Chester: A 15-foot (4.5-meter) reticulated python named Jodie Foster at Chester Zoo has become the first known snake to undergo electrochemotherapy after a cancerous tumor returned and began invading part of her jawbone, the zoo announced.

According to Anadolu Agency, the 50-kilogram python was diagnosed with a malignant fibrosarcoma after keepers observed changes in her eating habits and activity levels. Initially, the veterinarians removed the tumor; however, it reappeared, prompting a collaborative effort between zoo veterinarians and specialists from the University of Liverpool to adapt electrochemotherapy for Jodie. This treatment combines the cancer drug bleomycin with controlled electrical pulses to increase cancer cells' permeability, enhancing the drug's effectiveness.

Ian Ashpole, a veterinary officer at Chester Zoo, expressed concern that the recurring tumor could eventually impede Jodie's ability to eat. He highlighted the innovative nature of the treatment, stating, "As far as we're aware, this is the first time it's ever been used in one," referring to electrochemotherapy's application in a snake.

During the 90-minute procedure, Ashpole not only removed the tumor but also part of Jodie's affected jawbone before administering the electrochemotherapy. Due to Jodie's size, the procedure required the use of two operating tables. Despite the surgery's complexity, Jodie's appetite and hunting capabilities remain intact. A final check this week revealed no signs of the cancer returning, the zoo reported.