Assistant Chief Forest Officer Pius Haynes has condemned the stoning of a group of boa constrictors in a viral video on social media this week.
The Agriculture Ministry official explained that the snakes were mating and seeing people ill-treating the non-venomous species was disturbing.
Although the time and place of the incident were unclear, Haynes told St. Lucia Times that usually, Saint Lucia boas mate from December to early January when typically five or six males surround a single female, which is larger.
The snakes are protected fully under the Saint Lucia Wildlife Protection Act.
“It is unacceptable for members of the public to be indiscriminately killing those boas, throwing rocks at them,” Haynes explained.
He also noted it is an offence to treat protected wildlife in such a manner, which could result in fines of up to $5000.
The Assistant Chief Forest Officer urged people to desist from such irresponsible and reckless activities and contact the Forestry Department if they encounter snakes.
“We will come in, rescue the boas and relocate them, but we will not tolerate people indiscriminately hurting and killing boas, especially at this time of year when they are mating,” Haynes told St. Lucia Times.
He revealed that after mating during December and January, the reptiles give birth during April and May.
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7 COMMENTS
The average person would not be aware of mating season, and what mating looks like for snakes. Forestry department needs to step up on its public education and awareness. Don’t ASSUME people know.
Be it snake or boa , they should be controlled. You want to protect the fer de lance which is invasive and the government doesn’t even have the anti venom readily available to treat snakes bites .. for me destroy some fer de lance . Population out of control
Snakes (whether they are poisonous or not) serve little to no benefit to the country and the St. Lucian Viper (Fer De Lance) is one of the most dangerous snakes in the world. No snake should be protected by law and I urge citizens to get rid of them if possible especially if they encroach upon your communities which is happening more and more these days.
Snakes strike terror in most people, trying to destroy one upon sight is the reaction of quite a few people. However if it poses no immediate harm and is non-poisonous it should be left alone. The snakes were mating when the stones were thrown at them, imagine if you the stone thrower were involved in a similar situation and having stones thrown at you, it sure would no longer be a pleasant situation now, would it?
For those saying snakes are of little consequence here is a brief description of why snakes are a critical part of an ecosystem:
“Ecologically, they are both predator and prey. Snakes are a food source for birds, mammals and other reptiles. Conversely, they feed on birds, mammals, amphibians, fish and insects. Many species of small pests, such as rodents and slugs, are eaten by snakes.”
Killing off one species usually has a downhill effect. So be careful what you’re advocating for. An abundance of rodents is definitely not what you would want.
Play with it,a in general snakes 🐍 wathever species is the enemy of God, those type you consider as toothless dose’nt bite but swallows…
The average person would not be aware of mating season, and what mating looks like for snakes. Forestry department needs to step up on its public education and awareness. Don’t ASSUME people know.
Be it snake or boa , they should be controlled. You want to protect the fer de lance which is invasive and the government doesn’t even have the anti venom readily available to treat snakes bites .. for me destroy some fer de lance . Population out of control
Snakes (whether they are poisonous or not) serve little to no benefit to the country and the St. Lucian Viper (Fer De Lance) is one of the most dangerous snakes in the world. No snake should be protected by law and I urge citizens to get rid of them if possible especially if they encroach upon your communities which is happening more and more these days.
Snakes strike terror in most people, trying to destroy one upon sight is the reaction of quite a few people. However if it poses no immediate harm and is non-poisonous it should be left alone. The snakes were mating when the stones were thrown at them, imagine if you the stone thrower were involved in a similar situation and having stones thrown at you, it sure would no longer be a pleasant situation now, would it?
For those saying snakes are of little consequence here is a brief description of why snakes are a critical part of an ecosystem:
“Ecologically, they are both predator and prey. Snakes are a food source for birds, mammals and other reptiles. Conversely, they feed on birds, mammals, amphibians, fish and insects. Many species of small pests, such as rodents and slugs, are eaten by snakes.”
Killing off one species usually has a downhill effect. So be careful what you’re advocating for. An abundance of rodents is definitely not what you would want.
Play with it,a in general snakes 🐍 wathever species is the enemy of God, those type you consider as toothless dose’nt bite but swallows…
Ignorance should be illegal 😒