Tofino's slithery, lost beachgoer has been found, according to its owner.
Coastal Animal Rescue and Education Network co-founder James Rodgers told the Westerly News that the owner of a missing, six-foot boa constrictor reported he found his snake skulking deep in his kayak on Wednesday morning.
Tofino had been on the lookout for the six-foot boa constrictor that writhed away from its guardian at Chesterman Beach on Sunday and the CARE Network put out an alert asking for the public's assistance in finding the six-foot boa, which was believed to be around the Chesterman Beach area.
"Apparently a 6-foot boa (the snake kind) slithered away from some folks who were at mid-Chesterman. Any sightings? Please let us know so we can let the now snakeless guardian know," the Network announced in a Facebook post around 11:30 a.m. Monday morning.
That post spread rapidly across social media and Rodgers hopes to see similar interest spark up when fluffier animals are lost in the region.
"I wish we got a tenth of this kind of attention when a dog or cat goes missing," he said. "It was quite the news story; lots of interest and lots of folks are keen to hear about these things, but I don't want everyone to forget how many dogs and cats need help everyday and CARE is here to help."
Rodgers had told the Westerly on Tuesday that the lost boa was likely the most bizarre incident his team has experienced.
"Never a dull moment here at the CARE Network," he laughed. "We've had some odd ones in the past, but this one probably takes the cake."
He explained the boa slithered away from its guardian at mid-Chesterman on Sunday and it was reported to CARE Monday morning.
"The initial conversation was mostly me being very confused about what this guy was trying to say to me because it wasn't really computing that there was a six-foot snake on the loose, and a boa nonetheless," he said. "My reaction to being asked if a six-foot-long snake had shown up at the shelter was I was looking for cameras thinking I was getting punked."
Anyone interested in finding more information about the CARE Network or support its efforts is encouraged to visit www.carenetwork.ca.
"We can always use some likes and donations and support in just about anyway," Rodgers said. "It's a busy time with a lot of animals needing help and we're here doing the helping.""
