BAF: Snake Found On Ship, A Pacific Boa

The snake that was found on board the MV Melanesia Pride last week is a Pacific Boa, the Biosecurity Authority of Fiji (BAF) has confirmed.

The authority’s acting chief executive officer, Surend Pratap, said: “The snake which was intercepted at the Lautoka Wharf has been identified as a Pacific Boa, a species which is already present in Fiji as well.

“Given that the snake does not pose any threat, it has been placed at the Kula Eco Park. It is quarantined at their premises until otherwise determined by BAF.”

The Pacific Boa was found on an empty container discharged from Melanesian Pride V-18 on December 5.

The last known sighting of the Pacific Boa was January last year in Lovoni forest, Ovalau. It is non-poisonous and is native to Fiji and other countries in Melanesia and Polynesia.

Edited by Naisa Koroi

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