Is It Safe to Release Captured Snakes? Debate Over Non-Native Black Kingsnake Found in Yangju

A snake measuring over 1 meter recently made headlines after being discovered in a home in Yangju, Gyeonggi-do.

The snake, which suddenly appeared in a blanket in the living room, was captured by fire authorities and released into a nearby stream.

The news report prompted numerous comments from the public questioning whether it is appropriate to release snakes in this manner.

Concerns were raised regarding potential harm to humans, as well as the possibility of ecosystem disruption if the snake, suspected to be a non-native species, is released into the wild.

A significant portion of calls received by the 119 emergency service involves animal capture.

According to the 2025 Fire Agency Statistical Yearbook, animal-related operations accounted for 14.7% (98,258 cases) of the 669,756 119 life safety dispatches in 2024.

Common animals subject to capture requests include dogs, cats, birds, water deer, wild boars, and snakes.

The post-capture handling process varies depending on the type of animal.

According to the Fire Agency, if the owner of a dog or cat is identified, the animal is returned to them; if the animal is abandoned or lost, it is handed over to local governments or relevant associations.

Wild boars and water deer are classified as "harmful animals" and are typically culled during the capture process.

The Wildlife Protection and Management Act also classifies wild boars, water deer, and pheasants as wildlife that can cause damage to human life or property.

The Fire Agency explained that wild boars, which are frequently found in urban areas, are highly aggressive and are often captured in cooperation with the police and culled during the process.

Culled wild boars are disposed of as waste in accordance with relevant laws. The agency added that the procedure for water deer is similar.

Birds reported to 119 are often rare or protected species, and these are handed over to relevant agencies or organizations after capture.

Aside from animals, there are also many requests for the removal of bees or beehives.

In 2024, 45.5% (304,821 cases) of 119 life safety dispatches were requests for the removal of bees or beehives.

A Fire Agency official stated, "Bees are removed on-site using chemicals or fire, but if there is a risk of fire spreading due to the proximity of residential areas, they are collected in bags and removed elsewhere."

The Fire Agency's animal handling methods are governed by a manual.

The agency's Standard Operating Procedures for Disaster Sites provide specific, step-by-step guidelines to ensure that firefighters can respond quickly and accurately in various situations, including procedures for animal capture.

The regulations state that "when wildlife is captured, it should be handed over to relevant agencies (organizations) or released in an appropriate area, such as a nearby mountain."

Furthermore, it specifies that "general animals should be handed over to the owner or relevant agencies."

Whether or not an animal is classified as wildlife serves as the criterion for determining whether it should be released.

However, the regulations also include a provision that "if protection is needed due to injury or if the animal is an endangered species, it must be handed over to relevant agencies (organizations)."

Exceptions are permitted in these cases.

Under the Wildlife Protection and Management Act, snakes native to Korea are classified as wildlife.

The Fire Agency explained that the snake captured in the Yangju home was released according to these criteria.

An official from the Fire Agency's rescue division explained in a phone call, "The principle is to release the animal unless it is an endangered species or injured."

The Standard Operating Procedures for Disaster Sites only specify the release location as an "appropriate area, such as a nearby mountain."

The Fire Agency official added, "When releasing such animals, we also consider whether there is a risk of harm to humans. We choose release locations in areas like deep mountains where people do not frequently travel, and the snake from Yangju was released in such a place."

Rat snakes are also released in the same manner as other snakes.

Regarding the snake captured in the Yangju home, concerns were raised because it was 1 meter long, potentially posing a risk to humans, and was suspected to be a non-native "Black Kingsnake," leading to fears of ecosystem disruption upon release.

In this regard, Lee Tae-won, head of the Korea Amphibian and Reptile Association, judged that it was indeed a Black Kingsnake based on the snake's entirely black body in the photo, as well as its head shape and scales.

The Black Kingsnake is a non-native species originating from regions including Mexico; it is non-venomous and reaches a length of about 1 meter when fully grown.

Kingsnakes, as the name suggests, have the characteristic of preying on other snakes.

Experts interpret that since Black Kingsnakes are popular as pets in Korea, it is highly likely that the snake escaped from a nearby enclosure rather than having been abandoned.

Addressing concerns that the Black Kingsnake might harm humans, Lee said, "It is not venomous, so even if a person is bitten, it is not fatal."

However, he advised, "Snakes have a characteristic where their teeth can easily break off when biting, so if bitten, the wound may not heal quickly and should be treated properly."

Regarding the possibility of ecosystem disruption pointed out online, he explained that there is no need for major concern.

This is because Kingsnakes imported into Korea are generally bred in artificial conditions rather than in the wild, making it unlikely that they carry wild diseases.

Additionally, while a group of both males and females could potentially reproduce and impact the ecosystem, it is difficult to anticipate mass reproduction from the release of a single individual.

However, he added that as it is already a large adult, there could be issues with it preying on native species in the wild.

Lee emphasized that this does not mean it is acceptable to continue releasing Black Kingsnakes, stating, "Since the pet culture for amphibians and reptiles began in earnest in Korea after the 2000s, and cases of capturing such non-native species continue to emerge, government agencies should jointly create a standard response manual for the identification and handling of non-native species."

In response, a Fire Agency official stated, "We were told that the type of snake was not identified at the time of capture," adding, "Taking this incident as a lesson, we have decided to consult with local governments or animal protection groups to determine whether to release a snake when an unidentified one is discovered."

Previously, in June of last year, there was a controversy after a captured animal was released into the wild.

Following a resident report that a large turtle was roaming in Galsan-dong, Bupyeong-gu, Incheon, the district office deployed a specialized company to capture the turtle and release it into a nearby stream.

However, it was later revealed that the turtle was a common snapping turtle, a non-native species from North America.

It is reported that the capture company mistook the snapping turtle for a wild animal similar to a soft-shell turtle and released it.

The snapping turtle, a non-native species inhabiting North America, is highly predatory and aggressive, and concerns were raised about ecosystem disruption as it has no natural predators in Korea.

This led the local district office to conduct a follow-up capture operation.

(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.