A Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) raid went from routine to tragically surreal after wildlife officers mistakenly killed a legally owned boa constrictor—a beloved pet estimated to be worth $100,000 including its unborn babies
🐍 Here’s What Went Down
- In April 2023, FWC officers entered a reptile facility in Broward County to euthanize 34 prohibited pythons, per state order. But in the chaos, they also euthanized Big Shirl, a boa constrictor that was not on the banned list and belonged legally to reptile keeper Bill McAdam. YouTube+6myfwc.com+6Reptiles Magazine+6
- That boa was pregnant with 32 fully developed babies—each potential offspring likely valued at $3,500 to $7,500, making the total litter worth well over $100K. Reptiles Magazine+1NewsRadio WFLA+1
- Footage shows officers using a bolt‑gun, often mistaken for a nail gun, to euthanize Big Shirl. The snake reportedly writhed on camera for over 20 minutes, shocking everyone present
😱 The Fallout & Fury
- The snake’s owner, Bill McAdam, was visibly distraught on camera, saying: “I reminded you ten times! You just killed something that wasn’t illegal… and it had about $100,000 worth of f*cking babies!” en.wikipedia.org+10Reptiles Magazine+10WSVN 7News+10WSVN 7News+2Facebook+2ebaumsworld.com+2
- Reptile hobby groups like the United States Association of Reptile Keepers (USARK) lambasted the FWC for poor protocol and lack of awareness. One USARK spokesperson said: “It’s just horrific… to see animals treated like this is just unconscionable.” YouTube+7Facts Catalogue+7floridapolitics.com+7
- FWC internally admitted the boa was not on the euthanasia list and pledged to review internal processes to prevent similar disasters
💥 Key Details at a Glance
| 🔍 Element | 📌 Detail |
|---|---|
| Species | Boa constrictor (“Big Shirl”) |
| Pregnancy | 32 fully formed babies |
| Worth | Estimated over $100K total |
| Incident | FWC mistakenly euthanized pet during Python purge |
| Method | Bolt‑gun (similar to nail gun), not followed by humane protocol |
| Public Reaction | Outrage from reptile community, owner devastated |
🔚 Final Thought
A mission to reins in invasive reptiles turned into a heartbreaking tragedy, all because of a tragic identification error. A long‑time pet boa—carrying a high‑value litter—was slaughtered in cold blood, with the fallout leaving the reptile world reeling. The FWC has since vowed reforms, but for the keeper and millions online—it’s a trauma that can’t be undone.
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