Rescued python returns to wild after Lakshadweep vacation

Time of India

2 days ago

Kochi: It was a homecoming for the young python, whose nearly eight-month sojourn in Lakshadweep ended with its return to its natural habitat here.
The Indian rock python, a Schedule 1 species under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, had landed in Kavaratti Island around Oct–Nov last year in a 'manchu' — a traditional wooden sailing vessel.
The python likely sneaked into the vessel while it was docked in Kozhikode and remained hidden among the cargo, forest officials said.
During unloading, workers spotted the baby python and, startled, threw it into the sea. True to its ilk, considered excellent swimmers, the python swam ashore and survived. With no natural predators on the island, the snake continued to grow until it was rescued by forest officials there last month.
Since Kavaratti lacks forest cover and is not part of the species' natural range, they decided to return it to Kerala.
"The workers threw the baby python out of fear, but it swam ashore and wandered around. We were getting calls from people who spotted the reptile at various locations," said C N Abdhul Raheem, range forest officer, Kavaratti.
"We conducted searches and set up traps to rescue it, but we were unsuccessful until midnight on June 17, when we received an alert about its presence near the residential quarters for harbour employees, behind the port assistant's office on the northern side of the Kavaratti jetty.
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We rushed to the spot, rescued it and brought it to the forest office," he said.
"As far as Lakshadweep is concerned, the python was our special guest. People barged into our office to see it. We kept it in a specially prepared cage. When we rescued it, the python had fed — possibly on a lamb or kitten — as its stomach was bloated. Though we tried feeding it chicks, it refused to eat and preferred to stay inside a jute sack placed in the cage.
When pythons are afraid, they often stop feeding," Raheem said.
The officers cared for the python for nine days before transporting it to Kochi after completing necessary procedures. "Since the archipelago is not its natural habitat, we contacted the Kerala forest department for safe relocation. With permission from higher-ups both in Kerala and Lakshadweep, we transported the snake in a cage placed in a separate room on a passenger ship, armed with an order from the department of port, shipping and aviation in Lakshadweep.
We escorted it to Cochin Port on June 27 and handed it over to Kerala forest officials," Raheem said.
In Kochi, the python was received by officers from the Mekkapala forest station near Perumbavoor. "A veterinary doctor examined it; confirmed that it was healthy and well cared for during its time in Kavaratti. As there were no injuries or health concerns, the doctor cleared it for release the same day. We released it within our station limits in the Kodanad range of Ernakulam district," said Manoj Kumar A, deputy range officer.
Indian rock pythons are typically found near water bodies along the fringes of forests.