Newman rescued python goes viral

A Newman couple made a stir on social media after a photo of a 4m Pilbara olive python they rescued went viral on Facebook last week.

Volunteer snake catchers Joshua Hudson and Ellie Gilpin were called to remove the 15kg snake after it was found trapped in a chicken coop at the Newman horse yards.

Mr Hudson said he believed the giant snake got stuck in the chicken pen over night after consuming a pheasant.

“After its delicious meal it was then too fat to fit out of the cage,” he said.

“Both me and my partner are both qualified snake catchers, it took the two of us to remove it.

“The snake was safely relocated to a new home about 15km out of Newman.”

Mr Hudson said he was blown away by the size of the python, adding it was the biggest snake he had encountered in his time as a snake catcher.

“I just love snakes, something about them,” he said.

“I’ve only seen a snake about one metre long before.”

Mr Hudson urged residents not to attempt to capture or harm olive pythons found in town.

“If you find a snake and you’re not sure what it is, please give me a call on 0448 815 898,” he said.

“These snakes are on the endangered species list and it is illegal to kill any snake, big fines can apply.”

Olive pythons are non-venomous and are found across the Pilbara and Kimberley regions.