A massive Burmese python that swallowed a chicken has been pursued and caught by officials after residents raise alarm.
The massive snake after it was captured by officials
Frightened locals have captured a 4.2 meters python weighing 50 kilograms in the southwestern city of Panzhihua, China.
The snake was subdued by six heavily armed firefighters rushed to scene. According to the owner of the orchard, the python had appeared before and even swallowed one of his chickens.
The owner thought it was just an occasional occurrence and didn't bother to call the police for help. However, on the afternoon of July 5, he was frightened to see the python once again in the his orchard and called the police immediately.
According to expert identification, the reptile is a Burmese Python, one of the six largest snakes in the world. It is not poisonous, but it is aggressive. It is also an endangered species under national protection. The snake will be released into nature by the town's forestry department.
Police reminded the public that snakes may appear more often in the summer. They are mostly non-poisonous.