Snake hunt at DFA

The chief caretaker of the Quezon City Parks and Wildlife confirmed yesterday that the molted skin discovered at the Records Division of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) was that of a snake.

Dr. Steven Toledo said the molted skin was found by the employees at the basement of the DFA building in Pasay City and brought to the Parks and Wildlife for analysis.

However, Toledo said they could not determine the kind of snake based on the sample brought to them for study.

"We can’t say if it’s a python or a rattle snake based on the molted skin. Kapag nagbalat kasi ang ahas hindi naman kasama ang kulay. Confirmed na ang molted skin ay galing sa ahas, but we can’t say what specie," Toledo said.

He and some of his staff went to the DFA Records Division last Wednesday in an attempt to catch the snake, which they believe has chosen the basement office as its habitat.

"We went there to catch the snake, but the area was wide and there were a lot of files so we were not able to see the snake," he said.

Toledo added that a snake could easily survive in the area possibly because of the rats there. The office contains files and documents, mostly passport applications.

Toledo advised employees to be cautious and immediately call the Parks and Wildlife if they see the snake.

"Kapag naistorbo na ang ahas kusa nang umaalis iyan," he said.