A 16ft python has been found on a busy road close to where four others were discovered just a week earlier.
The severely dehydrated and injured albino python was spotted on Kirton Road near Twigmoor Woods in Lincolnshire by members of the public on Saturday evening.
Humberside Police arrived on the scene soon after and officers contacted RSG Reptiles in Alford.
The rescue and animal encounter firm had already recovered one 18ft, 50kg ‘monster’ python at Twigmoor Woods and three others in the nearby village of Manton on June 13 and 14.
The five snakes, all reticulated pythons over 11ft long, are currently in the care of RSG.
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After the first four were found, police said there were reports of a fifth snake on the loose and warned people to be vigilant and keep dogs on a lead.
It’s suspected all were abandoned by the same owner, who has not yet been identified.
Officers from Humberside Police’s Rural Task Force are investigating potential offences under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
Rob Stokes, owner of RSG Reptiles, told Metro that when they arrived to collect the fifth python ‘police were on the scene redirecting traffic and the snake had been kept underneath a pop up tent to keep it contained’.
He said the female python was severely dehydrated and had an infected wound, so will need vet treatment.
‘We’ve been treating her with baths, and cleaning the wound every day and the swelling has gone down, but a trip to the vets has been arranged for this evening,’ he added.
‘She’s lucky she survived – especially considering she’s been out in the elements for more than a week and ended up on a busy road.’
One of the other snakes, also an albino, will likely need treatment as well he added, as it is covered in lumps.
‘The rest of the snakes seem really well, however. They all have lovely personalities and are all very friendly,’ he said.
Rob said rescuing five snakes in little more than a week was ‘very unusual, especially ones of this size’ and urged any reptile owners struggling to care for their pets to reach out for help instead of abandoning the animals.
‘The reptile community is so large there is always someone out there who would be able to remove these reptiles and look after them. There is no need to abandon them.
‘There are many people to contact if you cannot look after your reptiles anymore – we can take them and so can NCRW, RSPCA or any exotic pet shop.’
The reptiles will be treated as police evidence while an investigation is ongoing, Rob explained.
Once there’s a prosecution or no further action from police they will either be given new suitable homes or stay at RSG and potentially become part of the firm’s animal encounter experiences.
Rob said he wanted to thank members of the public for staying with the fifth python until they arrived.
‘They, along with the police, stood there in the heat waiting for us, to make sure the snake was safe. It shows how wonderful the community is and we want to say a heartfelt thanks.’
RSG Reptiles has set up a GoFundMe to help cover vet fees for the snakes. You can donate here.
Reticulated pythons are the world’s largest type of snake and native to South East Asia. They’re non venomous but can squeeze the life out of their prey.
However, RSG and the police said pythons – especially pets – will generally not attack humans unless they feel threatened.
Metro has contacted Humberside Police for comment.
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