Hungry python causes traffic jam in QC

A 10-foot python, seeking to fill its stomach, crossed a busy thoroughfare and caused a major traffic jam in Quezon City yesterday.

The hungry reptile slithered out of the drainage on the center island of Quezon Avenue near Roxas District at around 10:30 a.m. causing vehicles to stop.

It then sought cover under a parked van.

Alex Alon, 53, a watchman of Barangay Roxas District, said motorists saw the python "slithering and crossing the road."

"Immediately, all cars and jeepneys stopped," Alon said. "Bystanders then surrounded the van where the snake took cover. It definitely caused the traffic jam."

Alon, who had just come from a nearby car shop, broke through the crowd and tried to rescue the "frightened" animal. 

"It was obviously scared and tried to resist being captured," he said.

When the barangay tanod finally caught the python, he touched its stomach, which was very soft, almost empty.

"I think it was starving. It probably came out to search for food. I think it could eat five large rats all at once and still be hungry," Alon said.

Barangay officials immediately called wildlife authorities for assistance and proper handling of the captured animal.

At around 2:30 p.m., Alon and other tanods took the python to the Wildlife Rescue Center in Quezon City for safekeeping.

Meanwhile, the Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau (PAWB) issued an advisory on what to do in case such creature is encountered.

The PAWB describes pythons as non-poisonous snakes that inhabit tropical forests as well as wooded areas and piles of dirt near human habitation.

Most pythons, including the reticulated python (python reticulatus) found in the Philippines and other countries in Southeast Asia, are primarily ground-dwellers, living in burrows or under some kind of ground shelter. 

They occasionally bask during daytime, but do most of the hunting at night.

Pythons are carnivorous, feeding on meat or flesh, with small mammals and birds as their common diet.

The PAWB warned that pythons should not be captured or killed since this is prohibited under the Wildlife Conservation and Protection Act (RA 9147).  Violators can be imprisoned for at least one year, or fined to as much as P200,000 under the law.

"Pythons play an important role in controlling the population of certain pests, like rats.  Unlike venomous snakes, pythons do not stun or kill prey through their bite, instead they have the ability to constrict their prey to death," Virgilio Vitug, officer-in-charge of the PAWB, said.

"If one sees a python, it is best for to just leave the animal alone and immediately call the PAWB, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources or the Manila Zoological and Botanical Gardens for assistance and appropriate action," he said.

PAWB can be contacted at 924-6031; DENR at 435-2410; and Manila Zoological and Botanical Gardens at 525-8157.