EDEN MAGNET (Australia) 16 February 06 Kids - don't try this at home
The 5ft Tiger Snake was first seen near the Lake Curalo boardwalk between the soccer fields and Eden Marine High School late last week, with concerned locals calling wildlife rescue service 'Wires.'
Because of its proximity to the school it was decided to get Mr Hassell, the only licensed snake rescuer in the Bega Valley Shire, to come and remove the stripey fella.
With a stealth and composure bordering on superhuman, Mr Hassell positioned himself behind the snake before grabbing its tail with one lightning action.
And as cool as he was about the whole exercise, when Mr Hassell saw the size of the Tiger Snake he now had in his hands he uttered a few choice words along the lines of "crikey", and "gee whiz, what a big snake this is." **
"That is the biggest Tiger I have ever seen," Mr Hassell said afterwards, the adrenalin rush starting to subside.
"He is very fat as well so there is obviously plenty of food around here.
"Next to the lake here, with plenty of cover, this is ideal territory for a Tiger Snake."
Mr Hassell said that while the reptile would be removed it had to remain within a 25km radius of where it was found.
"That is to avoid altering the DNA pool of the local Tiger Snake population," he said.
"I'll find a nice spot in one of the neighbouring national parks, somewhere with a bit of water."
Mr Hassell, who is a builder by trade, said that it was sometimes difficult to balance his full-time job with his work for Wires.
"But when the snake is nearby kids or elderly people, we have to get it moved," he said.
"I've been doing this now for 7 years, and, no, I haven't been bitten yet, touch wood."
And he did touch wood.
When it comes to snakes you don't mess around with lady luck.

** Wes Comment: 25 years in the Army and then ... this language ... tsk-tsk! Regardless of the provocation - I mean, there were children present! Cheers all, Wes

http://eden.yourguide.com.au/detail.asp?class=news&subclass=local&story_id=459294&category=general news&m=2&y=2006