Cuttack: A massive python was rescued on Friday from a village in Odisha’s Cuttack district where it was rumoured a few days back that a snake had swallowed an old man.
According to sources, the local people of Gayakbanka Jaria Sabar Sahi under Banki block spotted the snake in a forest close to the village in the morning. While they were alarmed by the huge size of the snake, some of them said it had swallowed the old man and planned to beat it to death.
However, on getting information, a local Forest official, Janmajay Dehury rushed to the spot and pacified the villagers. After managing to dissuade them from killing the snake, he informed the Snake Helpline.
Three members of the Sake Helpline, Lalit Mohan Panda, Amit Sahu and Durgamadhav Mohapatra went to the village. Though the snake had escape from the spot, they managed to trace it from the forest.
They rescued the snake and identified it as an adult python. On measuring the python, they found it to be 14 feet long and that it was in good health. Later, they along with Forest officials released the python in Damapada sanctuary located nearby.
It may be noted that the old man, who was rumoured to be swallowed by a snake, is missing till date.