Golfers at Blackwell Grange Golf Club in Darlington, County Durham, had an unexpected encounter with the wild recently. Two boa constrictors were discovered on the course within a week of each other, prompting concerns about irresponsible exotic pet ownership and the need for better animal welfare support.
A 12-year-old girl's golf lesson took a dramatic turn when her shot landed near one of the reptiles on June 13th. The first snake, measuring approximately two metres in length, was carefully relocated by Aaron Cox, a 40-year-old golf professional who moved to the UK from Australia eight years ago. A second, similarly sized boa constrictor was discovered on June 20th.
Cox, familiar with snakes from his native country and occasional encounters with adders on UK courses, expressed surprise at finding boas in the area. Both snakes were taken to a local reptile shop but unfortunately died shortly afterwards due to illness described as 'riddled with disease'.
Boa constrictors, native to South America, can reach lengths of over three metres and live for more than 30 years if properly cared for. However, their upkeep can be challenging, leading some owners to abandon them when the costs become overwhelming. Cox suspects that the snakes were deliberately left on the course by an owner struggling with the responsibilities of caring for a pet exotic animal.
The RSPCA has voiced concern over the abandonment of these reptiles and appealed to the public for information that could help identify those responsible. This incident highlights the growing issue of exotic pet abandonment, which often stems from the difficulties of providing long-term care for specialist animals.
Cox's comments suggest a possible pattern of exotic snake abandonment in the wider region. He noted, "I've been working here for over six summers and never seen anything like this before. Now we've had two incidents in a week, with reports of three more similar cases down in North Yorkshire."