St. Lucia Condemns Killing of Five Boas Endemic to the Island
CASTRIES, St. Lucia – Forestry officials have condemned the killing of at least five boas or Tete Chien snakes by members of the public, saying “this extreme cruelty to wildlife is unacceptable and constitutes a major offence”.
One oof the five boas killed in St. Lucia (Forestry Department Photo)The Forestry Department said it is in receipt of a “very disturbing video, circulated on social media”, showing the killings of the snakes, adding that the St. Lucia boa is listed as “Protected Wildlife” under the Wildlife Act.
The Department said that the St. Lucia boa (Boa orophias) is a non-venomous snake that is endemic to the island and that the animal poses no threat to humans.
“As a matter of fact, boas predominantly prey on rats which poses a greater concern for public health through the spread of Leptospirosis”.
The Forestry Department said that in the video the boas were bludgeoned to death with a stick. Additionally, a large rock was hurled at the animals to ensure their death.
“The Forestry Department categorically condemns such irresponsible and indiscriminate killing of our protected and endemic wildlife and will in no way condone such illegal acts perpetrated by members of the public. The Forestry Department will therefore seek all legal avenues to ensure that the perpetrators of such wildlife crime receive the maximum penalty for their illegal actions.”
The Department gave no date as to when the killings occurred noting that a “person commits an offence who for the purpose of killing or capturing any protected or partially protected wildlife, using any live animal or any decoy or appliance whatsoever”
The Forestry Department said it is collaborating with the police on the matter and with their assistance “an immediate arrest will be effected and charges will be laid against the perpetrators of this horrific and disturbing wildlife crime”.
The Forestry Department said it is seeking the maximum penalty, as per the Wildlife Act, of EC$5000 (One EC dollar=US$0.37 cents) per animal killed or imprisonment or both.
The Department said it is also aware that in some communities the snakes are being “hunted, stewed and sold as a delicacy” warning “this too is an offence against the Wildlife Act, and anyone caught hunting, purchasing or selling boa meat or stew will be prosecuted under the law.
“The Forestry Department will not tolerate the indiscriminate killing and persecution of protected wildlife.
“Our indigenous biodiversity plays a very important role in conditioning our environment so that the environment in return can provide the ecosystem services and functions that are necessary to support and sustain human lives and livelihoods” the Forestry Department said, adding “it is therefore the duty of all to help conserve nature and use its resources in a sustainable and responsible manner”.
