OSOYOOS TIMES-July 29, 2009
By Paul Everest – Osoyoos Times
The Nk’Mip Desert Cultural Centre has been tasked with caring for 11 snakes seized from a vehicle attempting to enter Canada on July 11 at a border crossing east of Creston.
According to a media release from the Canada Border Services Agency, two travellers seeking entry to Canada from the U.S. were referred for a secondary examination when they tried to cross the border at the Kingsgate Port of Entry.
During the examination, officers found a loaded 9mm Ruger handgun in the pants of one of the travellers.
When officers searched the vehicle, they found five Western rattlesnakes, six gopher snakes, as well as four emperor scorpions and two tarantulas.
The snakes were seized and taken to the cultural centre for care, while the other animals were taken to the Vancouver Aquarium.
Although staff at the cultural centre were not allowed to speak to the media about the snakes, Dan Vo, a federal wildlife officer with Environment Canada, said the snakes were brought to Osoyoos because it was felt facilities that could care for the animals in Vancouver were too far away.
He said the snakes seemed fine at the time of the seizure and will eventually be released.
The individual carrying the weapon was charged with possession of a firearm and ammunition along with a charge of unauthorized possession of a firearm.
Vo said the case is still under investigation and it’s undetermined whether any charges relating to the animals will be laid.
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