In the South Sulawesi province of Indonesia, a tragic incident took place where a 30-foot python claimed the life of a 30-year-old mother, Siriati. The attack happened on July 2, 2024, while Siriati was walking alone in the jungle to meet her brother to buy medicine. Reports confirmed that the woman was swallowed by the python.
Her brother, concerned by her absence, alerted her husband, Adiansya. In an attempt to locate his wife, Adiansya discovered her sandals in the grass and to his horror, found a python in the act of swallowing Siriati. Despite killing the snake, Adiansya was unable to save his wife who had already been suffocated and crushed by the python.
Iyang, the Village Secretary, explained the incident by saying, “The victim wanted to go out to buy her child’s medicine. She was visiting her brother and had to go through the forest first.” He further added that Siriati was likely bitten by the python, suffocated and then swallowed whole.
Regrettably, these incidents are not uncommon in the region. A similar incident occurred a month earlier when a 45-year-old woman, Farida was swallowed by a 20-foot python in Kalempang. The snake was discovered by her husband, Noni, who found her belongings scattered in the forest. He said, “I feel sorry for her suffering.”
Indonesia’s extensive archipelago of over 17,000 islands provides the perfect conditions for the population of reticulated pythons, some of the world’s longest snakes. These predators use their sharp teeth to hold their prey and their enormous bodies to suffocate them before swallowing them whole. Since 2017, at least five individuals in Indonesia have lost their lives to these deadly creatures.
These incidents have deeply affected the local community in South Sulawesi. The region’s dense jungles and limited urban development contribute to the thriving and growing population of these snakes. The villagers have been advised to exercise caution when venturing into forested areas, particularly when alone.
In response to the increasing threat posed by python attacks, local authorities and residents are taking measures to enhance safety and awareness. The goal is to prevent further fatalities from such encounters with wildlife.