A 14-foot reticulated python was recovered dead from a river in Baltimore's Gwynns Falls Park by the Instagram account trash_wheel_doctor. The account operator, Cy Appleby-Kellett, filmed the find and said the snake appeared to have been in the water for some time. Experts identified the species as a reticulated python — native to Southeast Asia and not to Maryland — and officials say the incident appears to be isolated. Observers criticized the likely pet abandonment and urged responsible exotic-pet ownership.
14-Foot Reticulated Python Pulled From Baltimore River — Likely an Abandoned Pet
Image Credit: trash_wheel_doctor/Instagram
Baltimore's Gwynns Falls Park, known for its extensive hiking and biking trails, dense woods and rocky streams, became the scene of an unusual find when a 14-foot reticulated python was recovered from a river running through the park.
The snake was discovered and documented by the Instagram account trash_wheel_doctor, which posts items removed from the city's waterways by mechanical trash wheels. The account is run by Cy Appleby-Kellett, who posted video of the discovery and described the animal as already deceased when it was pulled from the river.
What Was Found
The reptile was identified as a reticulated python, a species native to Southeast Asia and known as one of the world’s longest snakes — with some individuals reported by reference works like Britannica reaching lengths up to 32.8 feet. Finding a snake of this species in Baltimore, where winters regularly drop below freezing, is highly unusual.
How It May Have Ended Up There
There is no definitive explanation for how the python arrived in the river. Appleby-Kellett suggested it was likely a pet that had been discarded after outgrowing its owner's expectations. On camera he said:
"I think this thing was in the river for a hot minute. I don't know if it died first or it died later, but it washed down the river, and the guys here at Wheelabrator left it for me. That's not AI. It doesn't smell like AI either."
Observers online echoed sympathy and frustration, with many criticizing pet owners who abandon large animals instead of making long-term care plans or seeking rehoming options.
Context and Response
Reticulated pythons are native to tropical forests in parts of Southeast Asia, including Indonesia and the Philippines, and are capable swimmers. However, experts and local officials say this appears to be an isolated incident rather than evidence of a breeding population in the Baltimore area.
The city's trash wheels continue to remove debris and occasional unusual items from the waterways. This discovery has prompted conversation about responsible pet ownership, the risks of releasing non-native animals into local ecosystems, and how people should handle unwanted exotic pets.
Takeaway: The dead reticulated python recovered from Gwynns Falls Park was likely an abandoned pet and not an indication that the species has established itself in Maryland.
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