DAVAO CITY - A reticulated python (Malayopython reticulatus) kept by its owner for 10 years was turned over to the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (DENR-CENRO).
In a statement on Tuesday, February 16, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Davao City said the python named "Betina" was "turned over to DENR – CENRO Davao City by its alleged possessor from Catalunan Pequeño, Davao City early this month."
"The owner willingly surrendered the continuously growing snake with a weight equivalent to approximately 60-70 kilograms and 3.5 meters in length," it said.
The DENR Davao added that the owner of the python admitted that he cannot sustain the python's needs anymore.
"With assistance from the DENR-CENRO Davao City personnel headed by OIC-CENR Officer Marvin D. Parilla, Betina was immediately brought to Davao Crocodile Park, a nature sanctuary in Davao and one of DENR-XI’s conservation partners for safe-keeping and management," the DENR Davao said.
Reticulated Pythons, known to be the world's longest snake, are extant in the Philippines, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
Based on IUCN's assessment dated 02 September 2011 and published in 2018, it is "listed as Least Concern globally, in view of its wide distribution, adaptability and abundance even in some areas where it is subject to heavy exploitation."
"Population declines resulting from a combination of habitat loss and overexploitation justify treating this species as locally threatened in parts of Viet Nam, Lao PDR and Cambodia," it added.