'Tired' pet python found after frantic 10-day search in popular Aussie suburb
Another of the dumped snakes remains on the loose.
A woman has thanked her community for its help in tracking down one of her two lost pythons after her ex-boyfriend allegedly set the pets free last week in an apparent act of revenge.
"ONE PYTHON FOUND!!" the 25-year-old wrote on Facebook on Tuesday afternoon, 10 days after she claimed her former partner had dumped the hand-reared reptiles on the side of the road.
The snake owner expressed her gratitude to "the entire community as a whole for having such a keen eye out for my babies" after she picked up her pet Bagel this morning from a local vet.
"She was thirsty and tired but otherwise not a scratch on her," the Sydney woman wrote, explaining that the female snake had been discovered in Coogee, opposite the local RSL club. "I can only imagine she thoroughly enjoyed her time as a 'wild' snake."
The woman offered her gratitude to WIRES, the NSW Wildlife Information, Rescue and Education Service, and the Randwick and Maroubra police force for their assistance in locating the snake.
Worried locals were overjoyed at the news. "So happy you found one," came a response. "A wonderful community response," wrote a second eastern suburbs resident. "Welcome home Bagel," added a third.
Unfortunately, the woman's other "baby" Mango, an albino python, is still missing. "As the weather warms up she might be spotted lounging in the sun, so if you see her please call WIRES or the local police!" she pleaded. "Again, I can’t thank you all enough for getting the word out and bringing home my pets."
Snakes dumped on the street
The snake owner's calls for help went viral last week when she took to social media to raise the alarm. Speaking to Yahoo News Australia at the time, the woman explained that she and her pets, aged five and six, had been living with her boyfriend on Mount Street before she ended things.
"When I broke up with him on the weekend he threatened to smash the enclosure and dump them," she alleged. He then took action, reportedly putting all of her items out on the nature strip including the snakes in an open box next to the smashed enclosure. But by the time the woman got there, the snakes were gone.
The 25-year-old ex has since been charged with two counts of destroying or damaging property.
Locals urged to keep an eye out
While both snakes are native to Australia, but not to Sydney, they were hand-reared so are in serious danger outside their enclosure. "Captive bred and raised animals do not thrive in the wild," wildlife expert Sam Chatfield told Yahoo. "They don't have the awareness of the dangers the wild presents, from cars to dogs. The likelihood they get killed is extremely high."
As the search continues for Mango, the National Parks and Wildlife Service is urging locals not to handle the animal if found."“Please call a local snake catcher or WIRES for assistance," a spokesperson said.
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