The Delhi Jal Board’s Bhagirathi Water Treatment Plant located at Karawal Nagar in the Capital had a surprising visitor, a 12-feet-long Indian Rock Python.

Weighing nearly 40 kilogram the reptile was rescued by the Wildlife SOS Rapid Response Unit.

On sighting the python in the plant, the staff got in touch with the Wildlife SOS on their 24-hour helpline number, who then rushed their team to the spot immediately.

Plant Manager, Himanshu Bharadwaj sharing details about the incident said: “We were informed by the UP Jal Nigam in Muradnagar about the potential spotting of a massive python, so we made arrangements by laying out a safety net. We anticipated that it might leave the premises on its own but our operators located the snake this morning on top of the intake chamber.”

The Response Unit took time and after an hour were able to remove the python from the intake chamber in the plant. The rescued creature is currently under observation and once it is found okay will be released in its natural habitat.

A non-venomous snake, the Indian Rock Python (python molurus) can grow up to 20 feet in length and is protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, thus having the same level of protection as the tiger or elephant.

Commending the DJB staff for alerting them, Wasim Akram, Deputy Director, Special Projects, Wildlife SOS, said: “We are thankful to the Delhi Jal Board staff  for taking the right measures and alerting our team. It is not unusual to find pythons around Delhi-NCR. They prefer damp, dark places, ideally close to water bodies. It is essential that we remain sensitive to the presence of wild animals and learn to co-exist.”

Also read: Eight-foot Indian Rock Python saved by wildlife rescue unit