The snake, a venomous eastern small-eyed snake common on the Australian east coast, was found in a shipping container loaded with used car batteries from Australia at Petone, near Wellington, on Sunday. It has since been killed. The previous three snakes found this year were all located in port areas. In March, a poisonous eastern brown snake was found and killed at Petone, near a storage park with containers also filled with used car batteries from Brisbane. The society said snakes were a threat to native birds such as the flightless kiwi, which evolved in the absence of predators.
Containers are a biosecurity nightmare.
The society wants the government to enforce tougher controls on containers and suspend trade with exporters found to be sending containers contaminated with pests. Most of New Zealand's pests have been introduced, one of the most damaging being possums which destroy vast tracts of native forest every year. Recipients should seek permission to reprint the article from the source listed above. Reading on line, downloading or other use of this information signifies acceptance of these conditions, and the Full Disclaimer.