VALDOSTA — A Hahira man was shocked to find a 20-foot python lurking around his yard on Stanfill Street Wednesday afternoon.

This exotic reptile, which had been missing for about nine weeks, was reported stolen to the Hahira Police Department by its owner, Tina Olson, who always kept the snake in a cage.

“Because the snake was always kept in the cage, everyone concluded that someone had taken the snake,” said Hahira Police Chief Terry Davis. “Although we now realize that the snake just escaped, we are certain that it had some type of help.”

For weeks, authorities searched several buildings for the python with no luck.

When the snake was found Wednesday, 911 was called. Hahira Police Lt. Gerald Lunger responded to the residence and he and Davis worked together to secure the snake and transport it to a local veterinarian’s office in a public works pickup truck. The Animal Control Office was also contacted.

“Because we had previous conversations with Ms. Olson about how to approach the snake if we came across it, he was very cooperative and did not give us any trouble,” Davis said.

The snake was picked up by Olson late Wednesday.

Olson has owned the python since it was three feet long 15 years ago. The python, which was raised around people, is often showcased at different functions and makes visits to day cares.

Although this discovery has been a rather humorous one for authorities, Hahira Police officers do request one thing from all of its citizens: “If anyone else has any exotic animals in your homes, please let someone know about it. We were unaware that we had a 20-foot python in town until it became missing.”