This 15-Foot Python Is the First Known Snake to Receive Electrochemotherapy for Cancer. Now, She's Officially Free of the Disease

Chester Zoo is home to a remarkable 15-foot reticulated python, affectionately named Jodie Foster due to her medical paperwork initials. This python, which arrived at the zoo around 20 years ago, became the first known snake to receive electrochemotherapy for her cancer treatment. Initially, Jodie Foster exhibited signs of lethargy and loss of appetite, prompting her keepers to remove a jaw tumor.

However, another tumor emerged, making it difficult for her to eat, which threatened her life. To save Jodie Foster, veterinarians at the zoo devised a unique approach, combining traditional surgery with electrochemotherapy. This innovative treatment involves applying short, intense electrical pulses to the cancer site, making diseased cells more receptive to chemotherapy drugs.

The surgery, which took place in October 2025, required the veterinary team to push two operating tables together to accommodate Jodie Foster's substantial size. The procedure successfully removed part of her jaw tumor and administered chemotherapy medication to the remaining tissue. Electrochemotherapy, an emerging treatment, was used for the first time in a snake, marking a significant breakthrough in veterinary medicine.

The surgery was a success, and Jodie Foster has since made a full recovery. She has resumed her normal diet, gained weight, and is once again displaying her usual vibrant and energetic behavior. The veterinary team at Chester Zoo plans to publish detailed accounts of the procedure, allowing other veterinary professionals worldwide to learn from and build upon this innovative approach.