Python shock for Innsbruck teacher

By Rob Hyde

Fire-fighters were called when a lady in Innsbruck found a king python coiled beneath the kitchen sink.

27-year-old teacher Ulrike Schl., whose surname has been withheld for legal reasons, froze in terror when she bent down to reach for a cloth beneath the sink, and instead discovered the giant snake staring back at her.

She then called the emergency services for help.The fire-fighters were able to capture the snake by using special thick gloves, and then placed it into a wooden box.

The python, who is now in an animal sanctuary, was left by the previous tenant, who kept various reptiles.

Pythons are traditionally found not Europe, but in Asia and Africa. Despite this, concerns have been raised about the plight of pythons in southeast Asia because of Europe’s fierce demand for their skin for use in the fashion industry.

These non-venomous snakes are exported around the world each year at a rate of almost half a million.

Europe’s fashion industry is estimated to benefit from around 96% of this trade