A “highly venomous” yellow-bellied sea snake was found dead by a member of the public over the weekend on Rangiahua/Flat Island, near Aotea/Great Barrier Island.
Department of Conservation project manager Sarah Dwyer said the snake was found on Saturday.
“Thankfully, the snake was reported immediately to DOC and is now at the DOC office on Aotea. The snake will be sent to Te Papa for their collection.”
This latest sighting is not the first of its kind in recent times.
On April 27, 1News reported a yellow-bellied sea snake was discovered alive on a beach north of Auckland.
When DOC arrived at the location, however, it said the snake was dead after it appeared to have been bitten by a dog and “hit with something”.
A live snake had also been found near Hokitika on the West Coast in recent weeks.
It was expected more sightings would occur, due to storm events in the warmer waters to the north of New Zealand where the snakes generally live.
Dwyer said sea snakes and kraits were occasional visitors to New Zealand’s waters but they were considered a native species under the Wildlife Act 1953.
“This is because they arrive here naturally from time to time on ocean currents — rather than by human transportation.
“It is therefore illegal to kill or harass a sea snake, or possess one or any part of one without a permit.”
Dwyer said sea snakes and kraits were highly venomous but they were “docile creatures”.
“There is no record of anyone in New Zealand being bitten.”
DOC marine science adviser Karen Middlemiss said snakes generally didn’t last long after arriving in New Zealand.
“The waters are far too cold, so when they do wash up on the beaches, they don’t survive very much longer than a couple of days.”
If someone found a sea snake or krait, Dwyer recommended to “keep well away” and call 0800 DOC HOT.
