A reticulated python was caught alive outside the Malaysiakini office in Petaling Jaya early this morning.

The snake - estimated to be at least two-metre long - was found by the cleaners of the premises and the cafeteria operator as they turned up for work at 6.30am.

The Fire and Rescue Department and the PJ51 Business Park’s security team were promptly informed.

According to Malaysiakini graphics editor Azlan Zamhari, who was the first staff member to arrive at the office, the snake was seeking refuge in the water feature in the front porch of the premises.

“Security personnel from the PJ51 Business Park were quick to take action after they were informed about the python. They tied a rope to the python head and secured it to a wooden bench near the water feature.

“Twenty minutes later, a Fire Department team arrived to take the python away to the Department of Wildlife and National Parks,” Azlan said.

He thanked the canteen operator, identified only as Erwin, for his quick action in alerting the authorities.

However, grave concerns have since been raised about the fate of Malaysiakini’s chief mouser, an adopted stray cat given the name Shotgun, that was last seen on Oct 12.