FWC on hunt for Brevard anaconda informants

FWC seeks informants after 2 anacondas released

BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. – The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is seeking snake informants who may know more about the recently killed two 9-foot-long green anacondas slithering in Brevard County.

"On Feb. 3, Brevard County animal control officers turned over a 9-foot green anaconda to FWC after capturing the reptile in a Melbourne neighborhood called Oxford Ridge, just north of the Melbourne airport. The snake was euthanized and turned over to biologists for research. They wanted to know about its reproductive status, overall health and gut content," according to Florida Today

An examination of the stomach contents showed the snake had recently eaten a domestic rat, leading investigators to believe it had been privately owned, which personal use of owning this species has been prohibited by the FWC since 2010. The snake did not have a PIT (passive integrated transponder) tag as required by state law. 

In November, a different green anaconda had been found near the near the St. Johns River and the Brevard and Orange county line. Officers shot the snake to prevent it from escaping. It also was not PIT tagged, and FWC could not determine ownership of the snake because its remains were not examined by biologists, according to Florida Today. 

The green anacondas are only allowed for research, commercial use or public exhibition purposes, according to FWC.

To report to the FWC any information regarding the possible illegal breeding, possession or release of this nonnative species, call the Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-3922 (FWCC) or email or text to Tip@MyFWC.com. Callers may be eligible for a reward in the event of an arrest.