SALTA, ARGENTINA - This amazing footage was captured in the town of Las Lajitas. A wildcat, in a sad state, is being held as prey to a massive boa constrictor, more specifically a lampalagua. The snake wrapped itself around the poor cat in the middle of a dirty road.
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The heartbreaking footage shows the desperate wildcat trying to escape his uncertain faith before passersby decide to step in and save the wild cat.
Sole Rojas, the forest ranger who shared the video, said:
'Between two people they managed to unwrap the boa and release the animal. It is always a risk, [but] people in the area know how to manipulate wild animals and this boa is not venomous'.
He claims that it took not less than four people to manage to unwrap the impressive snake and free the cat. Fortunately, the feline was reportedly freed from the snake's coils and is now doing well.
The park ranger, who works in the Pizarro National Reserve, is known for publishing these kinds of pictures and videos to defend the care of animals and raise awareness.
'I am always spreading images of wildlife, rescues, to raise awareness about the importance of its conservation. Since it is very common here and it is well regarded to hunt. That's why I get photos of this kind.'
Meanwhile, the lampalagua known as 'boa constrictor occidentalis", is one of the largest in Argentina and has a solitary and rather nocturnal behaviour.
It rarely attacks men, but its manipulation should always be done with caution given its tendency to bite when threatened or hungry. Lacking poison, it kills by constriction, and among its favourite foods appear mice, vizcachas, small birds and lizards, which makes this footage even more fascinating.
