Rachel Bloor, a resident of Brisbane, woke to a heavy weight on her chest that she initially believed was her pet dog. The weight turned out to be an unusually large python, a species native to the region, that had unexpectedly entered the residential building and coiled around her during the night. The animal was discovered by a building security guard shortly after 6:00 a.m., who called emergency services. The guard arrived within fifteen minutes, and local paramedics were brought on scene.
The paramedics applied a gentle restraint to the animal, holding it with a rope that prevented further movement while minimizing pressure on the patient. Bloor was placed on a standard hospital bed while a neurologist assessed her condition, and a toxicologist evaluated her for potential envenomation. Thankfully, no bites were reported, and Bloor reported feeling some pulling forces on her chest as the python adjusted its position, but she remained conscious throughout the incident.
The incident prompted a review of building entrances and wildlife management protocols in the apartment complex. The local wildlife officer confirmed that pythons are occasionally found in coastal Queensland and that they can traverse from nearby woodlands into urban areas. Careful monitoring of animal movements became a recommended safety measure, and a public notice has been issued to inform residents about precautions against unexpected wildlife encounters during the month of October, when sightings are more frequent.
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The incident drew media attention to safety protocols in residential buildings, especially in regions where Australian pythons are commonly found. Officials stated that the emergency response was swift, and the absence of serious injury was a positive outcome based on the timely intervention by building security and local health professionals.
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As a precautionary measure, the Brisbane City Council plans to install reinforced gates at all rear entrances of multi-unit dwellings, as wetlands adjacent to the city borders have been recorded breeding grounds for pythons. Community outreach regarding safety measures against potential wildlife intrusions will be undertaken in the upcoming neighborhood meetings.