A dramatic video has emerged of a python caught swallowing a goat in southeast China.

The footage, shot last month in the Fujian Province, shows the moment villagers helplessly watch the snake eating their livestock.

According to reports, the 4.2-meter-long and 30.5 kilogram python was caught after several villagers complained about missing chickens and goats.

"The python had already swallowed a goat that weighed over 40 kilograms, so its belly was swollen. It could barely move since the goat was too heavy. So it spit out the goat, attempting to escape. Then we put it in a bag and took it to our snake zoo for preservation," said Xie Haiyong, a snake handler.

Villagers in southeast China's Fujian Province finally tracked down the culprit responsible for stealing its livestock on Tuesday as they captured a giant python while it was swallowing a goat.

All of the action was captured on video by one of the villagers in Anxi County.

According to reports, villagers reported that some of their goats and chickens had recently gone missing. On Tuesday night, they found their prime suspect, a 4.2-meter-long and 30.5-kilogram python, as it was trying to swallow yet another goat.

The local forestry police, quarantine officers and a snake handler immediately rushed to the scene to examine the captured animal.

"It's the largest kind among the whole family of snakes. It is also a first class national protected animal," said Li Sanyi, a local quarantine officer.

"The python had already swallowed a goat that weighed over 40 kilograms, so its belly was swollen. It could barely move since the goat was too heavy. So it spit out the goat, attempting to escape. Then we put it in a bag and took it to our snake zoo for preservation," said Xie Haiyong, a snake handler.

The python was later sent to a snake farm, much to the relief of the villagers.