The snakes are returned to the wilderness by rangers. Photo: Qld Government
Eight rare snakes taken from their habitat have been returned to the wild in Far North Queensland.
On December 31, 2024, the Qld Environment Department said, it was tipped off that snakes were taken from the Lockhart River area on Cape York Peninsula.
Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) rangers and police then stopped a vehicle in the Coen area.
A search of the vehicle revealed six green tree pythons and two brown tree snakes, which were seized by rangers.
On January 2, 2025, after the snakes were assessed as being in good health, QPWS and Kuuku Ya’u rangers released the snakes back to the wild.
Compliance Manager Mike Devery said green tree pythons are a spectacular ‘near threatened’ protected species that only occur in limited parts of Cape York Peninsular.
“The removal of one near-threatened species from the wild can have significant and detrimental impacts on local populations,” Devery says.
“Due to the striking colours of juvenile and adult green tree pythons, they are targeted by wildlife smugglers as part of the unlawful trade of wildlife.”
Devery says most green tree pythons removed from the wild die during the smuggling process or once in captivity.
“This is why we have zero tolerance for the removal of any native animal from the wild, and we will take strong action against anyone found in possession of native animals without a permit,” he says.
“Under the Nature Conservation Act 1992, capturing native animals from the wild without a relevant permit is prohibited.
“Significant penalties apply for unlawfully taking a snake from the wild. If the taking is from a National Park, the maximum penalty is $483,900 or two-years imprisonment.”
The department says investigations into the incident are continuing.
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Anyone with information about the illegal trade of native plants or animals should call 1300 130 372. All reports are investigated, the department says.
