A Terrifying Trend, Shocking End for Aussie Wildlife
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Australia is a land renowned for its diverse and unique wildlife, but with this comes a responsibility to protect our native creatures from the unintended consequences of human activity. A recent incident in Western Australia's northern Pilbara region has highlighted a disturbing trend that poses a serious threat to our reptilian residents.
Startling photographs have surfaced showing a venomous mulga snake, also known as a King Brown, with its long brown body wedged inside a discarded drink can. This alarming image is a stark reminder of the dangers that littering poses to wildlife, particularly snakes that may seek shelter in small, confined spaces.
IMAGE: The snake was found trapped in the drink can. Source: Facebook/Adam Brice
Brandon Gifford from Sunshine Coast Snake Catchers 24/7 spoke to Yahoo News Australia about the frequency of such occurrences, noting that it's a common issue that most snake catchers will encounter. The grim reality is that many snakes are found dead in the bush, trapped in cans, leading to a tragic and preventable end.
Did the snake survive?
In the case of the mulga snake, a fortunate twist of fate meant that an experienced wildlife rescuer was available to intervene. Adam Brice, a local snake catcher and wildlife photographer, received a call about the trapped snake and immediately took action. Using small sharp scissors, Brice carefully cut the can open, following the contour of the snake's body to avoid injury. Miraculously, the snake was released in perfect health, with no scales out of place and no constriction injuries.
The question arises: why do snakes attempt to enter such small openings in the first place? Gifford believes that snakes are primarily seeking shelter when they encounter cans and other discarded containers. They may not be after food or water but are instead looking for a place to curl up. Unfortunately, their ability to squeeze into tight spaces can backfire when they become stuck and unable to escape. ‘Because their ribs aren’t attached and they haven’t got a sternum so they can squeeze really well, but then I think they panic, they tense their muscles up, and they can’t reverse out and they can’t move forward,” Gifford said.
The consequences of such entrapment can be severe. While some snakes may suffer scale damage, Gifford suggests that the more significant threat is heat stress. Trapped in a metal can under the blazing sun, a snake's chances of survival diminish rapidly.
The terrifying trend is impacting many reptilian species
This incident is not isolated to snakes alone. Research into monitor lizards, also known as goannas, found that discarded food and drink containers have led to numerous entrapments and fatalities, particularly in Australia. Drink cans were identified as the most common container in which trapped animals were observed.
Gifford's message is clear: littering must stop. Not only does it harm individual animals, but it also disrupts the delicate balance of our ecosystems. Every creature, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant, plays a vital role in maintaining the health of our environment.
As members of the Seniors Discount Club, we have a collective responsibility to safeguard the natural world for future generations. We can all take simple steps to reduce our impact, such as disposing of rubbish responsibly, recycling whenever possible, and picking up litter when we see it. If you encounter wildlife in distress, do not hesitate to report it to local authorities or wildlife rescue organizations. Your actions could save a life.
Australia's wild and wonderful environment is a treasure that we all cherish. Let's commit to keeping it safe for all its inhabitants. Share your thoughts and experiences with wildlife conservation in the comments below, and let's work together to protect our precious natural heritage
Startling photographs have surfaced showing a venomous mulga snake, also known as a King Brown, with its long brown body wedged inside a discarded drink can. This alarming image is a stark reminder of the dangers that littering poses to wildlife, particularly snakes that may seek shelter in small, confined spaces.
IMAGE: The snake was found trapped in the drink can. Source: Facebook/Adam Brice
Brandon Gifford from Sunshine Coast Snake Catchers 24/7 spoke to Yahoo News Australia about the frequency of such occurrences, noting that it's a common issue that most snake catchers will encounter. The grim reality is that many snakes are found dead in the bush, trapped in cans, leading to a tragic and preventable end.
Did the snake survive?
In the case of the mulga snake, a fortunate twist of fate meant that an experienced wildlife rescuer was available to intervene. Adam Brice, a local snake catcher and wildlife photographer, received a call about the trapped snake and immediately took action. Using small sharp scissors, Brice carefully cut the can open, following the contour of the snake's body to avoid injury. Miraculously, the snake was released in perfect health, with no scales out of place and no constriction injuries.
The Mulga snake, also known as a King Brown snake. Source: Google
The question arises: why do snakes attempt to enter such small openings in the first place? Gifford believes that snakes are primarily seeking shelter when they encounter cans and other discarded containers. They may not be after food or water but are instead looking for a place to curl up. Unfortunately, their ability to squeeze into tight spaces can backfire when they become stuck and unable to escape. ‘Because their ribs aren’t attached and they haven’t got a sternum so they can squeeze really well, but then I think they panic, they tense their muscles up, and they can’t reverse out and they can’t move forward,” Gifford said.
The consequences of such entrapment can be severe. While some snakes may suffer scale damage, Gifford suggests that the more significant threat is heat stress. Trapped in a metal can under the blazing sun, a snake's chances of survival diminish rapidly.
The terrifying trend is impacting many reptilian species
This incident is not isolated to snakes alone. Research into monitor lizards, also known as goannas, found that discarded food and drink containers have led to numerous entrapments and fatalities, particularly in Australia. Drink cans were identified as the most common container in which trapped animals were observed.
Gifford's message is clear: littering must stop. Not only does it harm individual animals, but it also disrupts the delicate balance of our ecosystems. Every creature, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant, plays a vital role in maintaining the health of our environment.
As members of the Seniors Discount Club, we have a collective responsibility to safeguard the natural world for future generations. We can all take simple steps to reduce our impact, such as disposing of rubbish responsibly, recycling whenever possible, and picking up litter when we see it. If you encounter wildlife in distress, do not hesitate to report it to local authorities or wildlife rescue organizations. Your actions could save a life.
Australia's wild and wonderful environment is a treasure that we all cherish. Let's commit to keeping it safe for all its inhabitants. Share your thoughts and experiences with wildlife conservation in the comments below, and let's work together to protect our precious natural heritage
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