Python Persecution
Who would be a python?
Pythons everywhere must be feeling quite vulnerable recently, because they’ve made the news in a number of countries after having suffered terrible persecution at the hands (and teeth) of humans.
The most recent incident happened this week in Kenya. A certain Mr Nyaumbe reports having stood on something spongy near the village of Sabaki in the area of Malindi close to the Indian ocean. That spongy something was of course a 13 foot long python which was evidently hungry enough to start coiling itself around Mr Nyaumbe. There was no-one around to help, and an exhausting three hour struggle ensued. One of Mr Nyaumbe’s tactics was to bite the reptile in the tale, but for his trouble the snake somehow managed to haul Mr Nyaumbe up a tree. During a moment’s lack of concentration the snake seems to have slackened it’s grip on the victim who was able to free an arm and get hold of his mobile phone and call the police. Rescue arrived but it was no easy task for the police to disentangle the two. Mr Nyaumbe was eventually released, with difficulty, and the police managed to “arrest” the snake and store it overnight in some sort of sanctuary – but it escaped!
Image via Wikipedia
Then there is also the case of 33 year old brick layer Shane Harte from Keady in Northern Ireland. He too is accused of having bitten a python, but this was no act of excuseable self preservation. Mr Harte was provoked into biting the snake by his girlfriend who he was having a row with. After head butting the girlfriend Mr Harte took further action against her by killing the reptile which he had bought for her as a pet, though denies decapitation. Which is the worse crime I wonder, killing the snake or head butting the girlfriend? The case went to court.
And finally we travel to England, home of all true animal lovers. During this winter two dead pythons were found in a forest, draped in the trees. It is thought that the owner could no longer cope with the growing reptiles, but why dispose of them in this rather macabre way? And why not bury them so that the crime had at least a chance of being undiscovered? It seems that the snakes died first and were then draped over the branches, dangling down for walkers to see, which is bizarre.
Like I said, who would be a python these days?
Snake Bites Different Approaches Different Results
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8 Responses to “Python Persecution”
On April 16, 2009 at 9:51 am
Maybe it’s a case of get them before they get us
The snakes are turning. I do like pythons though – a pity to see them come to needless harm
On April 16, 2009 at 9:55 am
Re the England story. It is possible that they wee from Monty Pythons Flying Circus and had unfortunately parchuted into the trees.
On April 16, 2009 at 10:29 am
Great article Rask!
On April 16, 2009 at 12:07 pm
I love these guys…I use to own a few in my time…good stuff!
On April 16, 2009 at 12:13 pm
I thougt this was going to be about John Cleese…
)
I feel sorry for those poor pythons in the trees, though.
On April 16, 2009 at 2:46 pm
Just goes to show you;people are strange.
On April 17, 2009 at 7:12 pm
Just remember to never say: I’m just dying for a hug!
Thanks,
Clay
On April 17, 2009 at 8:38 pm
How unfortunate that so many of these stories come about because of humans who have no business owning exotic animals. Don’t know that your examples relate (well, the second chap does), but here in the states in is often exotic pets who are released that cause all trouble.
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