Deadly vipers intercepted by Canada Post in Richmond, B.C.
One of three snakes survived the trip from China and was found loose in the box
An expert snake handler wrangled three Chinese Mountain Pit Vipers from a package at the Canada Post distribution centre in Richmond last week.
One of the deadly snakes had escaped the crate and was found loose in the surrounding box. The other two snakes died en route from China to Manitoba, the package's final destination.
The B.C. Conservation Officer Service sent an officer, along with a snake-handling veterinarian, out to the centre.
Chris Doyle, deputy chief of the service, said the vipers are extremely dangerous.
"There's no known anti-venom in B.C.," he said.
The snake is now being cared for by the veterinarian, according to Doyle.
This isn't the first time conservation officers have been called in to deal with dangerous animals in the mail.
"Last year there was an Asian Water Monitor, which is a venomous monitor," said Doyle. "It escaped the package and was loose in a courier truck."
The possession of the these snakes is prohibited in B.C. under the Controlled Alien Species Regulation.
Anyone aware of the transport of dangerous wildlife is asked to call the 24-hour Report All Poachers and Polluters line at 1-877-952-7277 (RAPP).