Bro Captures World-Record-Setting Wild Python… You’ll Never Guess Who Snagged It!

If, like Indiana Jones, you have a problem with snakes, the good news is this story unfolded on the other side of the planet.

With those comforting words in place, let’s find out about the record-setting reptile, and the guy that bagged it!

Bagged ‘her’, if we’re going to be accurate.

The colossal critter could easily have been taken by poachers, by villagers who might (reasonably) have seen her as a threat to their homes and livestock, or even by locals hunting for some bush meat.

But the good guys found her first.

Having heard rumours of the super-sized snake in Indonesia, wildlife photographer and explorer Radu Frentiu teamed up with Diaz Nugraha wildlife guide, rescuer and licensed snake handler to find the robust reptile before poachers did.

When they found the snake — which weighs some 213 pounds on an empty stomach — they stretched her as straight as her musculature would allow (snakes add another 10% or so in length when sedated) and the official length is now in the record books.

Here’s an image of Radu Frentiu laying beside the snake.

She is believed to be the longest wild snake to be formally measured, with evidence seen by GWR confirming a length of 7.22 m (23 ft 8 in) from head to tail tip on 18 January.

After catching her, she was taken to a local reptile sanctuary run by conservationist Budi Purwanto, and was given the name ‘Ibu Baron’, or, in English, ‘The Baroness’.

Full credit for invoking an epic name.

For Nugraha, Frentiu and Parwanto, they are hoping that the rescue and documentation of Ibu Baron can raise awareness about the threats faced by giant snakes in Indonesia and inspire more effective conservation efforts.

Speaking to GWR, Frentiu said: “Our hope is for pythons and other giant snakes to no longer be seen as vermin, but rather as a symbol of the islands and necessary animals to the ecosystem. They can be a local wildlife treasure to generate tourism, encouraging ever-more popular herpetological safari trips (known as ‘herping’). All these things could bring revenue to local people, create awareness, serve conservation and boost local pride.” – GWR

Good job guys. This was literally ‘one for the record books’.