2.5m-long python caught near Kallang coffee shop, uncle reaches out to touch it and gets bitten

Elaine Lee
The Straits Times
Nov 17, 2023

A man was taken to the hospital after being bitten by a 2.5m-long reticulated python that a group had caught in Kallang Bahru on the evening of Nov 16.

According to Shin Min Daily News, the snake had been spotted in a drain near a coffee shop at Block 66 Kallang Bahru.

Afraid that it would slither into the coffee shop, a group of people lifted the drain cover and caught the snake.

After the snake was caught, a man said to be in his 60s reached out to touch it and was bitten on the hand.

He was later taken to Tan Tock Seng Hospital by the Singapore Civil Defence Force, which responded to a call for assistance at 8.45pm.

The snake was later taken away by a wildlife rescue team from the Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (Acres), which arrived on the scene at 9.30pm.

“The snake will be microchipped and eventually released (into the wild). Pythons are shy animals that will move away from humans but can become defensive if provoked or attempted to be caught improperly,” said Acres co-chief executive Kalai Vanan Balakrishnan.

People should not try to catch wild animals such as snakes on their own, he advised.

“By attempting to catch wild animals like snakes on their own, it can be a danger to themselves, (the) surrounding public and to the animal itself,” said Mr Vanan.

“Most bite and injury incidents occur when people try to take matters into their own hands.”

Those who encounter a wild animal can contact the Acres wildlife rescue hotline for advice on 9783-7782.

In October, a 2m-long reticulated python was stuck in the engine compartment of a sport utility vehicle at a Housing Board open-air carpark in Marine Crescent.

In April, a reticulated python found at Boon Lay Place Market and Food Village died after it was beaten and killed by a group of men.