4m long python captured while hatching 90 eggs

TELUK INTAN: A four-metre long reticulated python was caught by Malaysian Civil Defence Department (JPAM) personnel, while hatching its eggs under a nibong palm in Kampung Sungai Kerang, Mukim Sungai Durian, today.

Hilir Perak district JPAM officer, Mohd Fadzly Mohamad Zawawi said the snake weighing nearly 100kg was hatching 90 eggs when found.

He said the python was discovered yesterday evening by a villager while cleaning his oil palm smallholding, but JPAM was only informed about it at 9.20am today.

"Four JPAM officers and personnel rushed to the scene. It took us about 20 minutes to lure the reptile out of the nest before catching it.

"The python was not too aggressive and according to villagers, seven or eight of the eggs had been eaten by monitor lizards based on residual evidence," he told reporters at the Hilir Perak JPAM office, here, today.

Mohd Fazly said the python and its eggs would be handed over to the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan), Teluk Intan Office, today.

He also said that 78 snake catching cases in Hilir Perak had been recorded by JPAM since January until today.
"On average, 19 cases were recorded in a month and the black cobra species mostly entered houses.
"Last night, there was a complaint about a snake having entered a wheeled luggage bag in Taman Sinar Jaya, here," he said.
He advised the public to immediately call 999 if they encounter these venomous creatures. — Bernama