This is the heartbreaking moment dozens of monkeys watched in vain as a wild python strangled one of their troops.<br /><br />The reptile pounced on the primate on a mountain path in Prachuap Khiri Khan, Thailand last Thursday (October 24) afternoon.<br /><br />Large numbers of monkeys surrounded the snake but each time they ventured near, the python reared up and bared its deadly fangs.<br /><br />Tragically, they could only watch as their fellow monkey was slowly crushed to death.<br /><br />An elderly local man also tried to intervene by hitting the snake with a stick without success.<br /><br />Onlooker Supattra Pranimit was having a day-trip to the area when she noticed the large group of monkeys. <br /><br />The tourist was shocked to see one of the animals being strangled by the huge python, believed to be around 10ft long.<br /><br />Supattra said that she felt sorry for the monkey because it was already dead when the python finally released its grip and slithered away.<br /><br />She said: "It was touching to see monkeys help his friend from dying but I felt so sorry for them, because they could not save their friend. The python killed the monkey then left. I don't think the area was quiet enough for him to try and eat it.''
