Long Islander's Burmese Python, Anaconda Seized After Undercover Sale

MIDDLE ISLAND, NY — State wildlife officials seized a Long Islander's yellow anaconda, as well as a collection of illegal reptiles, including a Burmese Python, on Sunday, after its owner was caught trying to sell one of the snakes in New Jersey.

Department of Environmental Conservation officials said New Jersey State Fish and Wildlife contacted an environmental conservation officer about snakes from Long Island that were offered for sale in New Jersey on Aug. 10. The officer then notified environmental crime investigators, and New Jersey officers arranged an undercover purchase of a yellow anaconda on Sunday, officials said.

An investigator then coordinated the interstate efforts and surveilled the owner’s Middle Island home during the sale, while environmental control officers were staged nearby to assist, according to officials.

New Jersey Fish and Wildlife were able to successfully-intercept the anaconda's owner, seized the reptile, and issued tickets for the unlawful possession and sale of the snake, according to officials.

The snake's owner agreed to turn over the remainder of his collection of "unlawful snakes" to environmental conservation officers, officials said, adding that it included a 4-foot Burmese python and a 5-foot reticulated python. Both snakes are dangerous constrictors capable of reaching lengths of more than 16 feet and are illegal to possess in New York without a permit, according to officials.

The owner, whose name was not released, received a ticket for possessing a wild animal as a pet and faces administrative fines from the conservation department, and the snakes will be transferred to a reptile center out of state, officials said.