TASMANIAN EXAMINER (Hobart, Australia) 21 January 07 Snake catcher crisis (Sophie Fowler)
Animal rangers are appealing to local councils for help after an unusually dry summer has left them stretched to their limits to keep up with call-outs to snake recoveries.
Reptile Rescue chief executive and publicity officer Ian Norton said officers fielded more than 20 calls in one day last week (two to three a day is average) and unless municipal councils lent a hand, the service would be overwhelmed.
"We are overstretched at this stage," he said.
"We just get calls one after the other and it's more than we can cope with.
"We need councils to come on board. It's a desperate call."
Mr Norton said the West Tamar and Launceston City Councils and a handful of others across the State supplied rangers qualified in snake handling but more were needed to take the pressure off the volunteer organisation of less than 20 handlers.
"The councils that are prepared to remove a snake, which is life threatening, are training their people to do it and they don't charge a fee and I think it's bloody noble," he said.
"Others are prepared to put money into Reptile Rescue to do it on their behalf or for us to bill them but we've still got to find someone in their area that can remove the snake."
Reptile Rescue workers ask for a donation of $30 to cover travel costs when removing a snake from a house or yard.
If the resident chooses not to donate, the officer does the job free of charge.
Home owners who have a snake removed by a handler from their local council have the cost absorbed in their rates.
Mr Norton said liability implications and a perception that snake handling was a job for Parks and Wildlife were some of the reasons councils chose not to provide the service.
"And of course there's the rangers themselves," he said.
"There's a few that can't come to terms with being able to handle a snake but they'll remove vicious dogs.
"Interestingly enough, most of the people who get on board and do it, love it.
"Getting a snake call-out is like catching a big fish. It's an adrenaline rush."
Mr Norton said the problems associated with increased snake sightings were unlikely to relent.
"It really would be good if (the councils) would embrace it a bit more enthusiastically and realise it's a problem that's growing in every municipality and it's not likely to go away," he said.
Mr Norton said that snakes were venturing into the suburbs right around the State to find water.
If you do find a snake the important thing is to not disturb it.
"If it's in the house make the room safe by closing the door on it," Mr Norton said.
Reptile Rescue can be contacted on 0407565181.
Snake catcher crisis