Snake swallows newborn baby 

A python has swallowed a newborn baby, according to reports on Zambian
state TV.

The snake swallowed the baby within minutes of it being born near Serenje,
a town in the centre of the country, ZNBC reports.

Joyce Mibenge was walking to work in fields just over a mile from her home
when she went into labour.

A ZNBC reporter said the woman spent several minutes recovering from the
birth but when she opened her eyes: "She saw a happy python licking the
legs of the baby with the rest already swallowed."

She ran home, but villagers found no evidence of the snake when they
searched for it.

The station said Ms Mibenge didn't know whether her baby had been a boy or
a girl.

Oscar Kalasa, an employee with the country's Daily Mail newspaper told
Ananova: "This story has really touched people here. When such a thing
happens, it's impossible not to be shocked."

Copyright 2001 Ananova Ltd