Bloated python spotted in Eunos Crescent after eating a community cat

SINGAPORE: A python with a visibly bloated stomach was recently spotted at the foot of an HDB block in Eunos Crescent.

The reptile, seen at about 7.30am on Friday (6 Dec), drew the attention of nearby residents who speculated that it had swallowed a community cat.

The sighting was shared in the Singapore Wildlife Sightings Facebook group, where a user described the scene.

The user recounted seeing a group of residents gathered in one spot, prompting curiosity.

Upon approaching, the user observed the python with its swollen belly and overheard comments from onlookers suggesting it had likely consumed a cat.

“A lot of uncles and aunties were standing at one spot, so I wondered what happened.”

“The folks there were saying it has probably eaten a cat,” the user wrote.

Reports later confirmed that the snake had indeed swallowed the feline but later regurgitated it.

Public debate on wildlife and urban coexistence

The incident sparked an online debate about safety and coexistence with wildlife in urban areas.

Some commenters raised concerns about children’s safety, highlighting the potential dangers of outdoor play without supervision.

They also criticised the impact of deforestation on wildlife displacement, arguing that the removal of forests for housing forces animals like pythons into urban spaces.

Others countered that Eunos lacks nearby forests and pointed out that pythons are commonly found in urban areas due to their attraction to rats in drainage systems, not as a threat to children.

Reassuringly, some commenters noted that python attacks on humans are extremely rare in Singapore, as the reptiles typically target small animals like rats.

Some commenters advocated for teaching children about living harmoniously with wildlife as a long-term solution to such encounters.

One netizen claimed this was not the first time a python had swallowed a community cat in the area.

The user alleged that a python with a similar bloated appearance had been spotted three weeks earlier near Paya Lebar MRT Station and suspected it was responsible for the disappearance of another community cat missing for about a month.

NParks responds to the incident

The National Parks Board (NParks) confirmed that it was alerted to the incident at 12 Eunos Crescent.

Mr How Choon Beng, Wildlife Management Group Director at NParks, stated that the python had indeed swallowed a cat but regurgitated it shortly after.

“The python had indeed swallowed a cat but regurgitated it shortly after,” Mr How confirmed.

NParks officers safely removed the two-metre-long python and transferred it to the Mandai Wildlife Group.

Mr How noted that, if deemed suitable, the python would be released into a forested area away from human dwellings.

To ensure public safety, Mr How provided advice on handling snake encounters.

He urged the public to stay calm and back away slowly if they encounter a snake, giving it space to retreat.

“If members of the public encounter a snake in a public area, they should stay calm and back away slowly, giving it space to retreat. Leave snakes alone and do not approach them,” he advised.

For assistance with wildlife encounters, the public can contact NParks through its helpline at 1800-476-1600.