The vessel arrived directly from Guam with a mixed load of containers and break bulk cargo.
The unloading procedure began at 930 a.m. starting first with the containers and then the break bulk items.
After the containers were off-loaded a bundle of rebar was about to be off-loaded when Rota Terminal and Transfer employees noticed an object that appeared to be a piece of rope fall from the rebar bundle into the water next to the vessel.
The object was retrieved and was found to be an emaciated brown tree snake approximately 44 inches in length.
Quarantine Inspector Irene Apatang verified the capture at 9: 45 a.m. and instructed Quarantine Inspector Joseph Atalig to retrieve the snake from Jason Maritita, the Commonwealth Port Authority employee who recovered the snake from the water.
The Department of Lands and Natural Resources’ Division of Agriculture, Quarantine Section then proceeded with a 100 percent visual inspection of the vessel and cargo, including the contents of the previously off-loaded containers.
After retrieving animal and interviewing all of the staff involved the Division of Fish and Wildlife is certain that snake collected is a brown tree snake — Bioga irregularis — approximately 44 inches in total length.
It is also the division’s best estimate that the animal was dead upon arrival and had been dead for approximately one to two weeks before it was discovered on Rota based on its emaciated state.
It appears that the snake was not crushed or harmed physically by the movement of cargo.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services on Guam was contacted regarding this voyage and it has been verified that all cargo had been searched prior to departure by BTS detector canines.
BTS canines are trained to search for live snakes — which have a distinct smell as compared to decomposing/dead snakes —and that searching a vessel is considered to be extremely hazardous to the health of the canine.
The Division of Fish and Wildlife would like to commend the Rota agencies and their staff involved on their excellent coordination, inspection, and implementation of protocol.
Fish and Wildlife’s Director Sylvan O. Igisomar reminded residents that all snakes seen in the CNMI should be approached with caution and be reported immediately to the snake hotline 28-SNAKE (287-6253).
If the snake sighted is confirmed as a brown tree snake, it may easily be killed by a blow to the head or body with a heavy object.
Brown tree snakes are typically describe as brown to olive green in color, with yellowish bellies, a triangular shaped head the is noticeably larger than the neck, with vertical cat shaped pupils.
The brown tree snake was introduced on Guam in the 1940’s and has since been responsible for the extinction of numerous bird and lizard species as well as frequent power outages. It also poses a health risk to infants.
Fish and Wildlife would like to remind everyone that the CNMI has no native snake species.
Therefore, it is extremely important to report all snake sightings to the DLNR-DFW immediately by calling 670-28-SNAKE (670-287-6253).
