rich_ace_G
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Jun 26, 2012
- Messages
- 2,705
Poisonous Copperhead....found out east....
- Thread starter rich_ace_G
- Start date
Help Support Ontario Fishing Forums:
[email protected]
Well-Known Member
they found it, went to the indian river zoo in peterborough
[email protected]
Well-Known Member
AJAX -- Officials with the Indian River Reptile Zoo in Peterborough were successful in capturing a venomous snake Wednesday which has been on the loose in Greenwood Conservation Area in Ajax since at least Sunday.
The snake was caught shortly after 7 p.m.
After consulting with reptile experts, the Town hired staff from the Indian Reptile Zoo in Peterborough to help locate the venomous copperhead snake. The team began investigation around 2:45 p.m. and completed its search around 7 p.m. after the snake was “quickly†found, Town spokesperson Rachel Wrath said.
“We definitely hired the right people,†she said. The venomous snake was found “not too far off†from where it was first spotted.
The snake, seen at the park Aug. 28, was confirmed as a poisonous copperhead, according to a media release issued by the Town Wednesday morning.
Native to the United States, it is likely a pet that was released or escaped, said Andrew Lentini, curator of reptiles and amphibians with the Toronto Zoo. The presence of the snake in the public area is a concern because its venom is considered dangerous, he said.
“If somebody or a pet is bitten by one of these animals, it would be considered a medical emergency,†Mr. Lentini said. “You’ve got several hours to seek treatment.â€
Although the reptile at large in the conservation area was likely kept in captivity, it will have formed no affinity for people or pets and would react with aggression if it feels threatened, Mr. Lentini said.
“They’d much rather just avoid confrontation,†he said. “But it will behave like a wild animal.â€
The snake was last spotted near the Town’s leash-free area at Church Street and Concession 5, according to the Town.
Users of the park are recommended to keep pets leashed, and stay on marked trails.
Mr. Lentini said anyone who sees the snake should keep several metres back and not approach it.
“This animal will not pursue you,†he said. “This is not an aggressive species that will chase people down; snakes don’t do that.â€
It’s likely the copperhead, finding itself in a new environment, will remain on the move until it finds a place of safety, Mr. Lentini said. If animal control authorities are alerted of a sighting quickly there’s a good chance they could catch the snake, he said.
In the event it goes uncaptured the snake, a species native to an area extending from southern Missouri to Texas, won’t survive the onset of cold weather, Mr. Lentini said.
“I think it would perish,†he said.
The snake was caught shortly after 7 p.m.
After consulting with reptile experts, the Town hired staff from the Indian Reptile Zoo in Peterborough to help locate the venomous copperhead snake. The team began investigation around 2:45 p.m. and completed its search around 7 p.m. after the snake was “quickly†found, Town spokesperson Rachel Wrath said.
“We definitely hired the right people,†she said. The venomous snake was found “not too far off†from where it was first spotted.
The snake, seen at the park Aug. 28, was confirmed as a poisonous copperhead, according to a media release issued by the Town Wednesday morning.
Native to the United States, it is likely a pet that was released or escaped, said Andrew Lentini, curator of reptiles and amphibians with the Toronto Zoo. The presence of the snake in the public area is a concern because its venom is considered dangerous, he said.
“If somebody or a pet is bitten by one of these animals, it would be considered a medical emergency,†Mr. Lentini said. “You’ve got several hours to seek treatment.â€
Although the reptile at large in the conservation area was likely kept in captivity, it will have formed no affinity for people or pets and would react with aggression if it feels threatened, Mr. Lentini said.
“They’d much rather just avoid confrontation,†he said. “But it will behave like a wild animal.â€
The snake was last spotted near the Town’s leash-free area at Church Street and Concession 5, according to the Town.
Users of the park are recommended to keep pets leashed, and stay on marked trails.
Mr. Lentini said anyone who sees the snake should keep several metres back and not approach it.
“This animal will not pursue you,†he said. “This is not an aggressive species that will chase people down; snakes don’t do that.â€
It’s likely the copperhead, finding itself in a new environment, will remain on the move until it finds a place of safety, Mr. Lentini said. If animal control authorities are alerted of a sighting quickly there’s a good chance they could catch the snake, he said.
In the event it goes uncaptured the snake, a species native to an area extending from southern Missouri to Texas, won’t survive the onset of cold weather, Mr. Lentini said.
“I think it would perish,†he said.
Fishing Urban Ontario
Well-Known Member
Dead pool would be like "the towns name is Ajax huh? What has Francis done now!"
Lol couldn't resist.
Lol couldn't resist.
GuitarBuildingAngler
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Jun 22, 2013
- Messages
- 399
Glad they found it! I was almost in the area and decided not to go because of the potential snake threat. Having no experience with snakes at all, I didn't want to risk any type of interaction with the thing. It sure looks amazing though. Shame on the person for releasing it like that. I don't doubt a place like Indian Reptile Zoo would have taken it off their hands for free.
Dozer
Bouts with trouts
- Joined
- Jun 30, 2008
- Messages
- 2,560
Copperheads are a dime a dozen down south - if someone has a license you can obtain them through legal import though not all cities allow venomous snakes - by laws restrict many places to keep such animals. The black market on venomous snakes is pretty big up here in Canada and there is a constant flow of illegal reptiles across our borders - each year people get booked with car loads of all sorts of things. A copperhead can run ya around 150 bucks ( and more ) up here but down in the states you can score 'em for probably less than 20 bucks - the profits are incredible which makes the dirty smuggling wheel keep on turning. Long live the herps ( short for reptiles, not herpes )
