Inside the operating room: Watch tracking chip inserted into anesthetized Burmese python
One way to help in the effort to manage the invasive Burmese pythons slithering around South Florida is to enlist the help of a python.
It's not voluntary.
Pythons are used as "scout" snakes by having a transmitter surgically embedded inside them. These pythons are released into the wild and the hope is they will provide a trail to where other pythons are living so more of these snakes disrupting the ecosystem can be humanely eliminated.
The Naples Zoo is partnering with the Conservancy of Southwest Florida on this effort of "chipping" pythons. These four videos provide you with a behind-the-scenes view in the operating room as Naples Zoo veterinarian Dr. Kelsie Stovall performs the operation on one of the giant snakes.
MORE DETAILS: Read this Q&A with Dr. Stoval to see how it's done
Video No. 1 - That's a sleeping snake ready for surgery
Video No. 2 - Making the surgical incision on a giant python
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Video No. 3 - It takes a team of experts to get the job done
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Video No. 4 - Like any patient on the operating table, handle with care!
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Burmese pythons in Florida are found using implanted transmitter
