THE Zamboanga Sibugay Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (Penro) together with the personnel of the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (Cenro)-Imelda retrieved Wednesday, October 20, 2021, a Reticulated Python in Diplahan town in that province.

Rosevirico Tan, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) information officer, said the python was retrieved at Purok Sun Flower in Guinoman village, Diplahan.

Tan said Wendelyn Bation, a resident of Guinoman village, turned over the Reticulated Python to DENR personnel.

He said initial assessment of DENR personnel reveals that the snake has a small wound on its upper lip and weighs 12.892 kilograms with a length of 2.58 meters.

He said the snake is temporarily kept in the Wildlife Holding Facility of Penro Sibugay for further assessment and recovery.

He said the International Union for Conservation of Nature or IUCN categorized Reticulated Python as Least Concern but must be protected as it provides natural pest control service that keeps our delicate ecosystem balance.

The DENR reminded the public that harming or keeping wildlife species without a permit is a violation of Republic Act 9147 otherwise known as the Wildlife Resource Conservation and Protection Act. (SunStar Zamboanga)