APPROXIMATELY 40 snake traps are currently set up around an area northeast of the Marpi landfill project after a man reported a snake sighting.
The Division of Fish and Wildlife yesterday said night searches were also ongoing at the vicinity where Brian Smith, an employee of the Department of Public Works, saw the snake at around 6:30 a.m. on June 22.
Smith reported the sighting to DFW two days later.
This is the third snake sighting reported to DFW in recent weeks, the other two were seen in Gualo Rai and in Sinapalo, Rota.
Nathaniel Hawley, DFW herpetologist, said Smith described the snake as brown, and saw 2 ft. of its body length with a diameter of about 3 inches.
Hawley said upon receiving the report on Monday, DFW’s Brown Tree Snake Program, with the help of Smith, immediately located the exact area of the sighting and conducted a visual search of the perimeter.
“Although no snakes were found, approximately 40 traps were put up around the area and night searches are ongoing,” said Hawley.
DFW is 95 percent sure of the accuracy of the report, and concluded that there is a strong possibility that what Smith saw was a snake.
The brown tree snake is considered to be the number one threat to the CNMI’s native wildlife.
An aggressive predator, it has caused the extinction of nearly all of Guam’s native bird species. It also causes costly electrical power outrages on Guam by climbing power lines.
The brown tree snake is mildly venomous—its bite can injure or even kill infants or young children.
The public is encouraged to immediately report any snake sighting to DFW at tel. no. 664-6011 or 664-6045.
Since 1991, about seven snakes have been found or captured in the CNMI.
