HONOLULU —
A Waianae man turned in a 9-foot python that he raised in his garage, state Department of Agriculture officials said.The snake is non-venomous, officials of the Plant Quarantine Branch said.The owner tried to give the snake to the Honolulu Zoo, officials said. However, the zoo is not allowed to keep female snakes and is limited to only two non-venomous snakes by its state permit.Reptile handlers from the zoo and agricultural inspectors went to the Waianae home on Saturday to take the python.Reticulated pythons are native to Southeast Asia, Philippines and Indonesia, officials said. The snakes can grow to as big as 30 feet and weigh more than 250 pounds.Snakes are illegal in Hawaii. The owner will not be prosecuted because he turned it in through the state’s amnesty program.”Preventing the introduction and establishment of snakes in Hawai`i is our top priority,” said Domingo Cravalho Jr., of the Department of Agriculture. “People may think these are pets, but the damage snakes could do in Hawaii is irreversible. We need everyone’s help to protect Hawaii.”People who have illegal animals can turn them in to any HDOA Office, municipal zoo or any Humane Society, no questions asked. Someone caught with illegal animals can face fines up to $200,000 and three years in prison.If you have information about illegal animals in Hawaii you can call the state’s pest hot line at 643-PEST (7378).