LUSAKA (Reuters) - A python swallowed a baby minutes after it was born near the central Zambian town of Serenje, state television reported.

Heavily pregnant Joyce Mibenge was on her way to plough fields one mile from her home when she went into labor, ZNBC reported. Halfway home, she was overwhelmed by labor pains and retreated into a nearby bush to rest.

``She gave birth there on her own. After a few moments when she had recovered enough to hold her baby she saw a happy python licking the legs of the baby with the rest already swallowed,'' ZNBC said.

The traumatized Mibenge pulled herself to her feet, fled to her home and raised the alarm, but searching villagers were unable to find the snake. She did not even know whether she had had a boy or girl.