LIBERIA: FDA Rangers Rescue Female Python and Unborn Babies, Neutralize Unprovoked Death Sentence

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In a remarkable act of wildlife preservation, the Forestry Development Authority (FDA) Rangers in Liberia successfully rescued a female python and its unborn babies from an untimely death.

The rescue operation took place in the East Nimba Nature Reserve (ENNR) in Nimba County, where community dwellers had threatened the python’s existence during its delivery period, perceiving it as a dangerous species.

The incident highlights the ongoing efforts to protect endangered animals in the region.

On May 2, 2024, the female python was discovered on farmland in Gbobayee Town, located in the Northern Nimba landscape under Mount Blei.

The farm owner, aware of the conservation efforts and the importance of protecting endangered species, swiftly informed the town chief.

The chief then contacted the head of the Community Forest Guard of the Blei Joint Community Forest Management Body (JCFMB) to address the urgent situation.

FDA Ranger Catherine Kuku Dolo, Chief Park Warden of ENNR, received the report and promptly dispatched rangers and Eco guards to the area.

Their mission was to ensure the safety of the python and its eggs, which were at risk from the hostile community members. The rangers, Eco guards, and Community Forest Guards worked diligently to provide maximum protection for the python throughout the delivery process.

Chief Park Warden Dolo expressed the challenges faced during the operation. “Since this activity, we contacted our conservation partners to help our rangers and Eco guards but to no avail. We managed to work tirelessly to protect the python’s eggs up to the hatching stage,” she said.

The dedication of the team was evident as they successfully safeguarded the python and ensured the survival of its offspring.

The python eggs began hatching on June 12, 2024, resulting in the birth of nineteen baby pythons. These newborns are currently being housed at the East Nimba Nature Reserve office in Zortapa.

Chief Park Warden Dolo emphasized the importance of proper care and the next steps for the young pythons. “We have also been doing some research and calling other snake experts for consultations. They advised that we should release them as soon as possible deep in the wild with no human interaction.”

The efforts of the FDA Rangers have garnered praise from conservation authorities.

Madam Nora Bowier, FDA’s Deputy Managing Director for Conservation, Community, and Carbon (3Cs), commended the rangers for their dedication and called on partners to support the ongoing conservation initiatives.

“The work done by our rangers and Eco guards is exemplary. Their commitment to protecting endangered species is commendable,” she stated.

The incident underscores the importance of community awareness and involvement in wildlife conservation. The timely intervention of the farm owner and the coordinated efforts of the local authorities and FDA Rangers played a crucial role in the successful rescue operation. Their actions prevented the unnecessary loss of an entire generation of pythons and highlighted the significance of protecting endangered species.

In addition to the rescue operation, the FDA Rangers are continuing their efforts to educate and raise awareness about the importance of wildlife conservation in the region.

They are working closely with local communities to ensure the protection of endangered species and their habitats. This ongoing collaboration is vital for the long-term success of conservation initiatives in Liberia.

The story of the rescued python and its babies serves as an inspiring example of the impact that dedicated conservation efforts can have. It also highlights the need for continued support and resources for the rangers and Eco guards who work tirelessly to protect wildlife.

As the baby pythons prepare for their eventual release into the wild, the FDA Rangers remain committed to their mission of preserving Liberia’s natural.

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