Known as the “Live Anaconda of Bohol”, Prony is a Python Snake, which you will see if you avail a cheap Bohol tour package. This is one of the many creatures you will see when you visit Bohol. You will also see Tarsiers, Monkeys, Bees and Butterflies if you visit this wonderful island.
Prony, the Python Snake is located is located in a residential house in Alburquerque, a 5th class municipality in the province of Bohol. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 8,715 people in 1,670 households. The town currently holds the longest (23 feet or 7 meters as of 2005) and heaviest (300 kg or 660 lbs) python in captivity here in the Philippines.
Prony Python Bohol
The winding road leading to the sanctuary and the innate sights along the course keeps one feel the prime of nature.
Owned by Sofronio Salibay of Barangay Sta. Filomena, “Prony” got its name obviously from its owner. Fed with stray dogs, chickens and other animals, the Python’s length and weight ratio is already considered abnormal.
Locally known as “Baksan”, the Python Snake of Bohol is now Alburquerque’s star as it brings a few hundred tourists to the town everyday and the Animal Kingdom Federation, Inc. (AKFI), a SEC registered, non-profit and non-stock animal welfare organization registered with the Animal Welfare Division of the Bureau of Animal Industry recently vowed to build an animal sanctuary here.
Feeding is done during the full moon and the whole process is documented by GMA-7, a television network here in the Philippines. Worried by the information, AKFI requested Mayor Efren Tungol to stop Salibay from feeding the python with dogs since it is a clear violation of Republic Act No. 8485, otherwise known as the Animal Welfare Act. The Mayor cannot do anything but agree and tell Salibay about it.
Because of the curiosity of many locals and tourists, congestion has become a problem. The owners and government decided to have an entrance fee of P10.00/visit to control the people and money to buy the food for this self-developed and trained python named Prony.