"The black python with light-golden glitch on the whole body is rare among many species”, said Divisional Forest Officer Abul Bashar in Chittagong Hill Tract (CHT). It is 18 feet in length and 5 to 16 inches thick, he said.

"Such rare species are gradually becoming extinct. Indigenous people and poachers catch those for their flesh and skin ", said Pablakhali Forest Range Officer Keramot Ali Mallick.

The python was caught by an indigenous man on the bank of Mainee river near the Longdu upazila health complex. He tried to take it away.

Informed by a doctor at hospital, forest employees from nearby Maineemukh check point seized the python. Next day, they brought it to Rangamati forest office and informed Safari Park officials.

Safari Park employee Aminullah Khandakar and Hannan received the python from the DFO yesterday morning.

Wildlife is disappearing from forests in the three hill districts due to rampant poaching. Many species of animals are fleeing to forests across the border, forest officials said.

This is evident from open sale of flesh of deer, snakes and other animals at Bonorupa and Tabalchhari markets in Rangamati town.

Python flesh is old at between Tk 300 and Tk. 350 per kg.

"We are aware of this but can not do anything because we not informed immediately” the DFO said.