Invasive snakes: protagonists of the environmental issue in Puerto Rico in 2024

Although there are various environmental crises in Puerto Rico, in 2024, invasive snakes – particularly the reticulated python and the boa constrictor – were the protagonists of a pressing problem and without a concrete corrective plan on the part of the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources (DRNA).

For years, sightings of these species have been recorded across the island, understood to be isolated. This year, however, the increase in frequency gave clue to a situation that, experts acknowledge, is difficult to stop and reverse.

In response to the excessive increase in encounters with large exotic snakes and their potential ecological and security impact, the DRNA issued, on June 17, the Administrative Order 2024-05, which declared both the reticulated python and the boa constrictor, as well as the striped back snake, as invasive or harmful. The order considered these species “harmful and dangerous” and allowed their hunting “without limits on quantities.”

The measure signed by the outgoing secretary of the DRNA, Anais Rodriguez Vegaestablished that these snakes “are threatening terrestrial ecosystems, native species, agricultural areas, and the health and safety of our citizens.”

The royal python and the garter snake were declared “invasive” and, along with the other three species, their unlimited hunting was authorized by licensed sport hunters or citizens with permission from the DRNA.

Shortly after the DRNA order came into force, the mayor of Naranjito, Orlando Ortiz Chevres, declared, in early August, a state of emergency to address what he classified as a rise in invasive snakes in his town, in particular, reticulated pythons.

“Previously, it was a (snake that was seen) sporadically, but we are already averaging daily sightings, and the most that catches our attention is that first they were close to the La Plata River, but they have already moved to other places and part of the urban area”he said then.

In search of reticulated pythons, staff from the Wildlife Unit of the DRNA Vigilante Corps That month, together with personnel from the Municipal Police and Municipal Emergency Management, began a series of inspections and talks in the schools of Naranjito, while receiving other calls of sightings and captures.

In Puerto Rico, the reticulated python is genetically related to snakes from the Southeast Asian region, especially Thailand, Vietnam, East Malaysia and Singapore, confirmed a study led by Leslie Rivera Ocasioprofessor of the University of Puerto Rico (UPR) in Bayamón.

Regarding the threat posed by this snake – seen and captured in at least 13 municipalities – Rivera Ocasio warned, in October, that It cannot be ruled out that a human being becomes its preyso the authorities must act urgently and quickly.

“In its natural habitat, there have been cases of human consumption, which means that we, humans, have been prey to that animal. At the moment, we have not observed a direct attack on a child, for example, which is a prey of a size that these snakes could handle, but, as long as this problem is not urgently attacked, that can happen.”he pointed out.

The reticulated python is known as the snake largest in the world.

Also in October, the Puerto Rican parrot –in danger of extinction and a symbol of endemic fauna– became prey for the boa constrictor, confirmed the discovery of the sensor of a chick in the stomach of one of these snakes, while it was being studied in the Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Laboratory of the UPR in Mayagüezwho directs Alberto Puente Rolón.

The expert then specified that the boa that ate the chick was captured by the DRNA, on July 11, in the Maricao State Forest. She was euthanized, frozen, and subsequently processed in the laboratory on September 6.

The boa constrictor has been sighted and captured wild in Puerto Rico since at least 2011 and its population is currently presumed excessive.

Roberto Mendez Martinezformer acting secretary of the DRNA, assured, after the discovery, that the agency “has always been actively dealing with control.” He admitted, however, that It would not be until now, with physical evidence of direct risk to the parrot, that the DRNA could request funds and carry out action plans and direct protection of the species.

“Part of the strategic plan that we are working on is to train the security guards, and all the volunteers and the Emergency Management Corps, so that, every time a sighting occurs, all the data is taken, size, species, exactly where (it was sighted), because that will allow us to create a monitoring system throughout the island to see what trends there are,” he argued then.

Following these publications, the DRNA has not reported on specific plans or federal funds requested to address the crisis.

While the DRNA expanded its hunting permit to include invasive snakes, it still allows the import and sale of others in that same category, such as the ball python, whose threat to the local ecosystem has already been recognized by the agency itself. ; a contradiction that, in the opinion of experts, endangers any effort to contain these species.

Despite the policies contained in the June 17 order, The New Day confirmed that The royal python, for example, is still available in well-known animal retail chains, such as Petco and PetSmart..

This medium It also confirmed that there is active sale, at least, of the royal python, through digital platforms such as Online Classifieds and Facebook Marketplace, in which it is not clear if there is a current sales permit.

Although repeatedly requested, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service The USFWS was not available during the year to react to the environmental crisis these snakes represent.