HOUSTON CHRONICLE (Texas) 05 August 04 Brenham authorities trying to corral big snake
Brenham (AP): A snake estimated to be long enough to stretch from one side of a street to the other is being hunted by Brenham authorities.
Experts have speculated the snake may be a boa or python whose owner no longer wanted to care for it. Such exotic animals as pets are illegal within the limits of Brenham, a city of 13,500 about 75 miles northwest of Houston.
"We're in our third week of trying to capture this snake," Doug Baker, Brenham's public works director, said. "We're being very aggressive in trying to catch it."
City Manager Terry Roberts told The Brenham Banner-Press on Wednesday there have been several sightings of the animal in a brushy, tree-filled creek channel. Officials, however, haven't publicized the snake's presence in case extra attention scared it away.
Traps have been set but Baker said officials are having trouble finding people with expertise to provide help. Roberts said they've received some information from the Houston Zoo.
Boa constrictors and pythons, both non venomous, aren't considered aggressive toward humans unless cornered. They are native to tropical areas, not the prairies of southeast Texas.
Theresa Maxwell, Brenham's animal control officer, said the snake probably lurks in treetops and is nocturnal.
Roberts said he just wants residents to be aware of the snake and immediately report if they've seen it.
"Don't be volunteer trapping assistants," he advised. "And we're prepared 24/7 if they've observed it."
A 7-foot python was caught last week at a landscaping company but it's not believed to be the snake being hunted.
http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/metropolitan/2720719
BRENHAM BANNER (Texas) 04 August 04 Officials seek public's help to corral snake (Arthur Hahn)
Brenham officials are asking for the public's help -- on a limited basis -- to corral a large snake that so far has managed to avoid capture.
The snake, stretching from one side of the street to the other, in May was seen crossing Market Street. That initial siting, however, was unconfirmed until city officials were told about a large snake that had been freed by its owner who no longer wanted to care for it.
There have since been several sitings in a brushy, tree-filled creek channel east of Market Street.
City Manager Terry Roberts said this morning that the sitings "have been very localized" in that area. There are indications that the snake has remained there for some time, he added.
Experts have speculated that it could be a large boa or python. Neither species is considered aggressive toward humans unless cornered.
Public works director Doug Baker said the city has been trying diligently to snare the snake.
"We're in our third week of trying to capture this snake," Baker said. "We're being very aggressive in trying to catch it."
At the same time, he said, the city has not publicized the snake's presence to avoid generating any attention that might cause it to leave that area.
The area where the snake is believed to have located is being observed by the city on a daily basis.
A snake expert has set traps in the area, but thus far those have not enticed the reptile.
Baker said part of the problem has been a lack of resources which the city can tap into.
"We can't find anybody to come in and give us some help," he said.
The Houston Zoo has been very helpful in providing some information, said Roberts.
But outside that and the trapper who was called in, there has not been much aid available, he said.
The city's animal control department Saturday did capture a seven-foot python at Glasco & Co. Landscaping, located at Lauraine and FM 577, but that is believed to be a separate snake.
Roberts said the city is asking residents to simply be aware of the snake and to report any sitings "immediately."
"Don't be volunteer trapping assistants," he said. "And we're prepared (to respond) 24/7 if they've observed it."
Anyone spotting the snake can report it by calling 337-7592.
The snake is probably remaining mainly in treetops, and it is nocturnal, said Theresa Maxwell, the city's animal control officer.
City officials also issued a public reminder that "exotic animals" such as reptiles, large cats and primates are banned inside the Brenham city limits.
Anyone owning such an animal is asked to turn it in at the animal shelter, 2007 Old Chappell Hill Road.
http://www.brenhambanner.com/articles/2004/08/04/news/news02.txt
