3 1/2-foot-long gopher snake euthanized after being caught on Maui

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - The live snake captured in Pukalani, Maui on Monday was tentatively identified by agriculture officials as a non-venomous female gopher snake.

State officials said it was found on the side of the road near the Pukalani Golf Club. Agriculture officials were called after a resident reported seeing children playing with the snake around 3 p.m.

Personnel, including MPD officers, were immediately dispatched and arrived on scene to find it contained within a plastic garbage bin. It measured 3 and a half feet long.

The snake was taken to the Plant Quarantine Office where it was humanely euthanized, according to the state.

The surrounding area was also inspected, and there was no other evidence of snakes found, the agriculture department said.

Snakes are illegal in Hawaii and pose a significant threat to native wildlife.

Anyone with information about illegal animals should call the statewide toll-free PEST HOTLINE at (808) 643-PEST (7378).

Individuals possessing illegal animals may be charged with a class C felony, face fines of up to $200,000, and three years in prison.

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