Department of Agriculture

SNAKE SIGHTING IN KONA PROMPTS TRAPPING EFFORTS

KONA  – A Kona resident working in a backyard reported sighting what looked like a two-and-a-half-foot to three-foot snake in an adjacent vacant lot yesterday morning.  The resident said he saw a brown-colored snake climbing a Christmas berry tree and as he approached, it slithered off the branch and disappeared into the brush below.  It is not known what type of snake was spotted.

A call was made to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which notified the Hawaii Department of Agriculture and a Plant Quarantine inspector went immediately to the site but the snake was not seen.  A biologist from the state Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) also went to investigate the sighting later in the day.

Early this morning, HDOA and DLNR personnel set 10 snake traps baited with live mice. Snake bait blocks are being flown from Honolulu to Kona tonight.  Traps will be monitored daily. 

HDOA and DLNR remind the public that if they spot a snake, they should keep it in sight and report it immediately to the state’s PEST HOTLINE on Oahu at 586-PEST (7378).  Neighbor islands, may also call the nearest office of the Hawaii Department of Agriculture:

            Kona  – 326-1077
            Hilo – 974-4141
            Maui – 873-3962
            Kauai – 274-3069

Or call 911 for police.  Use good judgment in determining whether it is safe to immobilize, contain and/or prevent the escape of the animal.

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Contact:

Janelle Saneishi
Public Information Officer
Hawaii Department of Agriculture                                          
Phone: (808) 973-9560
To E-mail, click here

Deborah Ward
Public Information Office
Department of Land & Natural Resources
Phone: (808) 587-0320