SARIKEI: Chaos ensued at SMK Bandar Sarikei this morning as a huge 13-foot-long reticulated python slithered into the spotlight during routine clean-up activities on the school grounds.
A 49-year-old school worker, engaged in the relocation of flower pots within the administrative block for maintenance, made the startling discovery; the reptile was lurking within a concrete drain, visible through a drain hole.
The worker immediately alerted school authorities and sought the help of the Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba).
Firemen from the Sarikei station were promptly dispatched to the scene after receiving a distress call at 8.15am.
Handling a python of such size and aggression proved to be a challenging task, taking the team about half an hour to subdue the reptile, weighing around 20kg.
Leveraging their expertise in snake handling, the rescue team captured the python and transported it to their station for further action.
