Large Constrictor Snakes Wreak Havoc in United States
Between June, 2003 and July, 2006 there have been 31 incidents in the Unites States involving large constrictor snakes such as anacondas, boa constrictors and pythons, including escapes, human injuries and even human fatalities.
Since 2006, in the United States alone, 4 people have been killed by pythons kept as pets. Most recently, and perhaps most tragically, was a 2-year old girl in July of this year who was killed by her family’s pet python.
Burmese pythons and boa constrictors, both highly invasive species, have already established themselves firmly in Florida. African pythons are also known to be living in the wild in Florida. It is likely, as the climate continues to warm, that the range of these massive snakes will widen to include other states. These large, constrictor snakes pose a serious risk to native wildlife as they have no natural predators in the US, can live up to 30 years and produce numerous offspring.
Florida is a hub for the international, exotic pet trade and it is no coincidence that there is a thriving population of invasive, constrictor snakes there. The established populations are considered to be a direct result of escaped or abandoned pets.
The Captive Wild Animal Protection Campaign (CWAPC) is a program of Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries, a global sanctuary accreditation organization. The CWAPC's Purpose is to end the exploitation and suffering of wild animals in captivity by educating the American public, policy makers and media on possession, use and trade through sound research and accurate, compelling data.
"Saving Middle Earth was a great fantasy, but as an actor I know when it's fantasy and when it's real— keeping a lion, tiger, or other wild animal as a pet is a dangerous and potentially lethal fantasy. Let’s keep wildlife out of people's homes and protect them in the wild."
— Sean Astin, star of The Lord of the Rings trilogy
"Saving Middle Earth was a great fantasy, but as an actor I know when it's fantasy and when it's real— keeping a lion, tiger, or other wild animal as a pet is a dangerous and potentially lethal fantasy. Let’s keep wildlife out of people's homes and protect them in the wild."