Python Rescued from Cruel Dance Performance in Hyderabad

An Indian rock python, reportedly exploited in a dance performance during a Ganesh immersion procession, was rescued by animal welfare activists and police in Hyderabad on Sunday, September 20, 2026. Following a five-day pursuit of a Visakhapatnam-based dance troupe, activists from the Greater Hyderabad Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (GHSPCA), in collaboration with Madhuranagar Police, apprehended a handler in Jawaharnagar. The rescued python, a species protected under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, was found in possession alongside a hen subjected to cruel treatment. Veterinary examination revealed the python suffered from an oral cavity infection and dental issues. The GHSPCA stated that the reptile will receive ongoing treatment and, once recovered, will be released into its natural habitat, pending authorization from wildlife authorities.