Gurgaon: Rescued Indian rock python in good health, set free in Aravallis
A three-year-old eight-foot-long Indian rock python that was rescued by a wildlife team on Saturday night was released in the Aravalli forest on Monday evening after observing it for two nights.
A three-year-old eight-foot-long Indian rock python that was rescued by a wildlife team on Saturday night was released in the Aravalli forest on Monday evening after observing it for two nights.
The python was spotted in a drain outside the room of a residence in Silani village, Sohna. (HT Photo)
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Tension had gripped the Sohna village after the python was sighted. The python was released after it was found in healthy condition and had even passed tests on Sunday and Monday, which is a healthy sign, said Krishna Kumar, a wildlife guard.
According to wildlife officials, the python weighs 15 kilograms and had ventured into the city from the Aravalli hills. The python was spotted in a drain outside the room of a residence in Silani village, Sohna.
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Officials said that the python had survived by eating rats in the village, as no pet was found to be missing.
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Officials said that the python had survived by eating rats in the village, as no pet was found to be missing.
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The villagers did not try to attack the python and immediately informed the wildlife rescue team. “This python is among the biggest to be spotted this year in the district. We have asked villagers to watch out for more snakes as their habitat get filled with water during rains and they move out of the dense forest,” said Dr Ashok Khasa, veterinary surgeon, wildlife.
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“We have urged the city residents and villagers of the district not to harm a snake if they spot one inside their house or in their neighbourhood. They mostly exit forests during the monsoon and are often spotted entering residences, where there are rats or hens,” said Khasa.
“Pythons are a non-venomous snake species and are harmless. They mostly target small prey, like rats. During the rescue operation, the team had to be very careful as its teeth are needle-sharp and may have to be amputated in case of a bite,” said Khasa.
Leena Dhankhar is Senior Editor and Bureau Chief, Gurugram, at Hindustan Times, where she has spent over 17 years chronicling the transformation of one of India's fastest-growing urban regions. From starting her career as a crime reporter to leading the Gurugram bureau, her journalism has been defined by investigative reporting, in-depth storytelling and an unwavering focus on public interest.
Over nearly two decades, she has reported extensively across crime, politics, civic governance, elections, real estate, environment, courts, sports, education and entertainment, covering Gurugram, Faridabad, Nuh and Palwal. Her reporting has exposed several major scams and systemic failures, including insurance frauds, waste management irregularities, illegal arms manufacturing units in Nuh, illegal mining in the Aravallis, organised crime networks and governance lapses affecting millions of residents.
Known for her investigative work and exclusive stories, Leena has reported on high-impact national issues, including the Nicaragua charter flight carrying Indian migrants that was turned back amid allegations of human trafficking, exposing the growing network of illegal immigration rackets. Her work has also focused on gang wars, prison administration, juvenile crime, women and child protection systems, the functioning of the Juvenile Justice Board and Child Welfare Committee, and environmental challenges such as pollution, waterlogging and deteriorating civic infrastructure.
Beyond hard news, Leena has extensively documented Haryana's rich heritage, forests and wildlife, bringing attention to the state's historical landmarks, biodiversity, conservation efforts and ecological challenges through immersive reportage and feature writing.
Her journalism has consistently gone beyond breaking news. She has documented Gurugram's rapid urbanisation through long-form narratives and enterprise reporting on issues ranging from pothole-ridden roads, flooding and waste management to the changing social fabric of India's Millennium City. She also writes widely read feature columns, including The Outsider, Changemaker, and Concern for Gurugram, profiling people, places and ideas shaping the city's identity.
Leena is the author of Gurugram School Murder, published by Juggernaut Books, a deeply reported account of one of India's most high-profile school murder investigations. She is currently working on her second book, an investigative work exploring some of India's most significant scams and fraud investigations.
Beyond print journalism, she has expanded her storytelling through public speaking and digital media. She is a TEDx speaker and has produced podcasts exploring Gurugram's transformation, civic challenges and untold stories. Her work reflects a commitment to narrative journalism that combines rigorous reporting with compelling storytelling.
A law graduate with an MBA in Human Resources, Leena brings a multidisciplinary perspective to her reporting, particularly on governance, public policy and legal affairs. She has travelled extensively across India to pursue investigative assignments, often reporting from remote locations and conflict-prone areas in search of stories that matter.
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