In a statement today, the postal services company said it would continue to trace any banned items in transit through its Pos Laju courier service.

Pos Malaysia also urged those suspecting any strange objects in their parcels to head to the nearest post office to have them inspected.

“We would like to remind all not to send banned items, especially animals, because it is cruel and inhumane.

“It is also risky and puts the receiver and Pos Malaysia workers in danger,” it said in a statement.

The company was responding to a Facebook post where a python was discovered in a parcel posted to a Universiti Sains Malaysia hostel address in Minden Heights, Gelugor.

The parcel was declared as “football boots” by a sender with an address in Gopeng, Perak, on Nov 8 at the Mambang Di Awan post office, a town close to Kampar.

It has not been ascertained if the receiver had received the parcel or it was intercepted by Pos Malaysia before it could be dispatched.

Snakeskin print football boots are popular, with brands such as Adidas and Nike carrying them.