Amid public backlash, zoo explains why snake was put down

The snake found on Tucker’s Point Golf Course was euthanized because it posed a ‘potentially devastating threat” to the island’s ecology.

Conservations Services Director, Drew Pettit, said experts had considered every possible option before deciding to humanely put down the Southern Black Racer that was found last week.

He told the Bermuda Sun: “Euthanizing animals is never an enjoyable task and is done at BAMZ only after careful consideration of multiple factors including the health status of the animal and, in this case, the invasive nature of the animal in question.

“Exhibiting the Racer at BAMZ was given careful consideration against BAMZ’s mandate, which is to showcase and provide environmental education on the ecology of small islands.

“It would have had to been housed separate to other exhibits. The Southern Racer is a common snake found on the U.S. mainland. In these types of situations, we carefully weigh up whether we can keep an animal by how well it will do in our care.

“The answer to these questions was ‘no’. In addition, we look at whether we might be able to use an animal for educational purposes to alert people to the dangers of invasive species.

“Again, we already have two snakes dedicated to this purpose. Repatriation to the US was also considered but found not to be feasible.”

Mr Pettit’s comments came after some islanders voiced concern on social media sites, including the Bermuda Sun’s Facebook page, about the decision to put the reptile down.

Jennifer Christine Ward said: “BAMZ couldn’t take it? Poor snake:( ”

While Cherie Sousa asked: “Why would they kill it? Why not just have it at the Zoo?

Allan Hill added: “Killed it...why not put it in the zoo?”

And his thoughts were echoed by Tricia Abbott Walters, who said: “Poor thing. did they have to kill it? I think it would have been a great addition to the zoo — a snake you can actually let people touch. Kids love that stuff. I do.”

Ecology

Allowing the snake to remain in the wild was not a viable option because of the damage it could do to the island’s unique ecology, said Mr Pettit.

And he urged members of the public to call BAMZ on 293-2727 if they saw similar reptiles or even injured wildlife.

He said: “The Southern Black Racer is a non venomous, constrictor snake found throughout the State of Florida. Racers are typically very active animals during the day and will eat voraciously anything small they can over power. This would include lizards, frogs, and birds in the nest in Bermuda to name a few.

“They reportedly do not tolerate handling and don’t do well in captivity, unlike other species of snakes we have in the Government live collection. 

“Following euthanasia, the animal underwent an immediate necropsy and was discovered to be a juvenile female that was not sexually mature.

“It should be noted that certain females snakes have the ability to store sperm for several years and can lay viable eggs in these situations even if a male is no longer present.” n