Python stuck in drainage pipe near Clarke Quay, concrete floor drilled to free it

Workers were cleaning an area at Hong Lim Park around 11am on Feb. 18 when they got the shock of their lives.

A reticulated python was found trapped within a narrow pipe fitting inside a drainage system.

The workers promptly informed National Parks Board (NParks) of the sighting.

Park contractors got involved as they drilled into the concrete to free the trapped python and the reptile was successfully removed from the drain.

NParks confirmed with Mothership that they were alerted to a sighting of a reticulated python (Malayopython reticulatus) trapped in a drainage hole at Hong Lim Park on Tuesday.

Took four to five hours to free the snake

Prashanta Kumar Mohanty, 40s, told Mothership that he was having his lunch break when he got a call from his manager informing him about what happened, as she knew his passion for wildlife photography.

The IT professional rushed down to the sighting, where he saw the snake stuck in the pipe.

As a man who has loved snakes and wildlife animals since young, Mohanty recalled feeling "a bit worried" about the snake and prayed for its welfare.

After spending about 30 minutes checking on the snake, he returned to the office when NParks officers said the rescue would take a few hours.

At around 4pm, Mohanty rushed back as park contractors began drilling the concrete to free the python.

The snake was successfully rescued four to five hours after it was first discovered.

It was then safely stored in a plastic bag and sent for a veterinary assessment.

Mohanty posted a video of the incident on Singapore Wildlife Sightings Facebook group, as he wanted to educate people on what they should do if they encounter such a situation.

"Snakes are an important part of the ecosystem and we shouldn't be afraid of them," Mohanty said, though he cautioned that people should not try to handle the situation by themselves and should call the NParks' Animal Response Centre for help.

Adding that there's been more news of wild animals becoming roadkill recently, he warned the public to drive carefully, especially on roads near wildlife areas such as Mandai.

"We, as humans, encroach upon their habitats in the name of development, leaving them with nowhere to go," said Mohanty. "It's our responsibility to protect them."

Python was safely removed and sent to Mandai Wildlife Group for veterinary assessment

NParks group director of wildlife management, How Choon Beng, told Mothership the python was safely removed from the drainage hole and sent to Mandai Wildlife Group for veterinary assessment.

"If it is found to be suitable for release, it will be released in a forested area away from human dwellings," he said.

Explaining that the reticulated python is native to Singapore and is occasionally encountered in urban areas, How added that pythons play an important role in regulating the ecosystem by keeping the population of pests, such as rodents, low.

What to do if you encounter a snake

Snakes are typically timid and only strike if provoked, cornered, or handled inappropriately.

Should a snake be seen in the trees, a drain, or in green spaces, it is advised to leave them alone as these are their natural habitats, according to Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (Acres).

If you happen to encounter a snake in a public area, stay calm and keep a distance.

You should also back away slowly, giving the reptile space to retreat.

"Do not approach or attempt to handle the snake," said NParks, adding that any pets should also be kept on a tight leash, as they might approach and alarm the snake.

You can call NParks' Animal Response Centre at 1800 476 1600 or Acres at 9783 7782 for help.

More information on snakes can be found on NParks’ website.

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Photos and video courtesy of Prashanta Kumar Mohanty