Bhubaneswar, Sept 14: A troubling video has emerged on social media showing villagers in Mayurbhanj's Kuliana block brutally killing a python, which is listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act.

The footage has ignited outrage among wildlife enthusiasts and conservationists. Reports indicate that the villagers, primarily from tribal communities, were unaware of the python's protected status.

In the viral video, a group of youths is seen viciously killing the python and dragging its lifeless body through the village streets. This act has triggered widespread condemnation from animal conservationists. The villagers now face legal repercussions, as killing protected snakes is an offense under the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972.

Baripada Forest Range Officer Uma Mahesh has launched an investigation and dispatched a team to the location. “We will take legal action against those involved in the killing,” Mahesh stated.

This incident is part of a broader issue in Mayurbhanj, where endangered species are often killed due to a lack of awareness. Former wildlife warden Banumitra Acharya emphasized the need for comprehensive awareness campaigns to protect endangered species.

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