A python believed to have strayed from the Sundarbans attempted to swallow a goat in Bagerhat’s Shyamnagar upazila, triggering panic among local residents.
The incident took place on Tuesday (16 June) in Bottola village under Dhansagar Union, near the Kolomteji patrol outpost of the Dhansagar Forest Station in the eastern Sundarbans.
A video of the incident, which went viral, shows the large python coiled around a black goat tied in nearby bushes and attempting to swallow it headfirst. The snake eventually abandoned its prey and retreated towards the forest after local residents gathered at the scene.
According to local sources, goat owner Rafiqul Islam had tied the animal near bushes along the Bhola River to graze. Hearing its distressed cries shortly before evening, he rushed to the spot and found a python wrapped around the goat and partially swallowing it.
Residents who responded to his calls for help said the snake had already swallowed nearly half of the goat’s body. As more people arrived and began shouting, the python released the animal and slowly crossed the Bhola River back towards the Sundarbans. Several residents recorded videos of the rare incident and shared them on social media.
Rafiqul said the goat had died by the time the snake released it.
Md Sundar Ali, the forest guard in charge of the Kolomteji patrol outpost, said forest officials reached the scene shortly after being informed but found that the python had already returned to the forest.
“We found the goat dead. It is believed the python crossed the Bhola River from the Sundarbans in search of food,” he said.
He urged residents not to panic if wild animals enter localities and to inform the Forest Department immediately. He also advised people to keep livestock secure and prevent children from wandering alone near forest-adjacent riverbanks and dense vegetation.
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