Five-foot-long boa constrictor captured in BC provincial park

BC conservation officers responded to a pretty unusual call involving a snake in a provincial park this week.

On Thursday, the Conservation Officer Service (COS) received information of a large snake that was on the loose in Miracle Beach Provincial Park near Comox.

BC Parks staff cleared the trails and temporarily closed the park so the conservation officers could track down the snake.

At about 1 pm, they found the snake, which turned out to be a five-foot-long boa constrictor.

The unusual animal, which is a restricted reptile under the Controlled Alien Species regulation, was handed over to the Comox Valley SPCA.

Although the snake’s length classified it as a restricted reptile, which doesn’t require a permit for someone to own it, boa constrictors cannot be released under any circumstances because they are, obviously, not native to BC and not considered wildlife.

As a result, the COS has launched an investigation to determine how the snake got into the park. The investigation could lead to enforcement action, a statement said.

This is not the first time the COS has been called in to seize exotic animals. Over the past decade, they have captured lions, alligators and monkeys.

In recent news, a six-foot-long boa constrictor was reported missing in Tofino. Bailey the snake was eventually found in her owner's kayak.

“The COS does not believe this incident is linked to a boa constrictor recently on the loose in Chesterman Beach in Tofino,” the COS said.