Close X
Thursday, November 28, 2024
ADVT 
National

Stealthy Snake On The Loose In Metro Vancouver Conservation Area

The Canadian Press, 12 Aug, 2015 12:00 PM
    BURNABY, B.C. — A python spotted in a Metro Vancouver conservation area is a long way from its native African home.
     
    City of Burnaby staff saw the snake curled up on a road on Burnaby Mountain near Simon Fraser University around noon on Monday, said Dave Ellenwood, the city's director of Parks, Recreation and Cultural.
     
    Not knowing whether the unusual brown and black reptile was native to the area, workers snapped a picture and took it to a local group that rescues wild animals, which determined the snake is definitely not from B.C.
     
    In fact, the snake — which was less than a metre long — is a ball python, a nonvenomous constrictor.
     
    "What we generally do is we try and consult people who know more than we do about these sort of things," Ellenwood explained. "And that's when they got the information that it was an exotic pet. They speculate that somebody probably dumped it in the park."
     
    Staff returned to the park to capture the snake, but it had slithered into the bushes and couldn't be found.
     
    It's rare that the Burnaby staff see such pets in parks, but it has happened before, Ellenwood says.
     
    "Irresponsible people will think it's a good idea to take an exotic pet and dump it off in an open space, a green space, thinking it would be better off for it."
     
    Abandoned pets are an ongoing problem for animal welfare organizations, b ut exotic pets such as snakes come with their own issues, says Yolanda Brooks, spokeswoman for the Wildlife Rescue Association.
     
    "They obviously get too big for a person or they live for a long time and then they just send them to the habitat that they think will be good for them," she said.
     
    "Just chucking it out and hoping it will fend for itself is not good for the native species, it's not good for your pet."
     
    People should think carefully about owning exotic pets such as pythons because they take a lot of specialized care, Brooks added.
     
    "While owning a dog or a cat is a big commitment, having an exotic pet is an even bigger commitment."
     
    The python likely won't survive very long on Burnaby Mountain because of the cold weather, terrain and predators, Brooks said.
     
    However she said the snake could also present problems for some native animals while it's around.
     
    Ellenwood said staff from both the Burnaby SPCA and the city continued to look for the python Tuesday, and warned park users to keep an eye out for the stealthy reptile.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Alberta Man Sentenced To 40 Years In Puerto Rico For Production Of Child Porn

    SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — A Canadian man has been sentenced in Puerto Rico to 40 years in prison for possession and production of child pornography.

    Alberta Man Sentenced To 40 Years In Puerto Rico For Production Of Child Porn

    Society Director Joe Leong Fined For Misappropriating Kamloops Railway Society Funds

    Society Director Joe Leong Fined For Misappropriating Kamloops Railway Society Funds
    Joe Leong, 65, admitted using money from the Kamloops Heritage Railway Society to tend to his personal finances and was fined $2,000.

    Society Director Joe Leong Fined For Misappropriating Kamloops Railway Society Funds

    Syncrude Faces Protection Order After Heron Deaths In Northern Alberta

    Syncrude Faces Protection Order After Heron Deaths In Northern Alberta
    Oilsands giant Syncrude is facing an environmental protection order after the deaths of 30 great blue herons at one of its sites.

    Syncrude Faces Protection Order After Heron Deaths In Northern Alberta

    Stephen Harper, Kathleen Wynne Lock Horns Again Over New Ontario Pension Plan

    Stephen Harper, Kathleen Wynne Lock Horns Again Over New Ontario Pension Plan
    Premier Kathleen Wynne says Stephen Harper is standing in the way of an Ontario pension plan, while the prime minister says he's happy to block what he calls "an enormous tax hike."

    Stephen Harper, Kathleen Wynne Lock Horns Again Over New Ontario Pension Plan

    Chris Hyndman's Obit Recalls His Charisma, Wit, Smile

    Chris Hyndman's Obit Recalls His Charisma, Wit, Smile
    An obituary honouring the charisma, wit and smile of TV personality Chris Hyndman is drawing hundreds of comments from fans online.

    Chris Hyndman's Obit Recalls His Charisma, Wit, Smile

    Justin Trudeau Campaigns On Senate Cleanup, PM Touts Anti-Drug Policy

    Justin Trudeau Campaigns On Senate Cleanup, PM Touts Anti-Drug Policy
    On the eve of the resumption of the Mike Duffy trial, Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau is promising to clean up the scandal-tainted Senate and make appointments more transparent.

    Justin Trudeau Campaigns On Senate Cleanup, PM Touts Anti-Drug Policy