HONOLULU – A box containing several illegal animals was delivered anonymously to the Hilo Office of the Hawaii Department of Agriculture yesterday morning. The box contained a 22-inch albino corn snake, a bearded dragon lizard, a 19-inch iguana and two emperor scorpions – all of which are illegal to transport and possess in Hawaii.
Under the state's amnesty program, anyone who voluntarily turns in illegal animals is granted immunity from prosecution – no questions asked. Illegal animals may be turned in to any HDOA office, municipal zoo or Humane Society.
Anyone with information on illegal animals should call the state's toll-free PEST HOTLINE at 643-PEST (7378). Persons possessing illegal animals may be charged with a class C felony and subject to fines up to $200,000 and three years in prison.
Many illegal animals, such as snakes and large lizards, have no natural predators in Hawaii and pose a serious threat to Hawaii's environment. Many species also prey on birds and their eggs, increasing the threat to endangered native birds. Large snakes can also be a danger to the public and small pets.