Mumbai constable rescues 9-foot Python from Dharavi

A Mumbai police constable rescued a nine-foot-long python from an internet duct near a park in the city’s Dharavi area, highlighting growing encounters between urban spaces and wildlife.

The incident occurred on December 13 when a worker noticed the snake while carrying out wire repair work inside a duct near the Dharavi depot. The worker immediately alerted the police, following which constable Sachin More, a trained snake rescuer attached to the police’s local arms unit, rushed to the spot.

Constable More safely rescued the python from the duct and handed it over to the forest department for further care and relocation. A video of the rescue operation later went viral on social media, and the Mumbai Police also shared the footage on their official X account, drawing widespread appreciation for the swift response.

In a related development, two Indian Giant Squirrels, rescued a few months ago in separate incidents, have been released back into the wild after successful treatment and rehabilitation in Mumbai. The Indian Giant Squirrel , locally known as Shekru , is the state animal of Maharashtra.

The forest department had handed over the rescued squirrels to the Resqink Association for Wildlife Welfare (RAWW) for medical treatment and rehabilitation. After nearly three months of care, the animals were declared fit and released into their natural habitat last week, RAWW founder Pawan Sharma said on Tuesday.

Wildlife experts have warned that species such as the Indian Giant Squirrel face increasing threats due to habitat loss and fragmentation, leading to frequent rescue cases in urban and semi-urban areas.

The recent rescues and releases underscore the importance of coordinated efforts between citizens, police, wildlife rescuers and the forest department in ensuring the safety of both people and animals amid rapid urban expansion.