Forest department rescues illegal ball python from Kamakshipalya home

The North Bengaluru range of the state forest department has rescued an illegally kept exotic ball python from a house in Kamakshipalya. The reptile was taken into custody on Friday after the resident, Ataulah Khan, failed to produce the required ownership documents. The forest department announced the rescue on Saturday.

According to forest officials, the raid on Khan’s residence was conducted based on a specific tip-off. Upon searching the house, officers discovered the ball python being kept inside a glass chamber.

During questioning by the forest department, Khan revealed that he had purchased the exotic snake online. He told officials that he had seen a reel on a social media platform and subsequently contacted the owner of the animal. The seller reportedly had three ball pythons in his possession, of which Khan chose one. The reptile was then delivered directly to his doorstep through an online delivery platform.

A senior officer of the forest department explained that ball pythons are considered an exotic species under the Wildlife Protection Act (WPA), 1972. Because of this classification, citizens are not authorized to keep the reptile as a pet unless they have obtained official permission through the Parivesh portal.

Following the raid, the department initiated standard legal procedures. The accused, Khan, was given a three-day period to share his purchase documents and other relevant details regarding the transaction. Since he failed to produce the paperwork within the given timeframe, the forest department took the ball python into its custody on Friday.

A detailed inquiry into the matter is currently being conducted. An active search is underway to locate the vendor and establish his whereabouts, as the seller is believed to be based out of Bengaluru. The official added that the department is also working to ascertain the details of all other individuals involved in this unauthorized trade.