A 5-foot boa constrictor found in an Elgin forest preserve on Oct. 24 was safely captured and has been returned to some warm and friendly confines.

According to the monthly Public Safety Report of the November Forest Preserve District agenda packet, Department of Public Safety Director Michael J. Gilloffo reported that one of the operations staff responded to a citizen notification of a large snake at Tyler Creek Forest Preserve.

“On the upper drive, they found what was identified as a 5-foot boa,” the report said.

The snake was captured and turned over to Kane County Animal Control, and this particular animal story has a happy ending.

Kane County Animal Control Director Brett Youngsteadt said that, yes, the snake was confirmed to be a boa constrictor and was safely transferred to Chicago Herpetological Society.

According to National Geographic, boas are nonpoisonous constrictors found in tropical Central and South America. “Like their anaconda cousins, they are excellent swimmers, but prefer to stay on dry land, living primarily in hollow logs and abandoned mammal burrows,” the National Geographic website says.

Tyler Creek Forest Preserve is located at the intersection of Route 31 and Davis Road in Elgin. A creek runs through the preserve, which includes hiking trails, ball diamonds and a picnic area.

Illinois law is a little vague about whether it’s OK to own or sell a boa constrictor. According to the Illinois Dangerous Animals Act, no one can sell a dangerous animal to an individual. The list of dangerous animals includes “lion, tiger, leopard, ocelot, jaguar, cheetah, margay, mountain lion, lynx, bobcat, jaguarundi, civet, serval, hyena, bear, wolf or coyote, or any poisonous or life-threatening reptile.”

It adds that “a life-threatening reptile is any member of the crocodilian family or any constricting snake 6 feet or over in length, such as boa, python, and anaconda.”