Assistant Chief Forest Officer Pius Haynes has condemned the stoning of a group of boa constrictors in a viral video on social media this week.
The Agriculture Ministry official explained that the snakes were mating and seeing people ill-treating the non-venomous species was disturbing.
Although the time and place of the incident were unclear, Haynes told St. Lucia Times that usually, Saint Lucia boas mate from December to early January when typically five or six males surround a single female, which is larger.
The snakes are protected fully under the Saint Lucia Wildlife Protection Act.
“It is unacceptable for members of the public to be indiscriminately killing those boas, throwing rocks at them,” Haynes explained.
He also noted it is an offence to treat protected wildlife in such a manner, which could result in fines of up to $5000.
The Assistant Chief Forest Officer urged people to desist from such irresponsible and reckless activities and contact the Forestry Department if they encounter snakes.
“We will come in, rescue the boas and relocate them, but we will not tolerate people indiscriminately hurting and killing boas, especially at this time of year when they are mating,” Haynes told St. Lucia Times.
He revealed that after mating during December and January, the reptiles give birth during April and May.
Any third-party or user posts, comments, replies, and third-party entries published on the St. Lucia Times website (https://stluciatimes.com) in no way convey the thoughts, sentiments or intents of St. Lucia Times, the author of any said article or post, the website, or the business. St. Lucia Times is not responsible or liable for, and does not endorse, any comments or replies posted by users and third parties, and especially the content therein and whether it is accurate.
St. Lucia Times reserves the right to remove, screen, edit, or reinstate content posted by third parties on this website or any other online platform owned by St. Lucia Times (this includes the said user posts, comments, replies, and third-party entries) at our sole discretion for any reason or no reason, and without notice to you, or any user. For example, we may remove a comment or reply if we believe it violates any part of the St. Lucia Criminal Code, particularly section 313 which pertains to the offence of Libel. Except as required by law, we have no obligation to retain or provide you with copies of any content you as a user may post, or any other post or reply made by any third-party on this website or any other online platform owned by St. Lucia Times. All third-parties and users agree that this is a public forum, and we do not guarantee any confidentiality with respect to any content you as a user may post, or any other post or reply made by any third-party on this website. Any posts made and information disclosed by you is at your own risk.
