A Mt Pleasant resident unpacking from a Bali holiday found a live snake wrapped around a jandal in their suitcase, triggering a biosecurity response that highlights gaps in border screening.
Biosecurity New Zealand dispatched trained handlers to the Christchurch property on August 29, 2025, after the traveller reported the discovery. The reptile had bypassed security checks at both Denpasar and Christchurch airports before being found at the home.
Table of Contents
Discovery Inside the Suitcase
The traveller spotted the small snake coiled around footwear while unpacking. Biosecurity surveillance and incursion manager Wendy McDonald confirmed handlers secured the reptile quickly.
“A very small live snake was found wrapped around the toe of a jandal in the suitcase,” McDonald said. “Preliminary identification by our specialist herpetologist suggests it is a wolf snake, a type of non-venomous boa.”
The reptile was humanely euthanized under New Zealand’s zero-tolerance policy for non-native species.
Wolf Snakes in Bali
The common wolf snake (Lycodon capucinus) ranks among Bali’s most frequently encountered reptiles. These nocturnal hunters grow to under one meter and feature black or reddish-brown bodies with white markings.
Despite being non-venomous, wolf snakes possess enlarged front teeth that create a canine-like appearance. They thrive in gardens, hotel grounds, and residential areas throughout Indonesia, feeding on small lizards and geckos.
Bali hosts at least 46 land snake species. The common wolf snake appears regularly near human settlements, attracted by pest populations and shelter opportunities in luggage, cargo, and shipping containers.
Trained Handler Response
Biosecurity New Zealand maintains specialized teams for reptile detections. Handlers receive intensive training in Australia, working with live snakes under expert supervision. This training refreshes every two years.
The quick response to the Mt Pleasant address prevented any environmental risk. McDonald noted that handlers undergo rigorous preparation specifically for these scenarios.
New Zealand’s snake-free status makes any live arrival a priority. The country’s native birds and lizards evolved without snake predators, making established populations potentially catastrophic for local ecosystems.
Security Bypass Details
The wolf snake likely entered the suitcase in Bali, where these reptiles commonly seek dark, warm spaces. Airport security screening focuses primarily on prohibited items and threats to aviation safety rather than small wildlife stowaways.
X-ray machines may miss small reptiles coiled inside shoes or clothing. The snake survived the flight in checked baggage, where temperatures and oxygen levels fluctuate during transit.
Christchurch Airport’s biosecurity screening did not detect the reptile either. Most live animal detections occur post-border when travelers discover unexpected passengers while unpacking.
Annual Detection Rates
McDonald said snake detections happen regularly but infrequently. “Each year, we detect one or two snakes at post-border locations, with more typically intercepted at the border. These are usually non-venomous and often arrive dead due to cargo treatment.”
Ministry for Primary Industries data shows reptile interceptions declining from 105 in 2020 to 27 in 2024. However, post-border discoveries remain steady.
Recent cases include:
- December 2024: Coastal carpet python found at Auckland factory
- August 2025: Wolf snake in Christchurch luggage
- Ongoing: Common house geckos regularly intercepted in cargo
The common house gecko (Hemidactylus frenatus) represents the most frequently intercepted reptile species, arriving via shipping containers and air cargo from tropical regions.
Import Rules and Enforcement
Snakes are illegal in New Zealand. No person, including zoos or research facilities, can legally keep them. The prohibition extends to all snake species regardless of size or venom status.
Biosecurity New Zealand employs a contracted herpetologist to identify intercepted reptiles and maintain detection databases. This specialist confirmed the wolf snake identification in the Christchurch case.
Past investigations revealed black market attempts to smuggle breeding pairs into New Zealand, with prices reaching $10,000 per pair. Enforcement actions continue targeting illegal reptile trade.
What Travelers Should Know
Authorities recommend checking luggage thoroughly before departure and after arrival. Reptiles can enter bags left open in hotel rooms or storage areas near gardens.
Inspection Points:
- Shoes and footwear compartments
- Folded clothing and towels
- Zippered pockets and side compartments
- Any items stored near outdoor areas
Anyone discovering unusual wildlife should contact Biosecurity New Zealand immediately rather than attempting removal. The organization maintains 24-hour response capability for biosecurity threats.
McDonald emphasized system effectiveness despite occasional breaches. “To date, our biosecurity system has proven highly effective in preventing a snake population from establishing in New Zealand.”
The Mt Pleasant discovery demonstrates that even small reptiles can slip through multiple security layers. For travelers returning from tropical destinations like Bali, Indonesia, Thailand, or Australia, luggage checks remain the final defense against unintentional wildlife imports that could threaten New Zealand’s unique ecology.
