On Wednesday morning, a 2.8-metre-long snake was captured after crushing a black goat to death at a Tsuen Wan farm on Castle Peak Road, reports Oriental Daily.
A villager saw the large python seemingly stalking a goat and called the police at around 6am.
Officers arrived on the scene, but alas, it was too late, for the goat was found dead after getting crushed by the snake.
A snake expert from Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden (KFBG) was called in to capture the Burmese python, which weighed in at 11 kilos, although how much of that was the goat is unclear.
After the snake was microchipped and given a medical check-up, it was released back into a suitable wild habitat away from residential areas.
A KFBG spokesperson said that since winter is coming (cue Game of Thrones theme song), snakes are now looking for one last big meal before they hibernate.
Pythons usually prey on native Hong Kong animals like birds, rodents, barking deer and wild boar, but if they are unable to find and catch their natural prey, they may turn to domesticated animals – including pets.
Check out the Illustrated Coconuts Guide to Hong Kong’s Venomous Snakes (which does not include Burmese pythons, FYI.)
Photo (Illustration): Kevin Enge/Florida Fish and Wildlife via Flickr
