Python burnt alive by 2 men capturing it in S’pore, case filed with NParks

Men burnt the python with flammable spray & lighter, stepped on its head

UPDATE (27 Nov, 6.06pm): In response to queries from MS News, Ms Jessica Kwok, NParks’ Group Director for Enforcement & Investigation, confirmed that NParks had received feedback on a case of alleged animal cruelty and is looking into the matter.

All cases related to animal cruelty are taken seriously by NParks, which investigates all feedback received, she said, adding:

We will take action against anyone who has committed an act of animal cruelty.

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Warning: Some readers may find the photos and descriptions in this article graphic and triggering. Discretion is advised.

In distressing video footage, a reticulated python was seen being burnt alive by two men who were capturing it in Singapore.

The clip was shared on Facebook by the Animal Concerns Research and Education Society of Singapore (ACRES).

ACRES co-CEO ‘overwhelmed with disgust’

In its post on Tuesday (26 Nov) night, ACRES Advocacy Co-CEO Anbarasi “Anbu” Boopal said the animal welfare charity received a report on a case of “horrific cruelty” that occurred on 20 Nov at an unknown location.

It caused her to be “overwhelmed with disgust, shock and frustration”.

This prompted her to share the video with the public.

Men burnt python that was entangled in machinery

The video showed the python entangled in some machinery and thus unable to pose a danger to the public.

Nevertheless, one of the men held it up using snake tongs while the other blasted it with flames created by a flammable spray and lighter.

The man holding the spray even moved the flames along the entire length of the snake, as if he was trying to make sure it was evenly burnt.

Men burnt python three times

When the flames ran out, the men started spraying a fresh stream of flammable spray and continued burning the python.

They burnt the python three times, each time lasting several seconds, Ms Boopal said.

More than one canister of flammable spray was seen in the video.

The snake didn’t appear to struggle, remaining immobile throughout the ordeal.

Man steps on python’s head

Finally, they had the python pinned down on the ground, but its misery wasn’t over yet — one of the men stepped on its head.

Eventually, the limp reptile was removed from the machinery with no resistance at all.

Despite what it had endured, it was still alive as its head moved slightly, seemingly trying to crawl underneath the machine.

It was then placed inside a plastic container, bound for an unknown fate.

Men appeared to be from pest control company

Ms Boopal said it was “scary” that the two men looked like they were wearing uniforms.

They also had snake-handling tools, which made her suspect that they could be from a pest control company.

She surmised that they were trying to capture the python.

‘Numerous cases’ of snake mishandling over last decade

In the last decade, ACRES has handled “numerous cases” of mishandling of snakes or monitor lizards by the public or pest control companies, she added.

She cited a case last year where a python died after being beaten and chopped with a cleaver at Boon Lay Place Market.

The man responsible was fined only S$1,000 despite the Wildlife Act prescribing a fine of up to S$10,000 and/or up to six months’ jail for first-time offenders.

Thus, she appealed for stricter deterrence measures.

ACRES and other wildlife and nature groups have also conducted community outreach efforts to raise awareness among the public about co-existing with wildlife, “particularly those that people usually fear” like snakes and monitor lizards.

Thanks to these efforts, the public has plenty of information online on wildlife etiquette and safe wildlife encounters, she added, noting:

We know how to use the escalator safely. We know to stand behind the yellow line on a train platform. So surely we can also learn about wildlife that we so fear, so we can actually get rid of the fear and practice wildlife etiquette.

‘Suffering and pain is universal’: ACRES

Though humans may favour certain species of animals over others, “suffering and pain is universal”, Ms Boopal said, adding:

Whether the animal is an otter, a dog, a cat or a snake, they all can feel pain!

Therefore, she urged the public to have compassion for all animals in Singapore.

She also noted that Singapore’s Wildlife Act and Animals and Birds Act exist to safeguard animal welfare and protect these animals, who “cannot speak up for themselves”.

Case filed with NParks

ACRES has filed a case with the National Parks Board (NParks) regarding the burning of the python, Ms Boopal said.

She hopes that the enforcement action taken will be of stricter deterrence.

In response to queries from MS News, Ms Jessica Kwok, NParks’ Group Director for Enforcement & Investigation, confirmed that NParks had received feedback on a case of alleged animal cruelty and is looking into the matter.

All cases related to animal cruelty are taken seriously by NParks, which investigates all feedback received, she said, adding:

We will take action against anyone who has committed an act of animal cruelty.

Members of the public who encounter suspected cases of animal cruelty may:

• promptly report it to NParks
• provide potential evidence via the NParks website, or
• call NParks’ Animal Response Centre at 1800-476-1600

All forms of evidence are critical, including photographic and/or video-graphic evidence.

Reticulated pythons can eat mammals as large as deer

According to NParks, the reticulated python or malayopython reticulatus is native to Singapore and can be found across Southeast Asia.

They’re identified by their tan or yellowish-tan scales with geometric black lines along the top and sides of their body that widen and encircle white spots.

They can grow to be very large, up to almost 10m, and are good climbers limited to terrestrial areas.

They eat mammals that can be as small as mice but as large as deer and pigs.

Members of the public who encounter a snake are advised not to approach or handle it, but to stay calm and back away slowly, then call NParks or ACRES for assistance.

Also read: Snake Dies After Being Trapped With Dustbin In Bukit Panjang, Public Reminded Not To Catch Animals

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Featured image adapted from ACRES: Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (Singapore) on Facebook.