No excuse for snakes

[faze]

No excuse for snakes
http://www.mauinews.com/story.aspx?id=2159

Golf pro Scott Henrich, Loss Prevention Director Craig Tanaka and the rest of the staff at Makena Resort are to be praised for the way they handled the capture of a ball python on the fairway of the 9th hole last Friday. Henrich immediately reported his sighting and his team herded the snake into an insulated ice chest until specialists from the Division of Forestry and Wildlife could reach the scene to take control of the python.

The most disturbing part about last Friday’s incident is that state wildlife biologist Fern Duvall said the snake was most probably a pet. That means it was intentionally brought to Maui.

Snakes are a threat to many of our native species, some of which are already endangered. The importation of a snake is illegal and can result in a misdemeanor charge that carries up to a $20,000 fine and 30 days in jail. Possession of more than one snake is a felony with penalties of up to five years in prison and fines up to $200,000.

Frankly, it is hard to understand why anyone would bring these animals into Hawaii. Our ecosystem is very delicate and it’s difficult to believe that anyone living here doesn’t realize the threat alien species such as snakes pose. It is tempting to consider these thoughtless, selfish folks sociopaths and treat them as such. The penalties for bringing these “pets” into Hawaii should be severe enough that the perpetrators finally get the message we’re not going to put up with their eco-terrorism. In our book, anyone who knowingly threatens the beautiful animals of Hawaii is a felon.

Anyone seeing a snake should call police at 244-6400. Biologist Duvall said not to pick the snake up, but to try to keep it corralled until his team arrives on the scene. Lacking that, he said, “Kill it. . . . Take a heavy rock and smash it. Break its back or smash its head. It doesn’t help anyone to say, ’I saw it, but I don’t know where it is now.’”

The stakes are too high to let these slithering creatures become established on Maui.

[muzixman]

Hmmm??? I wonder how he would feel if I took a big rock and smacked him (Biologist Duvall) alongside the head with it. What aint ther any snakes native to Hawaii???

[bryxbry]

I'm Pretty sure in Hawaii there aren't any native snakes.

[trinitywolf]

Sadly enough, Duvall has a point. The snake will be destroyed in the end and at least if you crush it's skull it will be over quickly with no pain to the animal. Established populations of feral animals DO pose a serious threat to the native animals of Hawaii and while I would not live there (for obvious reasons) I respect their right to protect that environment, and no persons selfish desire to keep an animal that poses a threat should supercede that...but that's my opinion.
I don't believe there are any reptile or amphibian species native to Hawaii.

[bensnacks]

I agree with you 110% Trinity!!

[toker]

what is sad is the " EWWW Snake KILL IT!!"

What happens when people move away from there, you guessed it, they will have the same way of thinking no matter where they go. I agree that somethings are to be protected, but to tell people to kill any snake they see is a little out of control to me.

[trinitywolf]

Emotionally, I see your point Toker, but rationally, the most viable option is the destruction of the invading species, no matter what it may be. If we were talking about rodents here, not very many would flinch. We are a little more sensitive to this topic b/c it is our beloved reptiles are are being addressed.
However, what would be a better solution? What do you do with the snake? It can't be re-introduced to wild populations, and who would pay to house it, ship it, and so on in the interim. I don't like the thought of killing any snake, but in the end, it is sadly the most viable option.

[muzixman]

I agree with you tinity, I just dont like to here those words kill it.

[toker]

Yea, I have to agree with you on this one.

[slaponte]

I think they have COQUI frogs. imported from Puerto Rico, unfortunately as well.

[faze]

theres also a group of coqui breeding in miami last i heard