Python wounded by public during extraction from car in Marine Parade
Two-metre-long snake had coiled itself in car's undercarriage, making it difficult for Acres personnel to extract it out safely
SINGAPORE — A two-metre-long reticulated python was rescued from a sports utility vehicle at an open-air carpark in Marine Crescent on Saturday (28 October) morning, but suffered injuries after members of the public tried to pull it out of the car.
According to The Straits Times, the snake sustained injuries such as skin abrasions and bleeding in the mouth.
Rescuers from the Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (Acres) had arrived to see a gathered crowd near the vehicle, with some people attempting to catch the snake.
Chinese news outlet Shin Min Daily News reported that three men had prodded the snake with sticks, before one of them pulled it out by the tail, tied its mouth, and placed it inside a bag meant for storing flour.
Videos have surfaced on TikTok, one showing the python inside the car bonnet, and another showing the three men handling the snake with wooden sticks and a bag.
Acres' co-chief executive, Kalai Vanan Balakrishnan, told Yahoo Southeast Asia that the snake was later sedated by its vet and safely removed from the scene. It will be microchipped and released.
How the snake suffered injuries
Acres had received a call to rescue a python at around 8 to 8.30am on Saturday morning.
According to Shin Min Daily News, the car owner’s son had said that the python was lying on top of the engine compartment of the car. It later made its way to the car's undercarriage. The snake later coiled itself around a tube in the car's engine compartment, after a man had used a stick to poke at the snake.
As the space was very tight, and the head of the python was not accessible, a coil-lifting hook had to be used to reach the its tail. The back half of the python was then slowly eased out. However, Acres' rescue team was still unable to reach it without the help of a mechanic.
To avoid injuring the snake or damaging the vehicle, the rescue team decided to wait for a vet to arrive, and sedate the snake for safe removal. While awaiting the vet's arrival, the rescue team then headed off to attend to another urgent case nearby.
“Acres’ objective is to retrieve the snake safely, with no harm to the snake, people and property. We do not rush our rescues," said Kalai.
Unfortunately, a member of public decided to take matters into his own hands and pulled the snake out, which injured the animal.
What to do should you encounter a snake
Should the public encounter a snake, they should keep a safe distance, monitor it and call Acres' hotline at 97837782 for advice, said Kalai.
He warns against provoking or catching the snake, as there have been instances where the public have injured a snake or themselves while trying to catch it.
“Snakes in general are shy animals. Some species, like the reticulated python, have adapted to our urban landscape. They are not dangerous. They mind their own business unless someone provokes them," he said.
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