Man in forest spots 'curly stick' that starts to glow, is stunned by once-in-a-lifetime encounter
He got lucky again.
Stomp's resident wildlife expert and founder of Wildlife Asia Singapore, John Lee, has had another remarkable encounter that most people can only dream of.
He was in a forest at 9.40pm on May 30 when he came across a red-tailed pipe snake.
Stomper John recounted: "When entering the forest in search of other snakes and wildlife for my studies and documentation, I stumbled across something on the ground.
It looked like a dead wooden stick, but curly. As I got closer, it started to glow and show brilliant, iridescent colours."
Despite his extensive work with wildlife, it was John's first time seeing the critically endangered snake.
Also known as the red cylinder snake (Cylindrophis ruffus), it is a non-venomous species found in Southeast Asia and can grow up to one-metre-long.
"It's the most beautiful snake in the world and very rare," the Stomper added. "I was initially flabbergasted to come across it and in total surprise."
John declined to share the creature's location for its protection. He explained: "The rarity of this critically endangered animal might attract big groups of photographers to bash through the place in search of it."
John said he did not specifically set out to find the reptile and called it a "once-in-a lifetime encounter".
Asked how he got so lucky, he told Stomp: "People often joke with me that I was born with an affinity for nature, haha! 🤣
"It was indeed an amazing feeling to see such a gorgeous and beautiful snake for the first time in my life, and in all the years I have spent studying and documenting wildlife.
"I hope to visit and find the snake again this week."
