Indian villagers save goat from becoming python's prey

A group of villagers armed with bats have saved a goat from being swallowed by a hungry python in northern India.

The python had already wound itself tightly around the goat and appeared ready to eat the animal whole when villagers intervened.

Frantic villagers, some carrying cricket bats and others large tree branches, can be heard wailing as their initial attempts to scare the snake away are unsuccessful.

However, undeterred, a man stepped forward and repeatedly smacked the python on its head causing it to eventually released the goat.

Despite being trapped for up to 40 minutes the goat appeared to have survived the trauma.

It is unclear when the incident occurred.