Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Biosecurity staff snare live snake at Auckland Airport
Biosecurity staff snare live snake at Auckland Airport
Biosecurity officials have snared a live snake that hitchhiked to New Zealand on a private jet.
The snake was spotted on the tarmac at Auckland Airport yesterday. It was initially contained with a bucket by airport staff.
“A Ministry for Primary Industries snake handler was quickly on the scene and managed to capture the unwanted stowaway,” says Craig Hughes, MPI Manager North Passenger.
The snake has yet to be identified, although it is likely to be a brown tree snake. This species is not regarded as particularly dangerous to humans, but could severely harm New Zealand’s native bird population, says Mr Hughes.
“It appears the snake had crawled into the wheel housing of a private jet that arrived from Brisbane,” he says.
The aircraft had been parked in remote bay in Brisbane for six weeks before coming to New Zealand.
He says MPI staff searched the plane and tarmac area, but found no sign of any other snakes.
“This is clearly a one-off hitchhiker.”
He says the snake was in a poor condition when captured, but still alive. It is likely to be euthanised after consultation with the Department of Conservation.
“We don’t have a snake population in New Zealand. Biosecurity officials are doing their best to make sure it stays that way,” says Mr Hughes.
ends
Gordon Campbell: On What’s Wrong With The Treaty Principles Bill
Ministry For Culture And Heritage: Reverberations Of Erebus Disaster Still Felt 45 Years Later
Watercare Services: No Cause For Concern After Slightly Elevated Levels Of Arsenic Detected In Treated Waikato River Water
Te Pāti Māori: Government’s First Year A ‘Catastrophe For Māori’
Department Of Internal Affairs: Samoan Citizenship Bill Passes Into Law
NZ National Party: National Acknowledges The Passing Of Hon Nikki Kaye
Mana Mokopuna: Children And Young People Share Vital Insights On Healing From Family Violence And Sexual Violence In New Report
