A large snake has been discovered roaming one of Ireland's biggest mountain ranges.
The five foot long female Burmese Python was discovered by a local farmer in the Wicklow Mountains National Park over the weekend.
The ISPCA says that the serpent was underweight, dehydrated and injured when it was found.
The snake was secured by a National Parks and Wildlife representative who was alerted by a local farmer and has been placed in the care of a reptile specialist.
Experts say that the snake, which has been named 'Sammi' by rescuers, is "hanging in there" but may not pull through after being exposed to an environment it is not used to.
Burmese Pythons can grow as long as 23 feet and are native to the jungles of Southeast Asia.
ISPCA Chief Inspector Conor Dowling said: “In addition to the potentially illegal release of a non-native species, there are numerous possible offences under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013.
"This snake did not make its own way up the Wicklow Mountains and we believe that it was abandoned and left in an environment not suited to an animal of this type.
"We suspect that it had been abandoned some days prior to her discovery but we also have reason to be concerned about the care that it was receiving prior to its release.
“Animals such as Sammi have very specialised environmental requirements and will suffer slow, lingering deaths in normal Irish weather conditions.
"During the exceptional summer last year, the ISPCA rescued two snakes which were active due to the warm weather.
"It raises the question how many animals of this type are out there dying slowly after being discarded by irresponsible owners that no longer want them.
"The ISPCA would like to see regulation of the breeding, selling and keeping of exotic pets”.
If anyone has any information about Sammi, the ISPCA would like to hear from them.
You can contact the ISPCA National Animal Cruelty Helpline on 1890 515 515 or email at helpline@ispca.ie in confidence.
