A 16ft python has been found dead in a canal, sparking a police appeal for information.
The reticulated python was found floating in a canal close to Norden Bridge in Rishton, Lancashire, by walkers on Sunday.
A reptile expert went to the scene and recovered the snake, which measured over 16ft 5in.
The python is believed to have been 12 to 15 years old and could have been living in the wild for a number of days before it died.
A post-mortem examination found signs of respiratory disease that could have contributed to its death.
Police are investigating how the python came to be in the canal and are appealing for anyone with information to come forward.
Ribble Valley Wildlife Crime Officer PC Carl Chew said: "Experts believe that a python of this size could have been capable of attacking a person so it is fortunate that no one came to any serious harm.
"There are specific offences under the Wildlife and Countryside Act and Animal Welfare Act in relation to releasing a python and we would urge anyone with any information as to where the python came from to contact us.
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http://news.sky.com/story/1438052/mystery-of-16ft-python-found-dead-in-canal
