An incubating python and her eggs received full-scale security from wildlife officials in Odisha, eastern India.

Locals in Niala gathered at the site of a 12-foot python's den on May 5.

Wildlife officials, Subhendu Mallik and Lalit Mohan Panda, were called and upon arrival they noticed the python was protecting her eggs and ignoring the commotion.

Police eventually dispersed the crowd but Mallik was fearful that the crowd would return and disturb the python.

A 24-hour security system was put in place to protect the incubating snake.

Barricades were set up around the perimeter to keep the crowds away.

Mallik said: "There could be up to 30 eggs which may hatch in June or July. As the nesting site was disturbed we had to take extraordinary measures to protect the snake and her eggs.

“Our biggest accomplishment has been in convincing the local villagers of the conservation value of this effort. They have come forward to bear the cost of the nets and also formed groups to keep vigilant."

A heartwarming conversation story has come from Khordha district in eastern India.

A resident of Niala village saw a python's den at a nearby forest on May 5.

The word spread and a large crowd gathered to see the nearly 12-feet-long python coiled inside its burrow. Local forest officials were intimidated by the size of the snake and called Snake Helpline for help.


Subhendu Mallik and Lalit Mohan Panda went to the spot and saw that the python had laid a clutch of eggs, and was incubating them ignoring the commotion outside.

Though police arrived to disperse the crowd, Subhendu was apprehensive that the crowd may return later and harm or disturb the snake.

On his request, Divisional Forest Officer, Kedar Swain, ordered a 24-hour security to the python at her nesting place. Six forest guards were deputed to guard the python and the eggs round-the-clock working in shifts.

The nest was cordoned off with barricades at a perimeter of 40 feet to keep the crowd away. And then three monitor lizards were spotted in the vicinity of the nesting site.

To keep the eggs safe from monitor lizards, who are excellent nest robbers, fishing nets were spread over the fence that had been just erected. They also placed water near the nest to make sure the snake did not stray outside.

A Snake Helpline team will also fly a drone twice a day to monitor the snake.

Subhendu said: There could be up to 30 eggs which may hatch in June or July. As the nesting site was disturbed we had to take extraordinary measures to protect the snake and her eggs.”

“Our biggest accomplishment has been in convincing the local villagers of the conservation value of this effort. They have come forward to bear the cost of the nets and also formed groups to keep vigil,” he added.