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Boelen's Python New Guinea
This Boelen's Python is 3.1 mtrs (10ft 2 inches) long. Known in the mountains Papua New Guinea as Blek Moran (Black Python) or Papa Graun (Literally: "Owner of the Land!"). They also have been called "Blue" Moran because of the iridescent blue color they show in the sunlight. They are only found in the Highlands of Papua New Guinea and on Goodenough Island just off the coast. Ever since coming to PNG I have wanted to see one of these! I asked quite a few people about them. Even though they exist only here, very few people have seen one. They are endangered and fall under New Guinea's highest protection. I rescued this one from a group of men who would have eaten it if I had not bought it from them. Because I could not care for it properly, I released it in a safe environment. Three weeks after I parted with it someone brought me an 8 footer to sell. I quickly declined, not wanting to promote them being hunted out.
''Simalia boeleni'' is a species of python, a nonvenomous snake in the family Pythonidae. The species is endemic to the mountains of New Guinea. No subspecies are currently recognized.
comments (16)
Problematic discussion that one, but it doesn't change the fact that these animals need protecting :-/ Posted 2 months ago
Boelen's python (Simalia boeleni), also known as Blu Moran or Papa Graun, is one of Papua New Guinea’s most famous snakes! It’s nonvenomous and endemic to the mountains of New Guinea. In addition to being beautiful with its bluish-black dorsum and pale yellow venter, this snake is big! This particular individual was 3.1 meters (10 ft 2in) long!! The reason for its celebrity status is because this species is incredibly secretive, extremely difficult to find, and has received the highest legal protection possible in Papua New Guinea. This particular individual has a harrowing story with a happy and hopeful ending. It had been captured by a group of people, who intended to eat it, but was fortunately rescued and set free! {Spotted (and rescued) in Papua New Guinea by JungleDragon user, Matthew Young} #JungleDragon #Boelenspython #PapuaNewGuinea #Simaliaboeleni Posted 2 months ago
Conservation of anything, I have found, is something that is rarely taught or practiced here in New Guinea. When talking with people about the Boelen's, I always tell them how special and rare it is. I also tell people to protect them because once they are gone from PNG they will be gone from the world (in the wild at least) Posted 2 months ago
I think this story is wonderful and I obviously have nothing against people. It pains me to even write this, but I want to explain why I discourage such photos currently.
Main reason is that JungleDragon truly is optimized for wildlife photos only. The problem with people on photos is that they can pop up in places where they confuse. For example, cover photos of taxons are automatically calculated and when they show people, navigation makes little sense in such an example.
A secondary reason is that I have to bring the illusion of a somewhat consistent policy, as we discouraged or even deleted them before. This reason is less important though.
All in all, it's a system limitation. In the future we need a "relaxed" part that does not go into the main stream. There we can then upload "making of" material, reference illustrations, etc.
Hope you understand, if not, just blame it on me. Posted 2 months ago
And by all means, please do keep posting. PNG is a unique natural treasure and you're the only one posting from there. Your contributions have incredible value and joy.
No pressure, of course :) Posted 2 months ago