Stolen Boa, need help.

SublimeBoa · #1 (**permalink**) 06-01-2008, 12:55 PM

Not sure this is the right forum, if it's not, feel free to move it...

I really need extra eyes right now, and I'm asking for your help.

On May 29th, 2008 I was to bring My big '99 F3 Albino (Aurora) female into the vet for blood work, due to her not really acting her usual self. She was eating, but with none of the gusto she has had for the past 9 years. So I load her into my green ARMY laundry bag, and take her in.

I stopped at the Circle K to grab some coffee, and as a last minute gesture, I rolled down her window for airflow, as it's been 100° out here already.

I drink black coffee, so I know I wasn't in there more than 2 minutes max. When I returned, I noticed the whole bag was missing from the vehicle. I'll leave out all the cussing that took place between me and the 911 operator and the police when they finally showed up. Suffice it to say, I wasn't in very good control of myself at the time.

Police report has been filed, animal control notified, all the vets in town have been given pictures, and asked to keep a look out, the Zoo also has been notified, and some of the pet shops in town that I think would actually call me if she came in. Other pet shops in this town, unfortunately, are not to be trusted, and would keep her, stolen or not, just as fast as she was brought in.

I don't really think they even know what they took. I don't see how anyone COULD know, as I didn't exactly announce my intentions. My biggest fear at the moment is that they opened the bag, saw a huge boa and dumped her on the road somewhere. I can only hope someone who is into reptiles got her, and will make an effort at keeping her, or try to sell her and I'll get word about it.

I am coming to the idea that she is gone, and I'm not likely to get her back. But in the off chance that the culprit is familiar with reptile classifieds, I have come here asking for people to keep an eye out. I am fairly certain I am the only person in this town with an Albino Boa, and for sure the only one in this town with a full grown adult female. So if one should pop up for sale in El Paso, I would ask that I get notified immediately, and I'll take it from there. If you have info, and it leads to my girls recovery, I'll give a $250 reward for the info.

Aurora is 8 ft plus a few inches, she weighs 25 lbs last weigh in, and she just had a litter, so she is still a little thin from that. She has a microchip, and a 13 inch scar that runs down the right side of her neck from surgery.

Her scar

Last picture I have of her

This is not just some brood female albino, she is my dearest pet. Even without the fondness I have for her, she is not a replaceable animal. She is one of the last Albino's with a very close relationship to the original WC albino male that started this whole mess. Her mom was one of Pete's original F1 Het albinos, and her dad was one of the first F2 albinos born in the US. She is not a replaceable animal by any means.

Like I said, I am trying to face the idea that recovery is a lost hope, but it ain't in me to just give up trying. Please, this is an important animal to me, and if any info happens to come up, if anyone happens to see an adult albino for sale coming from El Paso, TX, PLEASE, let me know via email at rick@sunsetbci.com or by phone 915-276-3384.

Thanks for any help that you may be able to offer.

A really sad Dad.

Rick

mpgt · #2 (**permalink**) 06-01-2008, 06:18 PM

Sorry to hear about this. I'm not sure which forum would be best, but this one should do. I hope you find her.

ChadRamsey · #3 (**permalink**) 06-01-2008, 06:26 PM

hey Rick i am glad you went public with this, that way we can all keep an eye out for her.

Sorry again

Icicle · #4 (**permalink**) 06-01-2008, 06:27 PM

I hope you find her.

One side note, if they did look in the bag after a block or two and seen there was a snake in there they probably dump it in a trash can or a dumpster some place maybe within a three block area.

SublimeBoa · #5 (**permalink**) 06-01-2008, 06:39 PM

Thanks everyone. Still no word, but it's only been a few days. I've flown fliers all over the place, around 500 of them, offering a $250 reward same as above.

I've gotten more ideas from going public as well, like calling the hospitals for anyone who may come in with a snake bite or two. If they handled the bag sorta rough, she just might pop out sorta angry. Someone who ain't familiar could get bit a few times, she's quick when she wants to be.

Also started bookmarking all the craigslist links in Texas, NM, CO and AZ. Places within a reasonable travel time of here. I'll be checking those too. And some new place called Kijiji. And now trashcans. I never even thought of that. There is a couple dumpsters in some apartments close by the circle k.

I really appreciate all the extra eyes looking out for her. It's probably the biggest help I could get right now. I want to thank everyone for that.

Rick

jbd123 · #6 (**permalink**) 06-01-2008, 07:05 PM

That's awful. I am really sorry about that, I'm sure that the thief had no idea there was a snake in there, but even though this might sound bad, HOPEFULLY he knows what he's got, and didn't toss her on the side of the road, and HOPEFULLY this guy knows at least how to take care of her.

I will keep you and aurora in my prayers!

crucified · #7 (**permalink**) 06-01-2008, 07:10 PM

Good luck with finding her.

Brandon28 · #8 (**permalink**) 06-01-2008, 07:24 PM

I wouldn't accept the reward for finding her....I'd just love to see her back where she belongs. Saying that I'm sorry to hear about your loss would be a serious understatement. I hope this works out.

