A 16-foot reticulated python escaped from its cage in Barangay Magsico, San Fernando, Cebu, sparking public concern and a response from local authorities earlier this week.
The owner raised the alarm on social media on Monday, July 21, reporting that the snake, named “Snaken,” had gone missing the previous night. The python, which has been kept as a pet for 10 years, measures 16 feet long, 12 inches thick, and weighs around 100 kilograms.
The Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) quickly responded, warning that the escaped python posed a risk—especially to children—due to its natural behavior as a constrictor. PVO officials emphasized the potential danger of large exotic pets being kept in residential areas without proper safety measures.
Provincial Administrator Atty. Ace Durano also stated that the PVO would coordinate with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to determine proper actions regarding the incident.
After two days of searching, barangay officials and concerned agencies located the python in a grassy area behind the owner’s home around 9 a.m. on Wednesday, July 23. It was safely rescued and returned to its enclosure.
The incident reignited concerns about responsible exotic pet ownership and the need for tighter monitoring of animals that could pose safety risks in communities.
