The Forestry Department is urging heightened vigilance at the nation’s ports following the interception of a non-venomous North American racer snake inside a shipping container at the Vieux Fort Port on Friday, November 21.
Assistant Chief Forest Officer Pius Haynes confirmed that forestry personnel responded immediately after receiving the report and safely brought the situation under control.
“The snake was caught inside an empty shipping container, and the situation was placed under control,” Haynes said. “The snake in question was a North American racer, native to parts of the United States and Central America such as Mexico and Guatemala.”
Haynes stressed that the species is non-venomous and completely harmless, noting it is not the deadly African Black Mamba, a misconception that had circulated after the discovery. “This snake poses no venomous threat. It is a harmless species widely found in North America,” Haynes clarified.
According to the IUCN, the North American racer is listed as a “Least Concern” species due to its abundance in its native range. In keeping with biosecurity protocols, the snake was euthanized and disposed of appropriately to prevent any chance of a non-native population establishing itself in Saint Lucia.
Haynes explained that the incident reflects a larger and growing concern tied to the rise in global trade.
“Global trade and commercialization is one of the major pathways for the introduction of alien species into our region,” he said. “Wildlife from countries with whom Saint Lucia trades have reached our shores in the past.”
He noted that Saint Lucia has intercepted foreign stowaways before, including raccoons, snakes, iguanas, and geckos, underscoring the importance of strong biosecurity systems at ports of entry.
Past records show that shipments coming from the United States, particularly via Florida, have been a key source of accidental wildlife introductions.
Haynes warned that the establishment of any foreign snake or wildlife species could have devastating consequences for Saint Lucia’s delicate ecosystems.
“We can definitely NOT allow alien species of snakes or any other wildlife to establish a population on St. Lucia,” he emphasized. “The consequences to our indigenous and endemic biodiversity can be severe.”
Invasive species, he added, can also carry pests and diseases capable of damaging the local agricultural sector.
The Forestry Department is now calling for greater vigilance and enhanced inspection protocols at both the point of embarkation and disembarkation of goods.
“We need to be extremely careful when bringing in containers, especially those with primary goods from foreign countries,” Haynes said.
The department continues to collaborate with port authorities, customs officers, and other relevant agencies to ensure that similar incidents are intercepted quickly and managed safely.
