A poisonous snake escaped in the Bronx zoo: staff claims there is no danger

A poisonous, tree-climbing 3-foot (almost 1 meter) mangrove snake is free after it escaped from its aviary at the Bronx Zoo (New York) on Tuesday, August 6, in the evening - but the authorities put up just an 1 warning a sign that minimizes the danger to visitors. Writes about it New York Post.

Фото: Depositphotos

Next to the ticket office for the Jungle World exhibition, the sign reads: “Dear visitors, the Jungle World exhibition does not have one 3 and a half foot mangrove snake. They are slightly poisonous, but not dangerous for people. "

“Mangrove snakes are arboreal species that are active at night. There is a small chance of seeing or coming into contact with this snake due to its timid, secretive nature, but if you see one, please report it to a staff member,” the sign also reads.

There were no known deaths from a bite of mangrove snakes, although their venom can cause painful swelling and discoloration of the skin.

On the subject: The most dangerous island in the world is teeming with venomous snakes

Most people lining up to get into the exhibit didn't notice the small sign and weren't verbally warned to pay the $6 ticket - and many said they wouldn't have entered if they'd known the snake had escaped and was still inside .

“It’s irresponsible of them,” said Lucia Crespo, 29, a teacher who came with her young son. - This is scary, I have a 3-year-old son. Now I'm terrified... I don't like snakes at all."

33-year-old Queens man Engelbert Balboa was also horrified by the news.

"I'm afraid. She might bite. “I wouldn’t have gone there if I had known,” he said. “To think I went there with my son, my mother and my sister.”

Most snakes in the zoo, including king cobra and anaconda, live in the separate World of Reptiles exhibition, but Timorean pythons and mangrove snakes living on trees live in separate glass cases in the World of the Jungle to show their natural habitat in South-East Asia.

The rest of the "Jungle World" is surrounded only by a bamboo fence.

On the subject: The most dangerous island in the world is teeming with venomous snakes

It was noticed that two employees of the zoo with lanterns searched the area where the snake disappeared, but so far no one has explained how the snake managed to escape.

One employee said that she somehow “slipped”.

“You know, they're very smart,” he said.

Фото: Depositphotos

The worker said that a night brigade would be sent to continue the search.

When asked whether it’s safe for people to walk here, he dismissively answered: “If it weren’t safe, do you think I would stand here?”

Mangrove snakes are nocturnal snakes native to Southeast Asia that feed on small mammals, birds and rats, as well as reptiles including lizards and other snakes.

This isn't the first time a snake has gone missing from the Bronx Zoo. The deadly Egyptian cobra escaped in 2011 - and was not found for a week.

On the subject: 14 Risks New Yorkers Face

This year, the zoo was already involved in a scandal in connection with the treatment of the elephant Happy, who for 13 years lives alone in this zoo.

In June, more than 100 protesters appeared at the zoo demanding that Happy be sent to an animal shelter where she could live happily with other elephants.

But the director of the zoo, Jim Briti, insisted that Happy was happy, saying: "She is happy and her condition is assessed by people who know her best."

Read also on ForumDaily:

11 mistakes made by tourists who first arrived in New York

40 Free Entertainment in New York

14 Risks New Yorkers Face

Goosebumps: 12 creepy insects that are found in New York. A PHOTO

Do you want more important and interesting news about life in the USA and immigration to America? — support us donate! Also subscribe to our page Facebook. Select the “Priority in display” option and read us first. Also, don't forget to subscribe to our РєР ° РЅР ° Р »РІ Telegram  and Instagram- there is a lot of interesting things there. And join thousands of readers ForumDaily New York — there you will find a lot of interesting and positive information about life in the metropolis.