A large, pale yellow snake is reportedly on the loose near Linwood Avenue in Saanich, according to police. On March 19, 2019, Saanich police received a report from a resident in the 3200-block of Linwood Avenue, who said that a large, pale yellow snake has been in and around his property for several months. The man told police the snake was first seen around Christmas time and there have been a few more sightings since then. Each sighting has been either late at night or in the very early morning hours when it is still dark out. The man does not know the size of the snake but has described it as bigger than the species found around Vancouver Island.Police said based on the description of the snake, it is possibly an exotic species that was being kept as a pet. It may have been intentionally released by an owner who no longer wanted it or it could have escaped. However, Saanich police have received no other reports of a missing snake and have not been able to locate the animal. The BC Wildlife Act regulates what they classify as Controlled Alien Species , and requires anyone wanting to possess one of these species to get a permit first. Some species of snakes are on this list and BC Fish and Wildlife Branch are being contacted by the Saanich pound to inquire if anyone in that area holds such a permit. Saanich police are asking anyone who sees the snake to call them right away at 250-475-4321. They are said that if it is safe to do so, people who do see the snake should take a picture of it and keep it in their sight until police arrive.