A truck driver named Elijah Bowles declared himself the victim of an “attempted murder” after live rattlesnakes were mailed to him through the U.S. Postal Service in two different states. Bowles picked up a package containing a venomous snake from his local post office in Twentynine Palms, California, alongside cotton balls used to muffle the sound of the snake’s rattle. The rattlesnake was discovered by a friend who opened the package marked as “fragile” while they were driving away from the post office, leading Bowles to call local emergency and animal control services. The snake was later identified as a Western rattlesnake, a common species in Northern California but rare in Southern California.
Another package containing a live rattlesnake was mailed to Bowles’ home in Florida shortly after the California incident, raising concerns about who might be targeting him. Bowles considered whether he had any enemies and instructed his family to head to the police station instead of opening the package, reflecting on his identity as a truck driver rather than a gangster. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is conducting an ongoing investigation into the California incident, although it is unclear whether the Florida incident is also under investigation. While it is legal for some living animals to be sent through the mail in the U.S., snakes are specifically forbidden due to being deemed “nonmailable.”
Snake wrangler Danielle Wall explained that snakes can survive in the mail for extended periods without food or water, as long as they do not overheat or freeze. Surprising instances of smugglers attempting to send venomous snakes through the mail have occurred in the past, such as the discovery of three king cobra snakes inside potato chip cans en route to California from Hong Kong in 2017. The smuggler responsible for these shipments was convicted of smuggling wildlife and sentenced to federal prison after admitting to mailing approximately 23 potentially deadly snakes in multiple shipments. These incidents highlight the dangers associated with attempting to transport live reptiles through the mail, as well as the potential for harm to both the intended recipient and postal workers involved in handling such packages.
The discovery of live rattlesnakes being sent through the mail to Elijah Bowles has raised concerns about potential threats and attempted harm towards him. Bowles, who works as a truck driver, expressed shock and distress at the incident, labeling it as “attempted murder.” The presence of venomous snakes in packages sent through the U.S. Postal Service poses risks not only to the intended recipients but also to postal workers and anyone else who may come in contact with the packages. The ongoing investigation by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service into the California incident underscores the seriousness of such actions and the need to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
The illegal transportation of live animals, particularly venomous snakes, through the mail highlights the potential dangers and risks associated with such practices. The use of deceptive packaging and false labeling to conceal the presence of dangerous reptiles poses threats to individuals who come into contact with these packages, as well as the broader implications for wildlife conservation and public safety. The involvement of law enforcement agencies in addressing these incidents, such as the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s investigation into the rattlesnake mailings, reflects the importance of upholding regulations and regulations regarding the shipment of live animals to prevent harm and ensure compliance with postal guidelines.
Elijah Bowles’ experience of receiving live rattlesnakes through the mail serves as a cautionary tale about the potential dangers of illegal wildlife trafficking and the risks associated with transporting venomous reptiles through postal services. The incident raises questions about the motives behind such actions and the need for greater vigilance in preventing similar occurrences in the future. By shedding light on the consequences of attempting to mail live snakes and the legal ramifications involved, Bowles’ story underscores the importance of upholding regulations, promoting wildlife conservation, and ensuring the safety of both individuals and animals involved in such incidents.
