Bitten and beaten, he still managed to save this python

The residents of a small locality in Howrah8217;s Domjur, 20 kms from Kolkata, can still recall the events of October 12: a victory procession carrying a gigantic python is not a sight to be forgotten soon.

The residents ofnbsp;a small locality in Howrah8217;s Domjur, 20 kms from Kolkata,nbsp;can still recall the events of October 12: a victory procession carrying a gigantic python is not a sight to be forgotten soon.

And they speak proudly of the courageous act of a local youthnbsp; 8212; Dheeraj Batabyalnbsp; 8212; who shielded the reptile with his body from a gang of locals intent on killing it. Over a fortnight after the incident, the python has finally found a safe home in Alipore Zoo.

According to Domjur residents, the python, whose slithering presence in the neighbourhood had given them sleepless nights, was proving elusive for months. Finally one evening, the locals managed to corner it.Luckily, Dheeraj was around and he realised that the poor creature was in considerable danger. 8220;I had seen pythons only infilms. I knew that they are non-poisonous and figure in the list of endangered animals. I decided to hand it over to the Forest Department before the people killed it,8221; Dheeraj recalled. 8220;Already they were poking it with bamboo sticks. I tried to stop them, but failed,8221; the youth recalled.

Finally he dived and guarded the python with his own body from the blows that followed. 8220;But he got bitten for his pains and we panicked when we saw blood dripping from his chest and arms,8221; said his brother Manoj.

When the mob realised that Dheeraj would not budge, they agreed to hand the python over to the Forest Department.

The 22-kg snake was kept in a cage at Dheeraj8217;s house. The police were informed but it was 14 hours before forest officials took it away.

The python, the locals say, had been left behind by a group of snake-charmers who had been camping in the area around nine months ago. 8220;The police had picked up the snake charmers, suspecting them to be burglars. The snakes were released,8221; a resident said.

Story continues below this ad

Quiet and submissive, 29-year-old Dheeraj is not a self-proclaimed 8220;wildlife lover8221;. But snakes always intrigued him. And to catch a glimpse of this python, he once waited on the roadside for four hours. 8220;I heard people saying that the python crosses the road after sundown. I tried to track it, but that proved impossible. So I knew that I had to save it this time,8221; Dheeraj said.