Snakes alive . . . Killian rescues yet another exotic creature
Killian McLaughlin with the three-foot American king snake found in a house in Convoy, Co Donegal
A 3FT-LONG American King Snake, found basking on the window sill of an unoccupied house, has become the latest exotic creature to crop up in an unlikely place.
The non-venomous snake was discovered by a surprised local man who was checking up on the house which is currently undergoing renovation in the east Donegal village of Convoy.
Yesterday, the snake was recovering from its ordeal and starting a new life in appropriate accommodation in a menagerie outside Buncrana, Co Donegal where the young founder, Killian McLaughlin (21) is kept busy working with zoos on educational and conservation programmes.
But he is also becoming increasingly occupied with rehousing lost or released exotic pets, ranging from reptiles to monkeys.
He travelled to Convoy on Tuesday night to identify the snake and take it back with him, saying he was happy to give it a new home if the owners didn't come forward.
"Obviously someone bought it as a pet and either got bored with it and released it into the wild or it escaped by accident.
"It is something that is happening more and more, often where people are acquiring these kinds of animals and they don't have the first notion how to look after them," he said, of his latest house guest.
Killian is currently keeping over 200 animals, many of which are exotic and endangered, on a half-acre site at his home outside Buncrana.
Among his collection are two monkeys, Arctic foxes, a tarantula, a European Eagle Owl, a chameleon, a raccoon, doves and a pair of emus.
A media student, he is currently carrying out an economic appraisal for the establishment of a wildlife education and conservation centre in the northwest.
He is already working closely with several large zoos and renowned zoologists.
"My main interest is in breeding endangered animals which can be released back to the wild.
ANITA GUIDERA
