Despite being an urban city, Singapore is still home to a diverse range of rare animals. Occasionally, residents may encounter them even in the heart of the city.
Such was the case recently when a group of Singaporeans spotted a massive python entangled in a high-voltage power line in Choa Chu Kang.
The Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (ACRES) was immediately notified, and a team of rescuers swiftly arrived to free the distressed python.
The python had coiled tightly around the power line, as captured in footage shared on TikTok. The line was suspended four to five meters above the ground, drawing a curious crowd who watched in awe as the rescue operation unfolded.
One of the rescuers dispatched to the scene was Mr. Kalai Vanan Balakrishnan, the co-chief executive officer of ACRES. He began the challenging task of dislodging the python from its perilous position.
After careful maneuvering, Mr. Kalai successfully lowered the power line, allowing the python to uncoil and be safely extricated.
In an interview with MS News, Mr. Kalai confirmed that ACRES received an alert about the incident from a concerned member of the public.
Although the python didn’t pose an immediate threat, the large gathering of onlookers and the python’s vulnerable position raised concerns. There was a risk of the snake falling to the ground or moving onto the road.
Taking precautions, Mr. Kalai and his team attempted to free the snake without tampering with the power line. Eventually, they made the decision to lower the line and safely secure the reticulated python.
Mr. Kalai explained that the python most likely climbed up a nearby pole to reach its entangled position. “We have observed that pythons tend to seek higher ground when they feel threatened or need to escape,” he shared.
The successful rescue of the giant python in Choa Chu Kang stands as a testament to the compassion and cooperation of the community in safeguarding the welfare of wildlife in Singapore’s urban environment.