SPAOH – A resident of Kampung Hilir Spaoh had a terrifying experience last night when he found a seven-foot batik python hiding under his house.
The incident took place at around 9.35pm when the complainant, who only wished to be identified as Nurul, heard unusual noises coming from beneath the wooden house. Upon checking, Nurul was shocked to see the large reptile slithering near his chicken coop, believed to be attempting to prey on one of his pet chickens.
Realising the danger, he quickly contacted the Spaoh Civil Defence Force (APM) for assistance.
Within minutes, the Spaoh APM Alpha Squad led by officer Augustine Dris Jabat, together with three team members, rushed to the scene. Using special equipment, the team managed to snare and capture the python just five minutes after arriving.
The reptile, which measured about seven feet in length, was safely secured before being transported back to the Spaoh District Operations Control Centre (PKOD). From there, it will be released back into its natural habitat away from human settlements.
APM Spaoh later issued an advisory, reminding the public to immediately contact authorities if they encounter snakes or other venomous animals near their homes. They stressed that attempting to handle such creatures without proper training and equipment could lead to unwanted injuries or even fatalities.
Residents in Spaoh and surrounding areas were also urged to save the emergency hotline numbers for future reference. For emergencies, the public can directly call PKOD APM Spaoh at 083-473006 or the national emergency line at 999.
Incidents involving pythons are not uncommon in rural Sarawak villages, where houses are often built near rivers, farms, and dense vegetation — natural habitats for such reptiles.
