Prony, the giant python dies

BACLAYON, BOHOL, Philippines — The famous giant python in captivity, "Prony," died of still unknown cause yesterday, according to Georgia, wife of Eugenio Salibay who took care of the animal.

Prony, who was with the Salibay family as the latter's pet for almost two decades, "hibernated" for the past days until she died.

The lifeless body of Prony was taken by authorities to determine the cause of her death, said Salibay, but the family wanted the python to be preserved and exhibited at her den for tourists to see. The family is now taking care also of two other pythons.

Salibay recounted that Prony has been fed with two hogs, weighing 65 kilos each, every month to keep her alive until her demise yesterday (August 14, 2013), Salibay said.

Salibay said she was told by the DENR that the lifespan of the Philippine python, which is endemic here, is only 15 years while in captivity, but will live up to 40 years if in the wilds.

Prony, while in a steel cage last year, weighed about 280 kilograms and measured 23 feet long with his center body circumference at 34 inches, Salibay said.

The family caught Prony in October 31, 1996 somewhere in the cemetery of Alburquerque town, about three kilometers from this town. She was at that time five feet long and weighed five kilos.

Since then, Prony became famous as the biggest python in captivity, and a big draw for local and foreign tourists, Salibay added. — (FREEMAN)