WESTBROOK, ME (WCMH/CNN)–Citizens in the Portland suburb of Westbrook swear they’ve seen a giant snake on the loose–and police were able to confirm that report Wednesday.
Police say the large animal the snake was eating was possibly a beaver. A second officer arrived to the scene and they both watched it swim across the Presumpscot River where it disappeared in the thick underbrush.
Now, the hunt is on for the 10-foot serpent. Residents are alarmed because children swim and feed ducks in that section of the river.
On Wednesday, first responders stood along the riverbank, trying to spot the snake. They were joined by a crowd of people trying to catch a glimpse as well.
Some were curious–others were anxious.
Investigators believe the snake might lay low for a few days because of the size of the meal it was seen eating.
The police sighting follows a similar report from a resident last week. Some people say they were skeptical–but not any more.
“I thought that somebody just saw a log on the water or something moving and their imagination got away with them, but I believe the police officers. They’re well trained and they know what they saw,” said Gene Taylor, who works nearby.
Cheryl Tibbetts, who lives in the city, said she hopes officers can capture the snake.
“I think people are a little nervous about their pets, maybe their kids, or swimming in the water, so I think if they can find it and take it to another location where it’s safer I think that would be wise,” she said.
The snake is quickly gaining fame. It’s been nicknamed “Wessie” because of the name of the town–Westbrook. Some other people are calling it the “Presumpscot Python” because it was seen in the Presumpscot river. It has its very own Twitter account, and a sign at a local Subway reads, “Have you seen Wessie the snake?”
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