Huge python captured after plaguing village

Villagers captured a seven-metre (23-ft) python which had been plaguing their southern Malaysian town when it became too engorged to move after swallowing a calf.

Villagers captured a seven-metre (23-ft) python which had been plaguing their southern Malaysian town when it became too engorged to move after swallowing a calf.

The huge snake was found yesterday prone in bushes near Kampung Tanggai village, 100 miles south of Kuala Lumpur, the New Straits Times said. A photograph accompanying the report showed a bulge in the snake's belly around one metre (3ft) long and half a metre (1.5ft) across.

Villagers said the animal had for the past few months been preying on chickens and other animals in the area, the paper reported.

The python, which weighed 65 kilograms (140 pounds) when captured, was handed to Wildlife and National Parks Department officers.