Python caught in NERIST

Itanagar, Oct 25 (UNI) A python measuring 7.5 feet and weighing 14 kg was caught in the North East Regional Institute of Science and Technology (NERIST) campus by two employees.

According to sources, an employee of the institute Suren Tana and security officer Mai Ranjit caught the reptile yesterday after they spotted it crawling near a staff quarter.

Dr A Arunachalam and Dr A Kumar from the forestry department of the Institute described the python as a rare species, having large dark spots with chocolate-coloured dermal skin. They presumed that it might have been carried over into the campus during the recent floods.

''The presence of such creatures indicates the pristine habitats which the locality is witnessing and calls for conservation of the species and the habitat per se,'' Dr Arunachalam commented.

The NERIST forestry department later handed over the python to the Itanagar zoo authorities, the sources added.

UNI UPB PL NY SSC1353