SARATOK – Residents of Kampung Bunga Raya were met with a startling discovery yesterday when a large batik python was spotted lurking in a roadside drain directly in front of a local home. The Saratok District Civil Defence Force (APM) was immediately alerted to the scene to handle the potential threat.
The emergency call was received on the afternoon of 2 April 2026, prompting the dispatch of Alpha Squad, consisting of three trained APM personnel.
Upon arrival, the team located the reticulated python coiled within the concrete ditch, where it had sought refuge.
Utilising specialised snake-catching equipment, the squad managed to safely restrain and bag the reptile. The operation was conducted swiftly and professionally, ensuring that no injuries were sustained by the residents or the personnel involved.
“The operation went smoothly without any untoward incident, and the situation at the location is now back to being safe and under control,” a spokesperson for APM Saratok confirmed.
The capture of the batik python, a species known for its impressive size and strength, highlights the ongoing role of the Civil Defence Force in managing human-wildlife conflicts in residential areas.
With the onset of changing weather patterns, reptiles are frequently found seeking shelter or food near human settlements, particularly in drains and overgrown gardens.
Following the capture, the snake was transported back to the Saratok APM base before its eventual release back into a suitable wilderness habitat far from residential zones.
The APM continues to advise the public against attempting to capture or provoke snakes on their own. Instead, residents are encouraged to maintain cleanliness around their compounds and immediately contact the emergency services if a dangerous animal is sighted.
The quick action by the Alpha Squad yesterday ensured that the residents of Kampung Bunga Raya could return to their daily routines without further concern for their safety.
