A 20-foot-long python was rescued from a village near the Sundarbans in Sharankhola, Bagerhat, and later released back into the forest on Saturday.

The python, weighing approximately 55 kg, was retrieved by members of the Community Patrolling Group and the VTRT team on Friday afternoon from Sonatala village.

Rana Deb, assistant conservator of Forests in the Sharankhola Range, urged villagers living near the Sundarbans to remain cautious.

He advised that in case of further intrusions, residents should inform the Forest Department rather than attempt to handle the animals themselves.

The rising number of incidents of pythons entering human settlements has raised growing concerns among the local community, as the animals` presence disrupts daily life.

The python had previously attacked and killed a goat in the village before being spotted by locals. Upon being alerted, the rescue team responded promptly, and as the python sensed their presence, it released the dead goat and slithered into a nearby bush. The team then managed to rescue the python and later set it free in the Sundarbans.

The Forest Department stated that the intrusion of pythons and other wildlife into local settlements has been increasing due to the filling of rivers and canals in the Sundarbans, which forces animals to leave the forest in search of new habitats. In the last three months alone, five pythons have been rescued from the Sharankhola region, all of which were subsequently released back into the Sundarbans.

The python rescued on Friday is believed to be around three years old. This growing trend of wild animals entering villages has caused considerable fear among locals, especially as pythons have been attacking and killing livestock such as goats, cattle, and poultry.