Two Dead Brown Treesnakes Reported on Rota

On July 29th, 2026, the CNMI Division of Fish and Wildlife (DFW) Brown Treesnake (BTS) Program received a report of a dead brown treesnake inside personal cargo transported to Rota by a small vessel. The snake had concealed itself within a ladder and was found at a Songsong residence immediately after being unloaded. After responding to the report, DFW BTS Program staff collected and examined the specimen. Their assessment indicated that the snake arrived on Rota deceased as it was in a state of decay. A facebook post was made by a community member about this incident. 

On July 30th, 2026, the DFW BTS Program received a second report of a snake encounter that had occurred on July 28th, 2026 in Sinapalo. DFW BTS Program staff were able to locate the person who encountered the snake and conduct an interview. The snake was killed by the person that saw it, but the body was disposed of in the jungle and could not be recovered.

Following these two incidents, the Division of Fish and Wildlife (DFW) has initiated a rapid response and is preparing to immediately deploy additional staff, traps, and equipment to Rota to conduct visual searches and trapping operations. DFW personnel on Rota will continue to inspect incoming cargo to prevent further introductions. The DFW has also requested assistance from its federal partners, including the Office of Insular Affairs, the U.S. Geological Survey, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, to support the response efforts.

These incidents highlight the ongoing risk of BTS introduction into the CNMI and reinforce the critical importance of early reporting and cargo inspections. Reports of potential brown treesnake sightings are extremely important and are treated with the highest priority. A rapid and timely response to such reports combined with continued vigilance from the entire community including shippers, cargo handlers, vessel operators, residents, and visitors is critical to ensuring snakes do not establish in the CNMI. 

Report Any Snake Sightings

If you see any unusual snake-like animal in the CNMI, report the sighting immediately 24/7

CNMI BTS Hotline: 670-28-SNAKE (287-6253).

If possible, note the exact location and take a picture to assist responders. 

The CNMI currently relies on small vessel transportation of goods between islands more than ever due to typhoons and economic hardships. This pathway for snakes and other invasive species to move between islands will continue to increase through recovery. The CNMI Brown Treesnake Program is working hard to inspect incoming vessels and cargo, but snakes can be difficult to detect even with trained canine teams. Redundant inspections, one performed before departing Guam and one after arrival in the CNMI, remain the most effective way to prevent snakes from entering the CNMI.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Wildlife Services on Guam provides free 24-hour BTS inspections for departing cargo, equipment, vehicles, and vessels. The CNMI BTS Program conducts inspections upon arrival to the CNMI.

How Can You Help Keep Brown Treesnakes Out of the CNMI?

If you are shipping goods to the CNMI from Guam:

Ask your shipper to have USDA on Guam conduct a BTS inspection before departure.

If you are going to the CNMI from Guam by boat:

Schedule your free USDA inspection before you leave Guam

Schedule Your Departure BTS inspection (Guam):

USDA Wildlife Services (24/7)

(671) 685-8992 or (671) 685-2751

Schedule Your Arrival BTS Inspection (CNMI):

CNMI DFW BTS Program

(670) 285-7877 (Saipan and Tinian)

(670) 287-7683 (Rota)