Venomous snakes with the potential to inflict serious pain are still common around the Sydney CBD according to wildlife rescue group WIRES.
Barry Alexander, a rescue-van driver for WIRES, said that the organisation receives about three to four calls to rescue snakes in the CBD each year, but that actual populations are probably much higher because WIRES only gets called when there is a problem.
“A lot of people wouldn’t be aware of it, but there are a lot of snakes living in the basements of the buildings in the city … chasing mice and rats,” he said
A red bellied black snake was recently discovered trapped in a drain in Sussex Street. By the time rescue officers arrived to remove the animal, it had freed itself. It appeared again the next day, but escaped under the roller door of a locked building. The snake is still at large.
In another incident, a large diamond python was discovered in the bumper of a car by a mechanic in Randwick. The bumper was removed to free the snake, but it then crawled up into the engine bay. The snake was rescued by WIRES and then released in an appropriate area.
Dr John Broadbent, an environmental consultant who recently completed an ecological survey of Pyrmont, has received reports of a population of red bellied black snakes living in Jones St pocket park in Pyrmont. He said that it is likely there are also snakes and other reptiles living on the 1 Distillery Drive site in Pyrmont.
Jilea Carney, media spokesperson for WIRES, said that the red bellied black snake and the brown snake were probably the most prevalent species, but that pythons were also encountered.
“They are still surprisingly common,” she said. “They’re in urban remnant habitat in parks and little scrubby places … and you’d probably find snakes in the Botanic Gardens.
Ms Carney also said that snakes were even more common in the suburbs.
“You’d be surprised how many pythons end up in someone’s drawer in Bondi,” she said.
According to the Australian Museum website:
“The Red Bellied Black Snake is widespread around the coast and ranges of eastern Australia. It possibly still occurs in remnant bushland and the larger reserves on the northern foreshores of Sydney Harbour.”
The website site also describes the snake as “venomous and potentially dangerous”.
Ms Carney said that members of the public who encounter snakes in need of rescue should call WIRES on 1300 094 737 and be aware that some snakes are could be dangerous.
by Aaron Cook
