Python dies after being dumped at nature reserve

A python has died after it was believed to have been abandoned in a city woodland, a wildlife rescue expert said.

Kevin Murphy, from Norfolk Wildlife Rescue, said he found the snake, which was about 4ft (1.2m) long, on Mousehold Heath on the outskirts of Norwich on Saturday.

It was believed to be a ball python, a non-venomous constrictor native to west and central Africa, which would have struggled to survive in the cold conditions, he said.

Murphy said it was "cruel" if someone had abandoned the snake and urged people struggling to care for their pet to instead seek help.

"Dumping it in the woods [was] unbelievably selfish, cruel, heartless and despicable," he added.

"No matter what's going on in the world... there's no need for individuals to dump animals, ring someone for help.

"It is a sad, sad end for the animal," he said.

Murphy said the python received veterinary treatment but its "outlook was not good" when he rescued the snake.

He believed the animal may have been abandoned rather than it had escaped due to being found some distance away form nearby houses.

"It did die of whatever the injuries were," he said.

"There were some wound marks on it, which leads me to believe that either it has been attacked while in the woods or something had bit it while it was in someone's care," he added.

Like all snakes, the ball python is a cold-blooded animal, which means it relied on the sun's warmth to generate heat.

It would have struggled to survive in the woods at Mousehold Heath, Murphy said.

"It was exceptionally cold the other night.

"Mousehold Heath seems to be a dumping ground for unwanted animals. If you have an animal that needs a new home, call someone. No-one's going to judge you," he said.

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