CHESTER ZOO PYTHON TREATED WITH HUMAN CANCER THERAPY

Jodie, a 23-year-old reticulated python at Chester Zoo, is believed to be the first snake in the world to receive electrochemotherapy, a cancer treatment ordinarily used on humans. The 40kg, 15-foot reptile underwent the procedure after developing a fibrosarcoma on her jawbone that returned following earlier surgery. Veterinary staff report that Jodie has recovered well and returned to normal feeding behaviour.

The python first had the tumour surgically removed in 2024 after keepers observed reduced food intake. When the growth reappeared, zoo veterinarians consulted cancer specialists about adapting electrochemotherapy for reptilian use. The procedure combined the cancer drug bleomycin with controlled electrical pulses delivered directly to the tumour site, allowing lower drug doses whilst targeting remaining cancerous cells. Chester Zoo's veterinary team positioned two operating tables together to accommodate Jodie's size and maintained her body temperature using heated blankets and warmed air throughout the 90-minute operation.

Ian Ashpole, veterinary officer at Chester Zoo, stated the team faced the prospect of losing the python as the tumour increasingly impaired her ability to eat. Jose Alvarez Picornell from the University of Liverpool's department of small animal clinical science confirmed that details of the procedure would be formally published to enable veterinarians worldwide to learn from the work. A follow-up examination this week found no signs of cancer recurrence, with Jodie now consuming whole chickens normally.