Girl Wrestles 8-Foot Python to Save Beloved Guinea Pig
12-year-old Rosie Wightman displayed remarkable bravery, fighting off an 8-foot python to save her guinea pig, MaxiBon. The shocking incident, caught on CCTV and shared online, has turned a potentially tragic event into a heartwarming tale of courage and love.
By Beth Snider · February 4, 2024
A heart-stopping incident caught on CCTV, as 12-year-old Rosie Wightman of Eumundi, Queensland, displayed unparalleled bravery as she fought off an 8-foot python attempting to make a meal out of her beloved guinea pig, MaxiBon. The shocking video, shared by Rosie’s uncle and Australian radio host, Kip Wightman, has since gone viral, amassing over 20,000 views.
The footage begins innocently enough, with Rosie cleaning out MaxiBon’s cage in her backyard. Little did she know, a massive snake lurked in the bushes and attacked her guinea pig. With sheer instinct and without hesitation, Rosie seized the snake by its tail and swung it around in a desperate attempt to free her furry friend.
Describing the intense ordeal, Rosie recalled, “It was wrapped around his neck … it was getting tighter and tighter. So I grabbed it without thinking, and I just started swinging around,” hoping to loosen the snake’s grip. The courageous act, reminiscent of an Olympic hammer throw, succeeded in momentarily detaching the snake from MaxiBon, but it persisted in its pursuit.
The commotion alerted Rosie’s parents and pet dogs, who rushed to her aid. Rosie’s father, Luke Wightman, was able to intervene, taking hold of the snake and tossing it aside, allowing MaxiBon to escape largely unharmed. Luke, recalling the harrowing moment, expressed, “It was insane. When I saw her lassoing it, I was actually scared.” The family, still in their pajamas as the incident unfolded, had initially focused on consoling Rosie, unaware that their security camera had captured the entire dramatic rescue.
Grace Wightman, Rosie’s mother, remarked on the surreal experience of witnessing her daughter “whizzing around with a … snake attached to her guinea pig.” MaxiBon, a mixed brown and white guinea pig named after a popular ice cream snack, has since become the center of attention, receiving an abundance of cuddles and treats.
In an interview, Rosie admitted to waking up in the middle of the night, anxious about her guinea pigs. Despite the initial shock, the family is grateful for the security camera that documented Rosie’s heroic efforts, turning a potentially tragic event into a heartwarming tale of a young girl’s courage and love for her pet.