Endangered python spotted in AJK: by Tariq Naqash in The Dawn, June 26

MUZAFFARABAD, June 25: Wildlife officials in Azad Jammu and Kashmir are trying to find out the whereabouts of a ‘near threatened’ species of a python morulus sighted recently near here during the excavation of a tunnel of a power project.
“We have come to know from reliable external sources that a python morulus was recently spotted during the excavation of the tunnel of Neelum-Jhelum hydroelectric project but there is no news as to what happened to the near threatened species afterwards,” AJK wildlife and fisheries department director Sardar Javaid Ayub told Dawn here on Thursday.
The 969-megawatt NeelumJhelum Hydro Electric Project, which envisages diversion of River Neelum waters from Nauseri village through a 47-kilometre long tunnel, is being constructed by a consortium of two Chinese companies – CGGCCMEC – at a cost of Rs 90.9 billion.
The latest Red Data Book of the IUCN regards the python morulus as vulnerable species. The non-venomous snake, which is also reared as a pet in some south and far eastern countries, occurs in tropical and lower subtropical zones, inhabiting dense or open forests, rocky areas and river belts.
In Pakistan it was scattered in most parts through River Indus but currently faces the threat of extinction. Pythons are killed for their skins. Due to the large size (up to 6 metre in length), attractive markings and strength, the skin of Python Morulus is the most valuable of all of snake skins.
Mr Ayub said it was for the first time in at least three decades that the mighty snake was spotted in the north of AJK in Muzaffarabad.
“I have detailed a team to ascertain all information regarding sighting, capturing and present possession of the python,” Mr Ayub said, pointing out that hunting of the species was completely prohibited and punishable under the prevailing wildlife laws.
A brief footage made from a mobile phone and available with this correspondent shows that the python is more than 20-feet long and has greyish markings.
A local worker at the project site in Nauseri told a team of local journalists the other day that the huge snake came across the earth removing machine during the process of excavation, “taking all of us by surprise.” “The Chinese people (supervising the work) tranquilised the snake and later removed it from the site in a Shehzor mini-truck,” said the local worker who declined to give his name to avoid any problems.
The only Chinese who could converse in English slipped from the site to avoid the queries of the team, one of its members told Dawn on Thursday. http://epaper.dawn.com/ArticleText.aspx?article=26_06_2009_002_009