Snakes? In Wicklow? At this time of the year?
A five-foot long snake has been recovered by the The Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals over the weekend.
The ISPCA said the Burmese Python was found abandoned in the Wicklow Mountains National Park on Friday evening.
The snake was secured by a National Parks and Wildlife representative who was alerted by a local farmer.
The animal, which has been named Sammi, was found injured, underweight and dehydrated and has been placed in the care of a reptile specialist.
The ISPCA are appealing for anyone with information on the python to come forward and contact them.
ISPCA Chief Inspector Conor Dowling said that the ISPCA have reason to be concerned not just about the fact the animal was abandoned, but also the care it was receiving prior to its release.
“In addition to the potentially illegal release of a non-native species, there are numerous possible offences under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013,” Dowling said.
“Animals such as Sammi have very specialised environmental requirements and will suffer slow, lingering deaths in normal Irish weather conditions.
“During the exceptional summer last year, the ISPCA rescued two snakes which were active due to the warm weather. It raises the question how many animals of this type are out there dying slowly after being discarded by irresponsible owners that no longer want them. The ISPCA would like to see regulation of the breeding, selling and keeping of exotic pets.”
If anyone has any information about Sammi the ISPCA would very much like to hear from them. You can contact them by calling the ISPCA National Animal Cruelty Helpline on 1890 515 515 or email us at [email protected] in confidence.
LISTEN: You Must Be Jokin’ with Aideen McQueen – Faith healers, Coolock craic and Gigging as Gaeilge
