The Large python snake which has been visiting farms in Arusha is finally captured

Snakes on the plains.

A large python which is believed to have been visiting farms in the Arumeru parts of Arusha Region, has finally been captured.

Reports say the big reptile has been swallowing sheep at Dolly Estate of Usa-River Ward in Arumeru District, at the foot of Mount Meru.

It is not known how long the python has been slithering in the community and whether it was on its own, or other snakes were also around, but zoological experts assured the residents in the area not to worry.

They pointed out that normally when the weather is cold, snakes hardly eat because reptiles need heat to digest their food.

“At this time of the year, snakes are essentially not dangerous,” they maintained. Except the snake in question is reported to have just swallowed a farm animal … a sheep.

However, that particular python which was found in Dolly Estate, within the Usa-River Ward, had stuffed itself well with one of the sheep that passed through its mouth still forming a large lump in its anatomy.

Zoological expert and Lecturer from the Mweka College of Wildlife, Tito Lanoy said together with his team, they have succeeded in removing the snake from the community and taking it back to the nearby National Park.

“Because it had just swallowed a prey, the python was immobile, so it was easy for it to be lifted and moved away,” Lanoy explained. He happened to be at the right place during the right time.

Despite being near the Arusha National Park, areas around Arumeru district have not been experiencing cases of snakes entering homes or slithering around their farms like other wildlife species such as elephants or zebras.

People in the area however criticized the way the so-called experts were handling the snake as they did not put on gloves or any other protective gear.

In yet another similar incident, a large snake was spotted on trees within the coffee estates of Shangrila in Karatu District, perched between Lake Manyara and Ngorongoro Conservation.

Residents of Karatu however say they have been seeing the snake, or similar reptiles infesting the locality, but otherwise harmless as there have been on attacks on humans.