Snake found in Auckland had likely been sealed into a pipe in Australia

A snake that was found in south Auckland is thought to have been sealed into a pipe in Australia before being imported to New Zealand, the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) says, Stuff reports. On Tuesday, the snake was found at a construction site in south Auckland’s Papakura. Michael Taylor, a team manager for aquatic and environmental health at Biosecurity New Zealand said the snake has been identified as a carpet python (Morelia spilota). Meanwhile, early indications suggest the snake had made its way into a pipe which had then been sealed at both ends before it was imported from Australia. Snakes are barred in New Zealand under the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act.