Metre-long ball python dumped on Burnaby Mountain

A Burnaby parks employee spotted a metre-long snake, believed to be a ball python, on Monday, Aug. 10, 2015. (CTV)

A wayward exotic snake spotted in a wooded area of Burnaby Mountain was likely a pet that was dumped there, say park staff that are now desperately trying to find it.

A city employee spotted the metre-long snake, believed to be a ball python, on Monday and snapped a photo of it. By the time they returned with a plastic bucket to collect it, the snake had left the area.

“Immediately staff figured it’s not supposed to be there, it’s not indigenous to the area and it had moved off into the bush,” said Parks Director Dave Ellenwood.

Experts say not to worry: ball pythons are non-venomous and shy. However, it’s feared there may be others.

Ellenwood said the snake would likely not survive in the area on its own because of predators like coyotes, and even dogs.

“It’s a very irresponsible act to dump an exotic pet. It’s a lifelong endeavor,” he said.

Anyone who sees the snake is asked to call the Burnaby SPCA.