News Release: October 11, 2004

Posted on Oct 11, 2004 in 2004 News Releases, News-Releases

For Immediate Release: October 11, 2004 NR04 -17

SNAKE FOUND ON MAUI GOLF COURSE

Honolulu – A four-foot-long snake was captured by employees of the Maui Prince Hotel Golf Course in Makena on Friday, October 8th.  The snake, which has been preliminarily identified as a ball python, has since been transported to Honolulu and is being safeguarded at the Plant Quarantine Branch of the Hawaii Department of Agriculture (HDOA).

The snake was spotted on Friday by a pro shop employee at about 4:00 p.m.  Hotel security then notified Maui Police and Fire Departments.  Several golf course and hotel employees surrounded the snake, captured it and contained it until authorities arrived.

Individuals who have illegal animals are encouraged to turn them in under the State’s amnesty program, which provides immunity from prosecution. Illegal animals may be turned in to any HDOA Office, Honolulu Zoo or any Humane Society – no questions asked and no fines assessed.  Anyone with information on illegal animals should call the PEST HOTLINE at
586-PEST (7378).

Snakes and other reptiles turned in under amnesty will not be killed. Through an agreement with the Honolulu Zoo, illegal reptiles are sent to a reptile farm in Florida where animals are placed into other zoos or educational institutions.  The Honolulu Zoo then benefits from this by obtaining other animals in exchange for display at the zoo.

Ball pythons are common in the pet trade on the mainland and are native to Western and West-Central Africa.  They are called ball pythons because, when frightened, they coil around their head into a tight ball.  They are non-venomous and related to boas, which are also constrictors that subdue its prey by coiling around and suffocating it.  Its diet usually consists of small mammals and birds.  Ball pythons may grow up to six feet long.

 Snakes have no natural predators in Hawaii and pose a serious threat to Hawaii’s environment because they compete with native animal populations for food and habitat.  Many species also prey on birds and their eggs, increasing the threat to our endangered native birds.

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For more information, contact:

Janelle Saneishi
Public Information Officer
Hawaii Department of Agriculture
Phone: (808) 973-9560
E-mail: [email protected]