“Gentle giant”: Python confiscated from house in New Hartford, now lives in Fort Rickey in Rome and is called “Mango” | Local

ROME, NY – A 13-foot-long python and a house in New Hartford are two things you wouldn't expect to hear in the same sentence.

On August 28, City Environmental Police Officer Jeff Hull investigated a report of a person suspected of being in illegal possession of a large snake.

Imagine you see a four-meter-long snake in your neighbor's house.

After an investigation, it was determined that the snake was a Burmese python, which requires a permit to own.

The snake was 4.9 meters long and weighed 36 kilograms. It turned out to be in good health and still growing.

The large snake was removed from the house and donated to the Fort Rickey Discovery Zoo in Rome.

The zoo posted news about the snake on its Facebook page, announcing that the snake is a 3.5-year-old female Burmese python, albino.

And the former New Hartford resident has a new name: She is now known as Mango.

“Mango, an illegally kept pet, was voluntarily surrendered to the DEC. The owner was a little overwhelmed at how quickly she grew! We were surprised too, but we are up for the challenge of caring for this magnificent creature,” the Fort Rickey Discovery Zoo posted on Facebook.

The zoo is already planning to expand Mango's enclosure.

“You can currently see Mango in the Baileys Karate sponsored snake enclosure next to the gift shop,” the zoo posted.

Responding to comments on Facebook, the zoo said Mango was “a beloved family member of her owners and they spent a lot of time with her.”

The Rome Zoo added that officials who worked with Mango said “she was a gentle giant.”