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African ball python discovered in downtown Peterborough

Click to play video: 'African ball python discovered in downtown Peterborough returned safely to owner'
African ball python discovered in downtown Peterborough returned safely to owner
Large snakes aren't known to frequent downtown Peterborough, but Tuesday morning, a 4-foot ball python was spotted on George Street. – Jul 7, 2020

A large python was reportedly found in downtown Peterborough, Ont., on Tuesday morning.

According to the Indian River Reptile and Dinosaur Park, the Peterborough Police Service asked the business to retrieve the animal after receiving a call around 6 a.m. about a large snake on the loose outside 464 George St. in the city’s downtown area, just north of the Blackhorse Pub.

Zoo curator Bry Loyst says Indian River employees raced to the address and captured the 4.5-foot snake which he says is an African ball python. It is currently in quarantine at the zoo, which is located on Highway 7 about 20 kilometres east of Peterborough.

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The snake was found outside a residence on George Street.
The snake was found outside a residence on George Street. Paige Jones/Special to Global News Peterborough

Loyst says staff are not sure yet whether the snake was purposely released or if it escaped. He noted the animal is legal in the city and that the nonvenomous constrictor is not considered dangerous and mainly eats rats and mice.

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https://twitter.com/Chief_SGilbert/status/1280491923602649088?s=20

He says it’s very likely the snake was someone’s pet.

Around 3:35 p.m., Bryst said a woman called the zoo to claim the snake which she says is named Georgia. The woman said she rescued it from a humane society more than three years ago and that the snake had escaped that morning.

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