Bishan resident captures 3m-long python near playground with neighbours' help as children watch
A commotion ensued in a Bishan neighbourhood when a resident, assisted by several others, captured a 3 metre-long python hidden in a drain next to a playground on the evening of Jan 21.
Roy Low, 48, was chatting with other residents in Bishan Street 13 at around 6.45pm when they overheard some children shouting that a python was hiding in a drain near the playground at Block 157.
When Mr Low and others went over to take a look, they saw the reptile coiled up in the shallow drain. His first thought: "Catch the snake first in case it harms any animal in the area, like pet dogs. It's better to get it out of the way, in case it hurts toddlers or little kids."
Mr Low, an independent assessor for rope access, then reached into the drain and, with the help of another resident named Raja, lifted the python by its tail as an excited crowd looked on.
He wrangled the thrashing snake to an open area, where they secured it in a bin until staff from Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (Acres) arrived.
Acres wildlife rescue officers arrived minutes after the reptile was caught. One of them told Stomp that the snake, a reticulated python, was about three metres long. This is the average length of the species, though some can grow beyond six metres.
He warned onlookers not to approach any snakes in the area as they are afraid of humans and may get defensive. "They don't have hands to push you away, so they might bite you instead," he said.
Mr Low, who has lived in Bishan for almost four decades, told Stomp that while he knows pythons are not venomous, he was careful not to let it get close enough to coil around any part of him.
He is no stranger to snakes either: "I used to hang out with the people at the old Singapore reptile park."
In response to Stomp's queries, Acres' chief executive Kalaivanan Balakhrishnan said that reticulated python, like all other native snake species, will be released back into the wild if they are deemed healthy and fit.
According to an Acres advisory, members of the public should remain calm if they encounter a snake and avoid attempting to handle it.
If a snake is spotted in an urban area or appears injured, the public should keep a safe distance and contact the Acres Wildlife Rescue Hotline at 9783 7782 for assistance.
