Sea snake found alive on beach now dead, likely 'hit with something'
A venomous sea snake found alive on a beach north of Auckland this morning appeared to have been fatally bitten by a dog and "hit with something" by the time Department of Conservation staff arrived.
A member of the public found the yellow-bellied sea snake alive near the sand dunes on the southern end of Omaha Beach on Sunday.
DOC senior ranger Karl Fisher said they were alerted at around 10am by an email from the member of the public.
"We have sent one of our rangers to check it out, but in the meantime, we want people and their dogs to stay away from the dunes at the southern end of Omaha beach."
However in an update at 2pm, DOC said attending staff had found the yellow-bellied sea snake dead.
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Fisher said it was clear the snake had been bitten by a dog and hit with something.
"It's very rare for these sea snakes to come onto land and it was probably blown in with the strong winds and needed a rest."
He said he wanted to remind the public it was illegal to kill native species and that DOC should have been notified.
"I can understand how someone might react if their dog was attacking the snake, but these snakes are venomous and should not be touched or interacted with."
The snake's body had been taken to the DOC office in Warkworth and would be examined by staff.
Yellow-bellied sea snakes were venomous and can be aggressive if threatened.
They were found throughout the Pacific Ocean and are native to New Zealand.
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Under the Wildlife Act 1953, it is illegal to harm, harass, or possess any part of a sea snake or krait.
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