10-ft Indian rock python travels 15 km, rescued after getting stranded in irrigation unit near Vadodara

Upon reaching the farm site 15 kilometres (km) from Vadodara city, the team discovered the massive python trapped within the water storage facility, a critical irrigation component where farmers collect borewell water for field distribution. The reptile had likely entered the borewell seeking shelter from heavy rains before it got trapped in the confined space.

After informing the forest department, the team developed an extraction plan to safely remove the python without harming the reptile. The complex one-and-a-half hour operation required specialised techniques and precision to manoeuvre the 10-foot-long reptile from a dangerous position. The rescue was successful, and the python was handed over to the forest department for assessment and release.

Kartick Satyanarayan, co-founder and CEO of Wildlife SOS, said, “Monsoon season consistently brings increased human-wildlife encounters as animals seek dry shelter in agricultural and residential areas. This rescue highlights the critical importance of having trained response teams ready to address complex situations where both wildlife welfare and farmer livelihoods intersect.”

Karan Singh Rajput, Range Forest Officer, Vadodara, emphasised, “This rescue exemplifies the excellent coordination between Wildlife SOS-GSPCA and the forest department. Indian rock pythons are a protected species that require careful handling, and such collaborative efforts ensure both animal welfare and public safety while maintaining the delicate balance of our agricultural ecosystems.”

Raj Bhavsar, Project Coordinator at Wildlife SOS and President of GSPCA, said, “The collaboration with local farmers and forest department officials made this rescue possible. When communities understand that pythons are harmless and beneficial, they’re more likely to call for professional help rather than attempt dangerous removal themselves.”