WALTON COUNTY, Ga. — Wildlife officials in Georgia and Florida have uncovered a black market trafficking ring specializing in highly venomous snakes.
After a year-long, undercover operation, the Ga. Department of Natural Resources and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission found nearly 200 snakes, many of which are listed among the ten deadliest species in the world.
DNR officials say this is especially dangerous because these snakes that aren’t native to Georgia or Florida, could soon become native species if they start breeding.
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“The issue with these snakes is they present a substantial public safety risk to anyone who handles them or is exposed to them,” Major Bob Holley with Ga. DNR told Channel 2′s Tom Regan on Friday.
Officials found 24 different species of snakes from seven regions across the globe being sold in the area, many of which there is not currently an antivenom for in Georgia.
‘The African Tree Viper, right now there is no anti-venom for the African tree viper,” Holley explained.
Holley says others of these snakes can even leave you permanently blind.
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Timothy James Gould was arrested in Munroe, Georgia. When they searched his truck, they found 27 exotic snakes.
They say Gould is a “well-established wildlife transporter and is unpermitted in the state of Georgia and Florida for any captive wildlife, let alone venomous reptiles.”
Officials say the business of illegally selling snakes can be lucrative. Depending on the species, a single snake could go for hundreds or thousands of dollars.
Because these species aren’t supposed to be in the area, many medical facilities don’t stock antivenom for them.
“If you’re bitten by one of these snakes, you could...experience a delay of several hours before an antivenom could be flown up from Miami, Florida,” Holley explained.
The snakes that were seized were taken to a reptile rescue. Eventually, they’ll be taken to a lawfully permitted facility like a zoo.
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