WORLD NEWS
A 2.5-metre boa was found in a Bogotá car engine — it did not come from the river
A boa about 2.5 meters long was found inside the engine of a family’s car in the Bosa area of Bogotá, Colombia, and was safely rescued by environmental authorities and firefighters and environmental police. The boa is not a natural resident of Bogotá and the savannah and is currently being examined at a wildlife rehabilitation center.
Authorities denied the explanation that the snake came from the nearby Tunhuelito River. Only two possibilities are being investigated: that the animal was hidden in a car in the warm Biota area, where the family visited a few days ago, or that it escaped or was abandoned after illegal trade or breeding, and the introduction route has not yet been confirmed.
Where and how did you find it?
The incident was reported on August 25 in the El Jardín neighborhood of Bosa, south of Bogota. Boa was hiding deep in the engine compartment of the family car. The Environmental Agency, Bogotá Fire Brigade, and Environmental Police approached together to remove people and animals from harm and transfer them to a wildlife treatment facility.
Why not a snake from the city river
Bogotá’s high altitude and low temperature do not suit the boa’s natural distribution environment. Boas live in the lower, warmer tropical wet and dry forests and rural areas. Authorities have drawn a line that they should not be interpreted as objects that appear naturally in urban rivers.
How did they get into the car?
The family had visited Biota, in the province of Cundinamarca, a few days before the discovery. Authorities are looking into the possibility that he hid in the engine room there and traveled to Bogota. Another hypothesis is that individuals involved in illegal trade or breeding escaped or were abandoned. Neither has yet been proven.
If you find it, why can’t you catch it yourself?
Boas are not venomous snakes, but they are wild animals that tighten their bodies, and when stressed, they can bite people or hide deeper. Even starting a vehicle can injure an animal. It is safe to keep your distance and report any bites to children and pets to local environmental and fire authorities.
What to check next
The rehabilitation center determines whether and where radiation can be released after evaluating health status and source clues. If traces of illegal transactions are confirmed, this may lead to a separate investigation. What is confirmed now is that the structure’s location, approximately 2.5 meters in length, is in an unnatural habitat, and its travel route will have to await further announcements.