PERSONNEL of the Office of the City Veterinarian (OCVet) have released a female reticulated python Friday, February 25, 2022, at the Pasonanca Natural Park, Zamboanga City.

Dr. Arnedo Agbayani, assistant city veterinarian, said the release of the python is in line with the City Government's program on wildlife preservation.

Agbayani described the reticulated python as 13 feet long and weighed 16 kilos.

The python was rescued by a resident and turned over the OCVet.

Agbayani said the python was found to be in fit condition following an assessment though some ticks were removed from it.

"It (the python) was subsequently released at the Pasonanca Natural park and watershed," he said.

The reticulated pythons (Python reticulatus) are said to be the world's longest snake.

They can grow up to 28.5 feet (8.7 meters) and are known to be fantastic swimmers, according to Reptile World Facts. (SunStar Zamboanga)