Local residents rescued a live Burmese python, measuring approximately 10-foot in length, from the beach on Saint Martin’s Island on Thursday evening.
The snake was discovered around sunset on the eastern side of Deilpara beach in Ward No 3.
According to local sources, children playing on the shore first spotted the large reptile emerging from the sea, after which residents moved it to a safe location.
Following advice from the Forest Department, the python was placed under the temporary custody of the Saint Martin’s Union Parishad.
Abdul Aziz, an office assistant at the Department of Environment in Saint Martin, confirmed that the snake is being held there until it can be safely relocated or released.
Ayatullah Khomeini, a teacher at Saint Martin BN Islamic School and College, estimated that the python weighs between 20 and 25 kg and is approximately three to four years old. The snake has been identified as a Burmese python, scientifically known as Python bivittatus.
Tayyub Ullah, a resident of the island, suggested that the python likely drifted from the Myanmar coast. He explained that during the monsoon, heavy rainfall in Myanmar’s hilly regions creates powerful currents in the Naf, Mayu, and Kaladan rivers. These currents often wash wildlife, along with uprooted trees and debris, into the sea, eventually bringing them to the shores of Saint Martin.
Fayezul Islam, the acting chairman of Saint Martin’s Union Parishad, stated that the python would be transported to the Teknaf Range by trawler on Friday afternoon.
Teknaf Range Officer Abdur Rashid confirmed that the python appears to be in good health.
“The snake will be handed over to the Forest Department on Friday and subsequently released into a suitable habitat within the Teknaf reserved forest,” he said.
This is the second such discovery in recent weeks. On 5 June, another 15ft long python was rescued from a chilli field on the island and was later released into the Teknaf reserved forest by the authorities.
