Asia's Only Python Park At Ulu Bendul

By Razali Pilus KUALA PILAH (Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia), July 12 (Bernama) -- If Peninsular Malaysia's northern state of Perlis is proud to play home to the biggest snake farm in Southeast Asia, then southern state of Negeri Sembilan has the honour of showcasing its own attraction by being the only python park in Asia. The Pythonidae, commonly known as pythons, is a family of non-venomous snakes found in Africa, Asia and Australia. Among its members are some of the largest snakes in the world like the anaconda. Located at the recreational forest of Ulu Bendul, this farm became operational on Oct 1, 2010 to exhibit pythons from Africa, Asia and Australia. The 4-hectare farm is under the charge of the State Forestry Department. TOURIST DRAW Negeri Sembilan Forestry Department director Ahmad Fadzil Abdul Majid says that the park was established to collect and conserve various Pythonidae species from extinction. The python park also serves as a research centre on this species of snake apart from being a tourist draw. "The python park is created at the UlU Bendul recreational forest as it is an ideal place for a recreational site. It is also known for its natural environment owing to its many trees and the flowing river, which remain ideal for the park," he told Bernama recently. This park started with seven snakes including green anaconda, green Burmese, Asiatic reticulated python, two blood pythons and two Burmese pythons. Two years since the launch, the park has 45 snakes from 11 Pythonidae species like the Colombia rainbow boa, Brazilian rainbow boa, Carpet python and Yellow anaconda. He said some of the snakes were born at the park while others were brought in from Brazil. CREATES HISTORY Ahmad Fadzil said that the park recently created history of sorts when two snakes of the Yellow anaconda species, which were reared there since July last year, had given birth to 30 young anacondas. He said a female anaconda gave birth to three young snakes on May 3rd, followed by 27 babies by the second female anaconda. This brings the number of anacondas in the park to 33. "The anacondas usually mate in October and November," he said, adding that the park authorities collaborated with the Veterinary Research Department to gauge the health of the snakes. TOURISTS He said the snakes are placed in well-kept glass enclosures for the view. More people are visiting the python park. Last year the park recorded some 10,000 visitors. As of April this year, more than 8,000 members of the public have come to view the snakes in the python park. "There are more visitors during the weekend, public and school holidays. The park also organised snake shows to attract more tourists," he said. -- BERNAMA