In a harrowing and tragic incident that shook the village of Kalempang in South Sulawesi province, a missing woman, identified as Farida, aged 45, was discovered devoured by a colossal reticulated python. The shocking discovery unfolded following her mysterious disappearance on Thursday night, as reported by local officials and first highlighted by AFP.
Farida’s husband, along with concerned residents of Kalempang, initiated a search operation upon her failure to return home on the fateful night. Village chief Suardi Rosi narrated the grim turn of events, stating that the husband stumbled upon Farida’s belongings, sparking suspicion and a subsequent search by villagers. Their efforts swiftly led them to a python exhibiting unusual characteristics with a visibly distended abdomen.
Upon mutual agreement, the villagers made the chilling decision to unravel the python’s stomach, where, to their horror, Farida’s head emerged (VIDEO) [1]. She was found fully clothed within the giant snake, which measured an astonishing 16 feet in length.
Noni, Farida’s grief-stricken husband, vented his remorse, reflecting on how events might have transpired differently had he accompanied his wife. “If I had been with her that day, the snake would not have dared to touch her,” he lamented, as conveyed by ViralPress [2]. Overwhelmed by sorrow, he extended apologies for the anguish endured by his beloved and family.
Although incidents of this nature are exceedingly rare, Indonesia has witnessed sporadic occurrences in the past. Notably, residents of Tinanggea district in Southeast Sulawesi exterminated a colossal 26-foot-python preying on a local farmer last year, while a similar incident unfurled in Southeast Sulawesi’s Muna town, where a woman met a tragic fate inside a 23-foot python in 2018.
The reticulated python, revered as the world’s longest snake, finds its natural habitat in Indonesia, the Philippines, India, and Borneo. Distinguished for their gargantuan size, with the largest recorded python measuring a staggering 32 feet and weighing a hefty 350 pounds according to Reptiles Magazine, they primarily subsist on rodents, although instances of consuming larger prey such as pigs, civets, bearcats, and primates have been documented.
In compliance with federal regulations, the importation of reticulated pythons into the United States is prohibited except under specified permits for zoological, educational, medical, and scientific purposes. While some reptile enthusiasts may opt to rear them as pets, caution is urged due to their immense size, necessitating adequate space and vigilant care from experienced handlers, as advised by Reptile Supply, according to Fox News [1].