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Posted by Brian Gough at 7/19/2014 9:09:34 PM

www.foxnews.com/US/2014/07/19/new-jersey-reptile-expert-told-to-keep-mouth-shut-about-anaconda-on-loose/

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George H. Wessel VII,	Posted At: 7/20/2014 6:20:57 PM
	A reptile expert said Friday that he wants to go "on the record" and confirm that New Jersey authorities are searching for an anaconda, not a boa constrictor, in the state's largest lake. "I was sworn to keep my mouth shut by local officials to avoid causing a panic," Gerald Andrejcak, the specialist, told NJ.com. "Now that there's a panic, I'm going on the record." He said when the snake was called a boa, it wasn't exactly a lie, because the snakes are technically in the same family. However, anacondas, made famous by the 1997 movie starring Jennifer Lopez, can send chills through a community because their diet consists of deer and other large mammals. They also have no natural predators. Andrejack, who works for Common Sense for Animals, was searching Lake Hopatcong in Jefferson Township, which is in the northern part of the state. He told the paper that he determined it was a green anaconda last week after hearing reports about the snake's behavior and where it was spotted. He said he told a member of the Hopatcong animal control about his suspicions and was told to keep quiet. On Tuesday, the official appeared to downplay reports on the snake, saying, "No officials have seen this snake, and you know how people exaggerate." The paper reached out to the official on Thursday and Friday, but he did not immediately respond. Andrejack told the paper he positively identified the snake on Thursday as a 16-foot-long green anaconda, when he saw it by the lake. When animal care workers responded, it was gone, he said. Anacondas can grow up to 29 feet in length, the report said. Their biggest threat is humans. "If someone can kill it and get out of here, that's fine," Tony Colantonio, who rents a property on the lake, told the paper. "I want proof that it's gone." Andrejack said he is frustrated by the lack of response from municipal officials, and says he hopes he finds the snake before someone kills it.

Niki ,	Posted At: 7/20/2014 8:14:02 PM
	SSooo... a snake "expert" sees a snake in this situation & doesn't try to catch it? Didn't call friends/family to come give a hand? Just calls animal control? -.-

Psycho Dragon,	Posted At: 7/20/2014 9:59:44 PM
	That "expert" sounds like a turd. I know if it was within half an hour of me, I'd call off work to catch this NJ anaconda. That'd be a find of a lifetime. Guy needs to reach down, find his balls, and go catch a freakin' snake.

Ed ,	Posted At: 7/21/2014 8:17:34 AM
	http://www.nj.com/morris/index.ssf/2014/07/officials_not_taking_giant_lake_hopatcong_snake_seriously_resident_says.html This is pretty entertaining, although in a sad way: "Green anacondas ... can grow to be more than 29 feet in length and weigh more than 550 pounds, according to an animal fact sheet on NationalGeographic.com." At best, that's like saying humans can grow to over 8 1/2' tall and weigh over 1000 lbs. Of course, if an anaconda could grow that large, it wouldn't happen in New Jersey given that the temperatures will not be conducive to life come September. And now it looks like our buddy Officer Sloat has changed his tune??? "'So far we have been told there were sightings, but no pictures. In the boat house the owners say they saw it the night before and called in the morning. The snake either was never there or it was gone before we got there,' he wrote. 'No officials have seen this snake, and you know how people exaggerate.'" And this is classic: "'(This information) needs to be out there," Colantonio said. "There's kids swimming in the lake, there's going to be people in the water this weekend, and my kids can't go in their backyard. It's a green anaconda, a predator, hunting all day every day. It's not a python that lives 80 percent of its life on land and only needs to eat once a month. It's one of the most aggressive snakes out there. It's been two weeks and (the township and state) have done nothing. Everybody I call just blows me off.'" Maybe I need to take a trip up to NJ (where I grew up) and get involved to set these imbeciles straight. :)

SapphireTigress,	Posted At: 7/23/2014 8:52:14 PM
	boy, that would be the most active connie ever if it hunted and ate all day every day. I'd just be...impressed.

Ed ,	Posted At: 7/23/2014 10:01:46 PM
	Well, how else would they get to be 30 feet long and 550 lbs?!?

Susan ,	Posted At: 7/24/2014 5:00:27 PM
	Oh good gravy. All I can do is shake my head.

Ed ,	Posted At: 7/24/2014 10:21:45 PM
	This is getting hilarious, and probably a good example why you should never talk to the press/media about reptiles. http://www.northjersey.com/community-news/hunt-for-anaconda-in-lake-hopatcong-continues-expert-says-snake-poses-no-human-threat-1.1054775

Ed ,	Posted At: 7/24/2014 10:25:36 PM
	Well, maybe not never. Just be careful regarding who you talk to.

Aimee ,	Posted At: 7/26/2014 2:11:32 AM
	Gerald's had people call him and threaten him. It got pretty crazy in a hurry. I think he's done some paranoia fanning, but is also getting skewered in the media. Speaking of paranoia...this goes public just as the Lacey Act comment session is closing. I've said it before and I'll say it again, I find the timing to be a little fishy. This is too much like that staged bs sometimes rigged by PETA or the HSUS...

Ed ,	Posted At: 7/26/2014 10:15:44 AM
	Aimee, totally agree. I've said over and over again that blaming "irresponsible pet owners" by default, and without a shred of evidence, is one of the most effective, albeit disgraceful, tools that PETA, HSUS and government controllers have to push legislation. The sad thing is that even many reptile owners repeat this as well. It gives groups like PETA and HSUS a free pass to plant animals.

Aimee ,	Posted At: 7/26/2014 12:18:38 PM
	And the "hide yo kids, hide your pets" is a bit alarming. Yeah, keep your eyes peeled...but c'mon. These guys are in parts of Florida and aren't just constantly plucking toddlers out of backyards. Keep an eye on your kids but don't spend the summer locked in your house.

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