‘Absolutely deadly’: This Aussie zoo needs your help now
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Australia is home to some of the most fascinating—and dangerous—creatures on the planet.
While most stay out of sight, certain conditions can bring them uncomfortably close to homes and gardens.
As experts anticipate an uptick in activity from one of the country’s most notorious arachnids, a major Australian zoo is calling on the public for help in a vital initiative.
As funnel-web spider numbers were expected to rise in the coming months, a major Australian zoo urged the public to help collect the world’s deadliest spiders for its antivenom program.
The Australian Reptile Park reported a ‘really slow’ start to funnel-web season but anticipated a surge as autumn brought high humidity and increased rainfall.
Spider keeper Emma Teni said the zoo needed more spiders to support its lifesaving initiative, adding: ‘We haven’t seen as many out and about, and we’ve had fewer handed in for our lifesaving antivenom program here at the Australian Reptile Park.’
Male Sydney funnel-web spiders were considered the most venomous in the world, capable of delivering a lethal bite that could cause death in as little as 15 minutes.
Despite this, no fatalities had been recorded since the Australian Reptile Park launched its funnel-web antivenom program in 1981.
The venom program housed over 2,000 spiders, though only male funnel-webs were milked for their venom.
‘They have this special toxin, which is absolutely deadly and vital for our life-saving program,’ Ms Teni said.
She explained that spider donations were essential for maintaining the antivenom supply, as mature funnel-webs had a lifespan of only about a year.
‘Plus, it takes about 50 to 200 milkings of funnel-web spiders to create one vial of anti venom,’ she added.
While the zoo encouraged the public to assist in collecting the spiders, Ms Teni reminded people to handle them with care.
She advised using a smooth jar and a long-handled spoon to gently guide the spider inside before sealing the container with a little moisture, such as soil or a wet cotton bud.
Captured spiders could be dropped off at the Australian Reptile Park or one of its designated locations listed on its website.
In addition to adult spiders, the zoo also accepted funnel-web egg sacs, which contained up to 150 baby spiders that could be raised for venom extraction.
For those wondering just how dangerous these spiders can be, this footage breaks it all down.
Watch the video below to see why experts take funnel-web bites so seriously.
With funnel-web numbers expected to rise, would you be brave enough to catch one for the antivenom program?
Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
While most stay out of sight, certain conditions can bring them uncomfortably close to homes and gardens.
As experts anticipate an uptick in activity from one of the country’s most notorious arachnids, a major Australian zoo is calling on the public for help in a vital initiative.
As funnel-web spider numbers were expected to rise in the coming months, a major Australian zoo urged the public to help collect the world’s deadliest spiders for its antivenom program.
The Australian Reptile Park reported a ‘really slow’ start to funnel-web season but anticipated a surge as autumn brought high humidity and increased rainfall.
Spider keeper Emma Teni said the zoo needed more spiders to support its lifesaving initiative, adding: ‘We haven’t seen as many out and about, and we’ve had fewer handed in for our lifesaving antivenom program here at the Australian Reptile Park.’
Male Sydney funnel-web spiders were considered the most venomous in the world, capable of delivering a lethal bite that could cause death in as little as 15 minutes.
Despite this, no fatalities had been recorded since the Australian Reptile Park launched its funnel-web antivenom program in 1981.
The venom program housed over 2,000 spiders, though only male funnel-webs were milked for their venom.
‘They have this special toxin, which is absolutely deadly and vital for our life-saving program,’ Ms Teni said.
She explained that spider donations were essential for maintaining the antivenom supply, as mature funnel-webs had a lifespan of only about a year.
‘Plus, it takes about 50 to 200 milkings of funnel-web spiders to create one vial of anti venom,’ she added.
While the zoo encouraged the public to assist in collecting the spiders, Ms Teni reminded people to handle them with care.
She advised using a smooth jar and a long-handled spoon to gently guide the spider inside before sealing the container with a little moisture, such as soil or a wet cotton bud.
Captured spiders could be dropped off at the Australian Reptile Park or one of its designated locations listed on its website.
In addition to adult spiders, the zoo also accepted funnel-web egg sacs, which contained up to 150 baby spiders that could be raised for venom extraction.
For those wondering just how dangerous these spiders can be, this footage breaks it all down.
Watch the video below to see why experts take funnel-web bites so seriously.
With funnel-web numbers expected to rise, would you be brave enough to catch one for the antivenom program?
Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
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