THE ADVERTISER (Australia) 09 September 03 Snake bite sounds early warning bell (Matt Clemow)
A man was airlifted from Kangaroo Island to Flinders Medical Centre after being bitten by a snake yesterday.
As temperatures increase and winter winds start to ease, experts are anticipating an increase in snake sightings.
Ian Renton, of Snakes Away, said the reports had started in the past two weeks.
"We're starting to get into the season now," he said.
"The calls are coming through as the ground temperature starts to warm up."
Mr Renton said snake numbers would start to surge when winds eased and snakes were able to sense their prey.
In yesterday's incident, the 19-year-old was bitten while working in the Flinders Chase National Park at the west end of Kangaroo Island. It is thought he was working on the clearance of a walking path as part of a environmental program.
An ambulance spokesman said the victim was driven by staff at the park to an ambulance on the South Coast Rd.
He was transferred to the Kingscote Hospital before being airlifted and is in a stable condition awaiting confirmation of the type of snake.
The attack is the second in eight days after a seven-year-old boy was bitten near the Milang wetlands.
A friend said the youngster was taken to the Strathalbyn Hospital before being transferred to the Women's and Children's Hospital.
A spokesman said Adelaide's three major hospitals were well equipped to deal with snakebites and also stock relevant antivenoms which can be used in severe cases – rather than relying on smaller country hospitals.
Strathalbyn-based snake catcher Andrew Charlesworth said he expected a busy summer as more people come into contact with snakes.
He said the southern vineyard development and population sprawl was resulting in increased levels of human contact.
Snake bite sounds early warning bell