Saving Our Precious Pythons

The following story about pythons was submitted by Johannesburg Wildlife Veterinary Hospital in South Africa.

A few weeks ago, we admitted 10 confiscated Southern African pythons (Python natalensis). One female died soon after arrival due to severe malnutrition and extreme emaciation.

On arrival, the female was unresponsive. Despite CPR and our best efforts, we could not save her. This snake was almost 5 meters long (about 16 feet), and we estimated her to be around 25 years old. The loss we felt with her passing cannot actually be put into words. She suffered so terribly at the hands of her captor, and we felt her pain intensely.

The other pythons were luckier. After intense treatment and rehabilitation, including the use of an EmerAid diet, for severe dehydration to extreme malnutrition, seven of them were healthy enough to be released. The other two will stay with us until they, too, are 100 percent healthy.

Rehabilitation and release of wild animals, especially those caught from the wild and subjected to any length of captivity, isn’t as simple as just releasing them when they are healthy. Apart from all the correct permits, it includes a thorough research of potential release sites. This is not only to ensure that the habitat is suitable and that they can acclimatize to their new environment, but also to ensure their safety. We don’t just want them to survive, we want them to thrive.

Pythons spend a large part of their lives in or near water, and these were all released with this in mind. In the photos one can almost feel their joy as they enter the water.

A reminder: Southern African pythons are classified as CITES II internationally, and as a Threatened or Protected Species (ToPS) under the National Environmental Management Biodiversity Act (10/2004). Thus, they are in need of our protection in order to be around for future generations to see. Unfortunately, reptiles don’t always hold the “cuteness” factor for everyone like birds and mammals do, which makes the fight for their safety even tougher.

Alarmingly we have seen more than a thousand percent increase in traded Southern African pythons (SAP) admitted to our hospital in the last four years. In the first seven months of 2021, the number of SAP admissions as a result of illegal activity are already more than double that of the preceding four years combined! This level of illegal trade is not sustainable. If we all don’t work together to stop it, we won’t have these beautiful creatures around in our futures.

Special thanks to all involved, in particular: team member Grant Fairley, Andrew Jackson, Steve Dell, DEDECT (North West Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism) as well as the NSPCA (National Council of SPCAs).