Fifth large snake found dumped in woodland

The snake was discovered by a passing motorist near Scunthorpe on Saturday evening

A fifth snake has been found abandoned in North Lincolnshire.

The 16ft (5m) long reticulated python was discovered by a passing motorist on a road in Twigmoor Woods, near Scunthorpe, on Saturday evening.

The discovery comes after Humberside Police said its rural task force was investigating offences under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 after four snakes had been found in the same area on June 15.

Rescuer Harry Eynon, who was driving home when he spotted the snake and called police, said: "We were shocked to say the least, but also a little scared because it's not something you see every day in this country."

The animal was recovered by RSG Reptiles and taken to their specialist reptile rescue centre near Alford, where the four other snakes are being looked after.

Founder Rob Stokes said the snake was underweight and was "quite poorly" with a respiratory infection that would require treatment by a vet.

"It's been out in the British weather for more than 10 days," he said.

The previous four pythons were discovered in the Twigmoor and Cleatham areas of North Lincolnshire.

The snakes are non-venomous and are native to South East Asia and can grow up to 18ft (5.5m) in length.

Mr Stokes said he thought all five had been "dumped by the same people".

"Apart from being illegal, it's just cruel," he said.

"They're pets, so they are unlikely to attack people, although they could present a danger to wildlife."

He appealed to anybody struggling to keep exotic animals to get in touch rather than abandoning them in the wild.

The five snakes are being looked after at RSG Reptiles near Alford

The snake, named Dave by one of the people who found it, will live at the rescue centre with the other snakes.

RSG Reptiles has set up an online fundraising appeal to pay the costs of building enclosures for the snakes and vet fees.

Police said the fifth snake had been "taken away safely" and added that they had also received a report of another one found dead in the same area.

In a statement, police said: "Inquiries are continuing to establish the circumstances surrounding the reports and identify those involved, and we would appeal to anyone who has information to contact us."

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