Ananova.com May 21, 2001

Snake swallows newborn baby

A python has swallowed a newborn baby, according to reports on Zambian state TV.

The snake swallowed the baby within minutes of it being born near Serenje, a town in the centre of the country, ZNBC reports.

Joyce Mibenge was walking to work in fields just over a mile from her home when she went into labour.

A ZNBC reporter said the woman spent several minutes recovering from the birth but when she opened her eyes: "She saw a happy python licking the legs of the baby with the rest already swallowed."

She ran home, but villagers found no evidence of the snake when they searched for it.

The station said Ms Mibenge didn't know whether her baby had been a boy or a girl.

Oscar Kalasa, an employee with the country's Daily Mail newspaper told Ananova: "This story has really touched people here. When such a thing happens, it's impossible not to be shocked."

-- Lars (larsguy@yahoo.com), May 21, 2001

Answers

This is scurrilous speciesism.

-- (petulant@PETA.com), May 21, 2001.

How convenient for the mother if she didn't want to keep the child. And nobody thought to question the story. Has anybody seen a TV documentary where a python swallows a rat or something. It takes a LONG time. It can't just gulp something like a baby down.

Chalk this down to infanticide.

-- Don't Believe It (cant@fool.me), May 21, 2001.

I bet the bitch was wearing a trench coat too right maria?

-- it dont work for you (dont@bother.trollingmaria), May 22, 2001.