Man drives over python in Gatineau Park

A man driving through Gatineau Park got a bit of a shock earlier this month when he ran over a python. But python sightings in the park are more common than one might think.

The skin of a metre-long ball python, native to Africa, is housed at a visitor's centre in the park. It was run over in early June while apparently trying to cross Meech Lake Road.

And another python has apparently been spotted near Lac Phillippe.

But they're not the first pythons to visit the park. About a year ago a Burmese python was captured alive.

Park officials blame exotic pet owners.

People dispose of unwanted pets outdoors

Catherine Verreault, manager of Gatineau Park's land and natural resources, told CBC News some people dispose of their unwanted pets in the park.

"Probably somebody didn't want it anymore in her house and they just decided to release it in the park," Verreault said.

Domesticated pets such as dogs, cats and hamsters are also released into the park, and naturalists said they often starve to death or are eaten by predators.

They're worried that some, however, can adapt, survive and change habitats.

Red-eared slider turtles from the southern U.S. have been found in the park's lakes.

"So if there's many released they can reproduce and take over the pond habitat very fast," Verreault said.

Officials said the best thing to do with unwanted pets is to take them to the Humane Society if they're mammals, or to Little Ray's Reptile Zoo on Bank Street if they're reptiles.

The Burmese python found in the park last year was handed over to Little Ray's. Owner Paul Goulet told CBC News he'll always take in an unwanted snake or turtle.