Bad luck Python

/in /by

We encountered a very big python on a recent trip through a famous forest reserve in our district. Our first instinct was to kill it, but the driver was hesitant due to his superstitious beliefs about pythons. While debating our next move, a forest patrol car passed by and did nothing to the giant snake. Seeing this, the driver confirmed his beliefs, and we continued driving to our destination. We met the same patrol car later in the journey, and this time, the officers inspected our vehicle, searching for the python. We informed them that we, too, did nothing to the snake, but they detained us for several hours before letting us go. Why did the forest patrol detain us? Please guide me.
FK, Ruvuma

Pythons are protected under the Wildlife Conservation Act, Cap. 283 (R.E 2022) (the Act). Section 3 of the Act refers to scheduled animals specified in the third schedule to the Act. The third schedule contains a list of animals, including pythons. Further, section 47 of the Act provides that any person who- (a) not being a holder of a hunting licence, hunts, kills or wounds any specified animal or scheduled animal; or (b) being a holder of a hunting licence, hunts, kills or wounds- (i) a specified animal or a scheduled animal of a species, category, type or description other than that specified in the licence; (ii) a number of specified animals or scheduled animals larger than those authorised by the licence; or (iii) a specified animal or scheduled animal in an area other than the area specified in the licence, commits an offence which is imprisonable.

Reading these two provisions together indicates that it is an offence to kill or wound a python. If what you are saying is true, we can only speculate that the forest patrol may have suspected that you killed the python since they saw you earlier. Remember that wildlife is protected by law in Tanzania, and killing wildlife without permits or licenses amounts to an offence. There are few exceptions provided in the Act including cases of self-defence and accidental killing or wounding. A lawyer can guide you further on the specific details.