Our rescue coordinator @shiva_bagoo received a call regarding a snake behind someone's house in the Caratal area. Upon his arrival, he found this young red-tailed boa near to the homeowner's dog kennel. The snake bore marks about its body indicating that someone had previously tried to kill it. The snake was safely removed.
The red-tailed boa (Boa constrictor) is native to Trinidad and is a protected animal under the Conservation of Wildlife Act. Like all of our native snakes, it plays an important part in keeping our environment healthy. Boas help control rats, mice and other pests that damage crops and spread disease, and as both predator and prey they are part of the food web that holds our biodiversity together. When they are lost, that balance is thrown off, with effects that reach far beyond the snake itself.
The marks we found on this snake are very concerning, because they show that someone had already tried to kill it. Killing, wounding, capturing or keeping a protected animal, or any part of one, without a Special Game Licence is an offence under section 5 of the Conservation of Wildlife Act, Chap. 67:01. Since the Finance Act 2018 took effect in January 2019, it carries a fine of TT$10,000 or three months in prison.
If you find a snake at your home, please do not try to kill it. Keep your distance, keep children and pets away, and call WEPTT or the Forestry Division so the animal can be safely removed and released.
A big thank you to our Rescue Coordinator, Shiva Bagoo, for responding to this call and making sure this boa was safely removed and given a second chance.
Published by WEPTT · 6 November 2026
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