I had an unexpectedly stressful start to the day today when I noticed a python (a type of snake that isn't venomous) advancing on the nest of an endangered cockatoo high up in a tree. I knew there were two chicks inside the nest, and I didn't have much time to save their lives. I found a very long bamboo stick that was just long enough to tickle the belly of the python, but it only went faster towards the nest! In desperation I called my husband who was out, and a professional wildlife handler friend, and they dropped everything to come to the rescue. But we all thought they would be too late to help.
Then the python got it's head on the side of the nest, and I felt sick. I had one more thing I could try, throwing rocks at it, so I did that. With each rock the python withdrew slightly and then proceeded again, so I had to keep up a steady pelting.
Luckily my husband arrived home and he was able to climb up and use a stick to fend the python away from the nest, and then our wildlife handler friend arrived. The python was soon safely inside a bag, and was released unharmed near a stream, which it happily went into.
The interesting thing about this experience is that my knee became extremely painful despite not being on it for any longer than I would normally be. I believe the pain was caused by a lot of stress hormones that made me feel very jangly for a couple of hours afterwards.
All's well that ends well, and hopefully my knee will get over this soon!
Kayley
What a stressful situation and some interesting perspectives on the connection between stress, inflammation and pain!