Troy_rayver · #9 (**permalink**) 06-01-2008, 07:36 PM

wow...thats really bad to hear. Ill call all my friends around el paso and tell them to keep an eye out.

Adrya · #10 (**permalink**) 06-01-2008, 07:45 PM

That's aweful, it makes my gut wrench, I am so sorry. But most importantly, don't give up hope, I will certainly keep an eye out for you.

LdyDrgn · #11 (**permalink**) 06-01-2008, 08:31 PM

Oh, Rick... I am so sorry! I know how much she means to you, I remember when she got injured and got the stitches.

I sincerely hope you find her soon. *hug*

SublimeBoa · #12 (**permalink**) 06-01-2008, 08:49 PM

Thanks for all the kind words, and for looking out for her. Can't seem to say that enough. I mean, if they did try and sell her online somewhere, what are the chances of me, by myself, encountering the ad? The more eyes the better.

I was supposed to be getting my available page ready for these litters, but I can't stay focused long enough to even get one animal up. Guess they'll just have to wait for now. This has pretty much got my mind consumed right now.

Anyway, thanks again
Rick

pacmanfrogs · #13 (**permalink**) 06-01-2008, 09:18 PM

I am so sorry man i hope you find her i cant BELIEVE THAT ANY ONE WOULD DO THAT

but all best of luck to you man hope you find her i will try to look in the internet to see if someone is selling a huge snake like yours and i will let you know if i find something ok

good luck

spix14 · #14 (**permalink**) 06-01-2008, 09:22 PM

Oh my, I am so sorry. I will definitely be keeping an eye on the craigslist postings in Texas for you. Do you have Greensheets in El Paso too? You might keep an eye on that as well. I don't suppose the Circle K had survellance cameras of the parking lot? I'm sure you've already thought of that, but just in case. I've got my fingers crossed for you.

tribalsnake · #15 (**permalink**) 06-01-2008, 09:59 PM

I'm not sure what I could even say to this other than I'm here in MI right now feeling bad about what happened. I wish you all the best right now.

poonstang90lx · #16 (**permalink**) 06-01-2008, 10:28 PM

Man I am sorry to hear about this unfortunate incident Rick. I hope that you get her back. I really hate a thief, I am sorry and I hope she turns up.

fire_kat · #17 (**permalink**) 06-01-2008, 10:38 PM

I am so sorry!I am in Alabama and absolutely no help but I will browse the internet in hopes of seeing something that will lead to a reunion!!Good luck and my thoughts and prayers are with you and your beautiful snake!

Xeikeness · #18 (**permalink**) 06-01-2008, 11:04 PM

Did the store have any security cameras on the parking lot? Maybe you can ask to have the police look into it. At the very least, maybe they caught "someone" take the bag and do something with it? I'm sure you've already thought about this, but, it's all I can think of. I'll peruse your area's Craigslist as well, let me know what time you can't be on there looking, because I'm pretty much a nocturnal creature and would be more than happy to scan it every hour that you can't be on.

On the bright side - who in your area will pay more than your reward to buy your snake? You said yourself that no one in your area has an adult female albino, let alone one that special.

I have faith, I'll keep you and her both in my thoughts. I am so sorry this happened to you, it's so terrible.

I am so sorry. If there is ANYTHING else I can do, just let me know.

SublimeBoa · #19 (**permalink**) 06-02-2008, 12:24 AM

Yeah, cameras were the first thing looked into. The store has only one, it points at the register, and has almost no peripheral vision to it at all. That intersection doesn't have any red light cameras, and it is the only business around that particular area, so no other cameras around either.

There were about 3 people sitting in the shade not far from my car, waiting for the bus. Problem is the answer I and the police got from them was "No Se Nada" which around here pretty much means, "I ain't talking even if I did see something".

Again, I appreciate all the ideas though, in case there is something that wasn't thought of.

Rick

Xeikeness · #20 (**permalink**) 06-02-2008, 12:41 AM

I can't imagine how awful this must be for you.

I am so sorry... I don't know, it's one of those times I feel like I ought to say something brilliant but I just don't have anything brilliant for you.

What I can say though, is that if I see anything matching her description anywhere on the net, or anything, you will hear about it.

Also - whoever stole the snake wasn't looking to steal a snake. I'd put money on that. So if he is going to sell it, he won't be selling a "Kahl albino boa constrictor".

Keep your eyes peeled for anyone selling a "banana snake", "yellow snake", "albino snake", "albino python", or anything like that.

Stupid as it is, albino snakes, namely burmese and large boas, are actually being called "banana snakes". I'm not sure how this started, but in all the schools I've done my reptile presentations at, there is ALWAYS at least one kid who pipes up with, "I got to hold a banana snake once!" and even many parents have told me that their children got to touch a "banana snake" at a fair or something.

I'm as tired of saying "There is no such thing as a banana snake" as I am of saying "there is no such thing as a poisonous snake".

Anyway... Long story no shorter, just stay sharp for anything like that. People are dumb. Especially people that steal army bags full of snakes out of your car.

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