Venomous snake on the loose in Ajax captured

A venomous Copperhead snake that was spotted at a conservation area has been found.

CityNews reporter Faiza Amin said the dangerous reptile was spotted just before 7 p.m. Wednesday.

Officials say someone saw the slithering creature at the Greenwood Conservation Area on Sunday. It was reported to the Toronto Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) on Tuesday.

Signs have been plastered around Greenwood Conservation Area in Ajax, Ont., warning hikers about a copperhead snake, according to the town’s manager of bylaw services, Derek Hannan.

The snake, more than a metre in length, was seen near a tree in the park. The conservation authority called the Toronto Zoo to help identify the snake.

Dr. Andrew Lentini, Toronto Zoo Curator of Reptiles and Amphibians told 680 NEWS that there is some reason for concern but the animal is not looking for trouble.

“This animal is typically a shy animal,” said Dr. Lentini. “They rely on their cryptic patterning to go undetected and really don’t want confrontations with people.”

Elizabeth Oakley of Toronto and Region Conversation said the snake is certainly causing concern.

“It is something we certainly don’t expect to see at our conservation or park,” said Oakley, who noted the snake is native to the southern United States.

“This one is a concern because it is a non-native species,” Oakley told 680 NEWS. “These snakes are venomous, they aren’t deadly but they will make you very sick if you are bitten.”

“It would be a very unpleasant experience,” Oakley said.

Dr. Lentini said the potential for a bite is there.

“If somebody was to harass the animal, if the animal felt threatened, they would protect themselves and the way they would do that primary is by biting,” he said. “A bite from one of these animals, although a medical emergency, is not on the same level as a heart attack.”

Dr. Lentini said that if a person was bit they would have a couple to several hours to seek treatment.

Anti-venom is the treatment that would be administered and should provide a full recovery. It has been confirmed that the Toronto Zoo does have a supply of anti-venom on hand.

“A bite to a small dog could result in the death of the animal,” he added. “If a pet is bitten it should be taken immediately to a veterinarian. With immediate treatment, few deaths have occurred. Anti-venom is not usually administered to dogs since there is a good chance of recovery without it and because use of antivenom is cost-prohibitive.”

Oakley said that it is pure speculation as to how the snake got into the conservation area but they have reason to believe it was “illegally released.”

In Montreal, animal emergency experts are also trying to catch a snake on the loose.

The python, which is more than one metre long, has been on the lam for a week after escaping from a home in the borough of Verdun.

Authorities believed they had located it in a crack in a wall in a home but the snake, which goes by the name of “Lady,” was not there. Lady is not venomous.

Anyone who spots the snake should not approach or touch it, but contact Ajax Animal Services at 905-683-8275 or bylawservices@ajax.ca. People are also reminded to keep their dogs on a leash and stay on marked trails.

“If it doesn’t perceive you as a threat it won’t come after you,” said Dr. Lentini.

CityNews reporter Faiza Amin reported live from the scene. See her updates below.