Owner distraught as famous snake confiscated

A PET snake which grabbed much attention after being seen swimming in a park lake in Changzhou City of Jiangsu Province, has been taken from its owner who didn't obtain certification to raise the protected animal.

The five-year-old patteraless, whose nickname is Xiao Guaiguai or little sweetie, will be housed in the Yancheng Wild Zoo while owner Tian Hui felt so distraught at the loss of his pet that he has left Changzhou.

Changzhou police and forestry authorities said Tian hasn't applied for the approval to raise the endangered specimen and thus couldn't raise the snake. In fact, he may face charges.

But Tian insisted that he didn't catch his pet in the wilderness and his act follows the wild animal protection rules that people are encouraged to feed the wildlife, Modern Express reported today.

Li Daibing, a Changzhou animal expert, said the patteraless species have evolved from python molurus, and is unable to survive in the wild.

It can't be categorized as a wild animal because it has been a popular pet in Europe, Japan and China and many of the snakes can only live under the care of human beings, Li told the paper.

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