Villagers in Sundarganj, Gaibandha have beaten to death a young python, mistaking it for a venomous Russell's viper.

The people of the area killed the snake on the evening of Saturday, 22 June, in the Lalchamar area of the upazila's Kapasia union.

It is learnt that the villagers mistook the snake for a Russell's viper and killed it in panic. In fact it was a young python, which is not venomous and is generally not dangerous to people.

AHM Shariful Islam Mondal, an official of the Gaibandha forest department, said the incident happened because of a lack of awareness about protecting animals and the environment. Such mistakes can be avoided with correct information and training, he said.

Confirming the incident, Sundarganj Upazila Nirbahi Officer Tarikul Islam told Jago News that people in the area had panicked and beaten the young python to death thinking it was a Russell's viper. He advised residents to be more careful, to seek help from wildlife conservation bodies when needed and to call the national hotline.

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.