ILLEGAL POSSESSION OF SNAKES AND ALLIGATOR LEADS TO CONVICTION

Released on December 15, 2004

An Aberdeen-area resident was recently convicted and fined a total of $2,150 for the illegal possession of reptiles.

The convictions included one for unlawfully possessing wildlife, three for illegally importing wildlife and one for illegally exporting wildlife.

Acting on information received from the public, conservation officers searched an Aberdeen-area residence and seized 15 snakes and an alligator in November. Of the 15 snakes that were seized from the residence, 12 were pythons and three were boa constrictors.

Saskatchewan Environment conservation officer Doug Lucyshyn says the province's Wildlife Act does not allow people in Saskatchewan to hold, in captivity, constrictors or poisonous snakes without a licence or to import or export wildlife without a licence issued by the department.

"Boa constrictors are considered dangerous," Lucyshyn said. "They can grow to be more than three metres (10 feet) long and live as long as 40 years. Burmese pythons can reach up to eight metres (25 feet) in length and weigh in at 90 kilograms (200 pounds)."

Lucyshyn also said some people think an exotic pet, such as a snake, may make an unusual Christmas present but before buying an exotic animal they should contact the nearest Saskatchewan Environment office on the legalities of importing or exporting exotic reptiles and other animals.

Saskatchewan residents may have exotic lizards, crocodilians and snakes, other than constrictors or poisonous varieties, provided they obtain the proper import/export permits from Saskatchewan Environment.

The seized snakes and the alligator were transported to a facility in Drumheller, Alberta where they are currently being held.

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For More Information, Contact:

Doug Lucyshyn Environment Saskatoon Phone: (306) 933-8377

John Cook Environment Prince Albert Phone: (306) 953-2691