
A Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) raid went from routine to tragically surreal after wildlife officers mistakenly killed a legally owned boa constrictorβa beloved pet estimated to be worth $100,000 including its unborn babies
π Hereβs 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 babiesβeach 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 boltβgun, often mistaken for a nail gun, to euthanize Big Shirl. The snake reportedly writhed on camera for over 20 minutes, shocking everyone present
π± The Fallout & Fury
- The snakeβs owner, Bill McAdam, was visibly distraught on camera, saying: βI reminded you ten times! You just killed something that wasnβt illegalβ¦ and it had about $100,000 worth ofβ―f*cking babies!β 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: βItβs just horrificβ¦ to see animals treated like this is just unconscionable.β 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
π₯ Key Details at a Glance
π Element | π 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 | Boltβgun (similar to nail gun), not followed by humane protocol |
Public Reaction | Outrage from reptile community, owner devastated |
π Final Thought
A mission to reins in invasive reptiles turned into a heartbreaking tragedy, all because of a tragic identification error. A longβtime pet boaβcarrying a highβvalue litterβwas slaughtered in cold blood, with the fallout leaving the reptile world reeling. The FWC has since vowed reforms, but for the keeper and millions onlineβit’s a trauma that can’t be undone.