Urban jungle: A family in Kuala Pilah, Negri Sembilan, had an uninvited guest in the form of a reticulated python recently, while baby pythons were spotted in a drain in Section 20, Shah Alam, last month.
PETALING JAYA: Most emergency calls involving wildlife encounters, such as snakes in residential areas, are concentrated in Selangor.
According to a Civil Defence Force (APM) spokesman, there have been 13,179 snakes caught and 3,376 wildlife capture cases in Selangor’s residential areas up to Sept 6 this year.
“The number of cases is highest in Selangor as it has the highest population density in the country,” according to the Statistics Department.
“Our data shows that most wildlife or venomous animal encounters occur inside homes or near residential areas, though there are also reports from parks and other recreational areas,” the spokesman said when contacted.MERS 999 records confirm that most emergency calls involve wild animals in residential settings.
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“Other wild animals such as eagles, slow lorises, iguanas, monitor lizards, owls or owlets, and civet cats, mostly found in complainants’ house ceiling, are also commonly reported to APM.
“Among non-venomous animals, the most frequently reported cases to MERS 999 involve reticulated pythons,” said the spokesman.
He added that there is an increase in calls during hot weather or floods, as wildlife seek shelter, food and water.
“These are the main factors contributing to the rise in cases of wild or venomous animal encounters, in addition to other factors like their habitats being disturbed, encroached upon or destroyed,” he said.
In urban areas like Kuala Lumpur, the Fire and Rescue Department has been dealing with cases involving non-venomous snakes, such as reticulated pythons.
Its director-general Datuk Nor Hisham Mohammad said reticulated pythons have a high tolerance and can thrive despite drastic weather and environmental changes.
“Rats living in drains and around human residences or premises serve as their food source,” he said.
Referring to the department’s statistics, Nor Hisham said the highest number of emergency calls related to snake and animal encounters, as well as venomous insect control, was recorded from July to October 2023 due to the dry and hot conditions then.
From 2022 to June this year, the Selangor Fire and Rescue Department received the most calls at 85,731, followed by Johor (31,164 calls) and Sarawak (20,973).
Nor Hisham said the department frequently conducts safety campaigns, including exhibitions, demonstrations and safety talks starting at the school level.
He advised the public to take preventive measures, such as securing livestock enclosures, maintaining cleanliness and sealing potential entry points for wildlife, especially in bathrooms.
He also reminded the public to immediately call 999 for assistance when encountering a wild animal in a residential area.
He added that in such situations, one should observe the wildlife from a safe distance to ensure the animal does not escape far, making it easier for firefighters to capture it; and to avoid provoking the animal as this could lead to an attack.
