09-05-2025
Three dead pythons have been found near Coniston since March
A woman who found a dead python on a Greater Sudbury hiking trail March 28 has since learned that two other pythons met the same fate in the area.
A woman who found a dead python on a Greater Sudbury hiking trail March 28 has since learned that two other pythons met the same fate in the area.
Maria Gollek snapped a picture of the snake she found while she was hiking on a trail near Coniston.
'The snake has a beautiful distinct pattern and it was curled up at the side of the pathway -- definitely not looking like the foliage or leaves,' Gollek said.
'I was like WOW! (That's) not supposed to be here and just went and had a look.'
Social media chatter
She posted the picture on social media and soon became aware of more dead snakes found in the area. She tucked the dead snake's remains under a shed, hoping for an investigation into the matter.
'Two days ago, somebody found … the second snake,' Gollek said.
'Upon people making comments about that somebody posted they had found a third one … which is between this location and where I found the other one.'
She said it appears as though, for whatever reason, someone is dumping the snakes outdoors.
'There could be a number of reasons, but there are better ways of finding new homes for them,' Gollek said.
'Yeah, dumping is not the answer.'
She said pythons are not native to the area and can't live in cold, spring conditions.
'They have no way of surviving out in the wild,' she said.
'And if, in fact, they were dead when they were dumped, there are other ways of disposing of them.'
After she found the first python, she called officials at Greater Sudbury and the Ministry of Natural Resources.
We reached out to the City of Greater Sudbury, which said it is not currently involved in the investigation.
And in an email to CTV News, the MNR said it doesn't investigate the deaths of snakes in these types of cases.
'You may wish to contact the Ontario Provincial Police or local animal control for further information,' the email said.
The MNR also stated that releasing exotic animals into the wild is illegal and may result in fines or charges.
