15 Foot Long Python Trapped in Net on St. Martin’s Island
Photo: Agamir Somoy
A giant python was found trapped in a farming net on St. Martin's Island on Friday morning, drawing crowds of curious locals.
The incident occurred around 8:00 am in Ward No. 9 of South St. Martin’s. According to locals, resident Musa Ali discovered the python trapped in a net around his chili field in his yard and later rescued it with the help of neighbors.
Musa estimated the snake to be around 15 feet long, weighing between 20 and 25 kilograms, and possibly 3 to 5 years old.
He said the python had likely been roaming nearby screw pine gardens and surrounding bushes for a long time, with residents occasionally spotting it. “On Friday morning, we suddenly found it trapped in the chili field net. The snake is still alive. Seeing such a large python spread fear among local residents, and many people gathered at the scene,” he said.
Local resident Abdul Matlab said the python’s large size had sparked widespread curiosity and excitement in the area and that it is currently being kept safely under Musa Ali’s care.
Residents are also speculating about how the python arrived on the island. Tayeb Ullah noted that St. Martin’s is located only about 8 kilometers west of the Myanmar coast. During the monsoon season, heavy rainfall in Myanmar’s hilly regions causes strong currents in the Naf, Mayu, and Kaladan rivers, often carrying trees, bamboo, and debris to the island. He believes the python may have drifted to St. Martin’s on floating trees or bamboo.
M.A. Sohag, an official from the Department of Environment on St. Martin’s Island, said the python would be handed over to the relevant authorities upon arrival and necessary steps would be taken for its safe conservation or release in a suitable habitat.
