Huge python captured in Tampa

TAMPA - Held captive in her car for hours, Maryse Lawson used her cell phone to capture video of the Burmese Python that sent her running for cover.

“I was honking at it hoping that it would move or something but it never did,” Lawson recalled.

The culprit? An eleven-foot python. It was eventually captured with the help of at least one firefighter from the station down the street. Hours later, the crew there proudly hoisted the snake up and posed for pictures.

Wildlife Rescue founder Vernon Yates says the snake was probably someone’s pet that either escaped or was let go; It seems to be underweight now.

“More than likely it’s hungry, looking for food and that’s usually when they become restless is when they’re hungry and start searching for food,” offered Yates.

Yates bagged up the snake to take back to the rescue and drove away. But getting to that point wasn’t easy.

Lawson said upon spotting the snake, she had no idea what to do. So she did what any frightened mom might do and called 911.

“It’s definitely not an average call but, you know, you gotta go to whatever emergencies happen,” explained Lt. Jennifer Potter of Tampa Fire Rescue.

Enter a small fleet of professionals generally trained for different types of emergencies, including two Tampa police officers and firefighter Aaron Taylor.

“We just tried to keep everybody away so nobody gets eaten,” explained Taylor.

Using a hook, a shovel, and a neighborhood trash can, the men managed to surround the python. It’s a sight that’s become all too familiar in the last year.

Wildlife officials say between people letting their animals go and the Everglades being overrun with pythons, the snakes seem to be everywhere.  The state just announced its python hunt will now continue year-round.

In the end -- in this hunt -- the snake was no match for law enforcement and the trash can.  Maryce Lawson was finally able to get out of her car.

Yates says the snake will be checked for a microchip, but he doesn’t think it will have one. The chip would prove who owned the snake, but the microchipping law only went into effect about a year ago.

If no one claims it, the snake will stay at the rescue until they find it a proper home.