A snake that hitched a ride from Australia in shipping container was discovered by a snake-trained biosecurity official in Dunedin.
The Ministry for Primary Industries inspector has only just completed snake training in Adelaide before they found the dead snake in the container from Brisbane, which was being de-contaminated at a secure quarantine facility.
MPI's southern border clearance services team leader Craig Jorgensen said the snake appeared to have been making a bid for freedom when it got caught in wire mesh, where it was found dead.
"Netting is ideal for catching snakes, as they easily get tangled."
The snake was yet to be formally identified, but was believed to be a non-venomous carpet python.
