In response to a recent string of encounters with large exotic snakes, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DRNA in Spanish) has issued a new administrative order. To mitigate the potential impacts to Puerto Rico’s ecological and public safety, the department has declared six species of snake as “damaging and dangerous” and now permits hunting them “without limits on quantity.”
Administrative order 2024-05, which was signed last Monday, June 17, by secretary of the DRNA Anaís Rodríguez Vega, establishes that hunters licensed by the agency will now be able to hunt the boa constrictor, the reticulated python, the ball python, the striped-backed snake and the garter snake. Those without a sport hunting license from the DRNA must obtain one from the agency before hunting the newly included species.
Of the five species, Rodríguez Vega specifically declared the boa constrictor, the reticulated python, and the striped-backed snake as “damaging and dangerous,” stating that these species “are threatening terrestrial ecosystems, native species, agricultural areas, as well as the health and safety of our citizens.” The administrative order, a copy of which was obtained by El Nuevo Día, explains that the ball python and garter snake were not included in the declaration because “there is no evidence, to date, that they are reproducing” in Puerto Rico’s natural environments.
The order–which will take full effect 30 days after its publication–also mandates that, to prevent hunting from affecting native snakes, such as the Puerto Rican boa, “the public be educated about the danger posed by these (exotic) species and what to do if one is identified.” The DRNA will be required to publish “educational materials” on its website to help with the identification of exotic snakes, “in order to protect” the native species.
This action from the DRNA comes after a string of encounters between citizens and large exotic snakes documented on social media. According to experts, this could be a sign of invasive species expanding across the island.
Wildlife Unit and police officer training
The reticulated python–the world’s largest snake–is believed to have been released illegally in Puerto Rico years ago. “It’s an extremely dangerous snake,” mentioned sergeant Ángel Atienza, director of the, director of the DRNA’s Wildlife Unit.
In an interview with El Nuevo Día, Atienza highlighted that the Wildlife Unit has been monitoring cases of invasive snakes for nearly two years. “What we try to do is get to those pythons before they reach people’s homes,” he said.
The Wildlife Unit is divided into seven regions: San Juan, Arecibo, Guayama, Aguadilla, Mayagüez, Ponce, and Humacao. According to the official, the first three regions are seeing an increase in reticulated pythons. To properly respond to these cases, wildlife officers are specially trained in handling dangerous animals. He added that, in the affected regions, police officers and emergency officials have also received this specialized training.
Atienza also recognized that in addition to training, officers need specific tools–like tongs, hooks, and bags–to safely capture the snakes.
Academic contributions
On the scientific side, researchers like Dr. Alberto Puente Rolón, associate professor and director of the Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Laboratory at the University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez Campus, are gathering data to help optimize the government’s response to the apparent proliferation of exotic snakes.
“We need to centralize the information. Right now, without statistics, we’re hitting the piñata with our eyes closed,” said Puente Rolón, who studies specimens captured by authorized citizens to research the snakes on the island.
Once he receives them, Puente Rolón humanely euthanizes the snakes through injection and freezing. He then performs a “post-mortem” analysis, which includes measuring size, sex, reproductive status, and examining stomach contents.
A snake’s stomach content helps identify what these animals are eating and how they may be impacting native species. By additionally measuring their size and weight, researchers are able to analyze their potential to further proliferate on the island. “The healthier or better fed they are, the more able [their populations] are to grow,” he emphasized.
Preliminary studies by Puente Rolón with reticulated pythons suggest that the snakes are healthy and have enough food available to continue growing and reproducing. The presence of wild pigs in areas of the island adds to the concern, as they make up part of the pythons’ diet, which could enable them to spread into new areas.
Without any natural predators in Puerto Rico, reticulated pythons–and other exotic snake species–have the potential to explode in numbers and spread to more regions, the researcher warned. Angel Atienza emphasized that it’s exactly for this reason that it’s crucial to know where they are and how they are moving. However, this task is difficult because “many times, when someone catches one, they don’t say where they caught it and instead just hand it over.”
Meanwhile, Puente Rolón underscored the need for more resources in both capturing and studying the snakes.“The government needs to allocate more resources and invest more in education,” he said, clarifying that he has not received any funding or other support to analyze the recent perceived increase in these reptiles.
The interviewees agreed that the increasing presence of invasive snakes has significant impacts on the island’s native species, like the Puerto Rican boa and the racer snake. “It has repercussions at the environmental level, in terms of food, and what they are removing from the system,” said Puente Rolón.
He explained that, in addition to competing for the same food, invasive snakes can introduce new parasites and viruses to the island’s animals. In the case of the red-tailed boa –another invasive species– there is already evidence of foreign viruses, which could be harmful to native snakes.
Additional provisions
According to Administrative Order 2024-05, hunters can use “registered weapons” to capture the aforementioned five species, but “only during the hunting season for pigeons and doves, waterfowl, goats, and pigs, and only during hunting operations located within hunting reserves.”
The order, which requires hunters to carry their license with them at all time, additionally states that “at no point should live snakes be transported, unless a valid permit for doing so, granted by the DRNA, is carried.”
Regarding individuals without a hunting license, it also establishes that they may only hunt the snakes with “air rifles” after obtaining a permit from the agency, which will not be transferable and may be suspended or denied, just like the licenses, at any time.
Permits and licenses can be revoked if hunting is not carried out “in the manner that causes the least suffering to the animal” and in accordance with the euthanasia methods outlined in the Animal Welfare and Protection Act (Law 154 of 2008) and the guidelines of the American Veterinary Medical Association. In emergency situations, Law 154 of 2008 allows for a “mercy shot” to be given to an animal.
How to react?
For citizens who encounter these snakes, Atienza advised contacting the DRNA’s Ranger Corps at (787) 999-2200, extension 2911. While there is no penalty for killing invasive species, there are penalties for killing native snakes, which could be mistaken for invasive ones. Atienza also cautioned that these animals can pose significant harm to humans and should not be approached unless absolutely necessary.
“Education is essential about these snakes. The snakes of Puerto Rico are protected, and if you kill a Puerto Rican snake, that can have repercussions,” he warned.
To expand their educational reach, the DRNA is employing various strategies, such as brochures and media interviews, to explain the difference between native and invasive species. The recently signed administrative additionally states that hunters must ensure they do not harm native species and that “they will be fully responsible for any damage that arises as a result of their hunting activities.”
In Indonesia, the reticulated python’s native land, similar programs have made use of hunting to keep the snake’s populations under control. Meanwhile, in the state of Florida, similar tactics are being used and hunters from India have even been brought in to help control the spread of this species.
Atienza emphasized, lastly, the importance of citizen support and participation in this effort to locate and catch snakes. “It’s essential,” he stated. “Without the help of the people, it’s very difficult to implement [a plan],” he added, reiterating his recommendation that “no one should ever try to catch them. We are dealing with a snake that can kill a person.”
This article was initially written in Spanish for audiences in Puerto Rico. Read my original writing here.