Indian Rock Python rescued in Agra

Agra, Jan 23 (IANS) An eight-foot-long Indian Rock Python was rescued by the Wildlife SOS Rapid Response Unit from the Gangajal Water Supply Project site, near Babarpur Forest at Sikandra in Agra.

The reptile was found unhurt and has been safely released back in to its natural habitat, officials said.

Earlier on Monday, construction workers at the Gangajal Water Supply project site were shocked after discovering a large python in the premises.

The python was spotted near the large pipelines being laid for the Bulandshahr-Agra water supply project. The construction was halted for three hours.

A team comprising two snake rescue experts from the Wildlife Conservation NGO promptly reached the location.

After ensuring the workers were at a safe distance, they managed to successfully extricate the distressed reptile from the nearly 14 foot deep trench.

Trivendra Kumar, the Safety Officer on site, said: "The workers were laying the underground pipelines when one of them spotted the python and alerted us. The Wildlife SOS team was quite efficient and carried out the rescue operation with ease."

Baiju Raj M.V., Director Conservation Projects, Wildlife SOS, said: "The construction site is located in the vicinity of Babarpur forest in Baipur Range. Therefore, the python must have wandered out of the forest. It was kept in observation for some time after which the python was carefully released back in to its natural habitat."

"We are glad to see that people are becoming more sensitized towards these largely misunderstood reptiles and that instead of taking matters into their own hands, they immediately report such incidents to the authorities," said Kartick Satyanarayan, Co-founder of Wildlife SOS.