The 2m-long snake suffered injuries after being mishandled by onlookers during a rescue operation.
SINGAPORE – A reticulated python, approximately 2 meters long, sustained injuries after members of the public attempted to remove it from a car’s engine compartment in Marine Parade on Saturday morning. The incident unfolded at an open-air Housing Board carpark in Marine Crescent, with Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (Acres) intervening to rescue the animal.
Crowd Escalates Python’s Predicament
The rescue call came at 8am, with Acres’ co-chief executive, Kalai Vanan Balakrishnan, reporting that the snake was found in the undercarriage of a sports utility vehicle. The python had sought refuge in the warm engine compartment, likely due to stress from the gathering crowd.
Mr. Vanan explained:
“The engine compartment provides warmth and shelter for snakes, but when threatened, they instinctively hide further.”
Crowds poking and attempting to capture the snake caused it to coil tightly around a tube, complicating rescue efforts.
Mishandling Leads to Injuries
While Acres’ team awaited a veterinarian to sedate and safely extract the python, a bystander attempted to intervene. Using a stick, several individuals pulled the snake by its tail, causing significant injuries. The python suffered:
Scrapes on its skin.
Bleeding in its mouth.
Despite efforts to avoid harm to both the vehicle and the snake, mishandling exacerbated the situation. The injured python was eventually placed into a flour bag by onlookers before Acres arrived to take over.
Expert Advice on Python Encounters
Mr. Vanan urged the public to avoid provoking or handling snakes, emphasizing:
“Maintain a safe distance and monitor the animal while contacting Acres for assistance.”
Reticulated pythons, native to Singapore, are shy and generally not dangerous.
The injured snake will be microchipped and released after treatment. The incident highlights the importance of professional intervention in wildlife rescues.
