A surprise visitor at Miracle Beach Provincial Park had BC Conservation Officers clearing trails and turning away parkgoers on Thursday after it was confirmed a five-foot boa constrictor was on the loose.
Conservation Officers responded to reports of a large snake spotted in the area and, with the help of BC Parks staff, temporarily closed off several trails to keep visitors safe during the search.
The boa was successfully captured around 1 p.m. and, following consultation with the province’s wildlife veterinarian, is now in the care of the Comox Valley SPCA.
The hefty snake is considered a restricted reptile under BC’s Controlled Alien Species (CAS) regulation. While a permit isn’t needed to own one, releasing it into the wild is a big no-no.
Conservation Officers are now investigating how the snake ended up in the park, and enforcement action could follow depending on what they find.
This snake is not believed to be connected to a similar case in Tofino, where a boa constrictor was recently reported loose near Chesterman Beach.
Surprisingly, this isn’t the first time Conservation Officers have had to deal with exotic escapees. Over the years, they’ve captured everything from monkeys to alligators—and even lions.
Conservation Officers undergo specialized training to safely handle non-native species like these, all regulated under the CAS framework to protect both the public and BC’s ecosystems.
