Airport sign sparks fear among tourists
- Replies 7
Anyone visiting Australia from overseas is usually warned before they set foot on our shores to be wary of the wildlife—snakes, spiders, and all other nasties.
Still, being told about something is one thing, but receiving an actual warning is another.
Take, for example, this sign at Brisbane International Airport, leaving international travellers feeling rather terrified.
The bright red sign reads, 'Caution: snakes sighted in this area'.
This warning certainly set off some alarm bells for a group of British tourists who happened to be passing through.
'Saw this outside Brisbane International,' a user said on social media.
'Gave some British tourists a fright and my mum and [me] a massive laugh,' they joked.
People from abroad weren’t convinced that Australia’s wildlife wasn’t ‘trying to kill you everywhere all the time’.
One person said, ‘[Australia] spends so much time reassuring international visitors that it's fine, Australia's not actually overrun with things trying to kill you everywhere all the time, you probably won't even see a single snake while you're here.’
‘And then they arrive to this. I would have cackled.’
And as it turns out, the sign certainly isn't just for show. According to those who have worked at the airport, there are indeed many slithery residents lurking around.
'Can confirm. I worked at the airport for years, and we were constantly getting snakes removed,' one person wrote in response.
'Yup, first-day onsite building the air traffic control. Saw a baby brown just chilling at the front door,' added a second.
A third said that the area around the airport is ‘absolutely crawling’ with venomous snakes.
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the airport said that travellers have nothing to worry about.
‘We have just upgraded our signage so they are more noticeable, and they’re obviously working—but the only thing that has changed is the new more visible signage,’ they said.
In March, Brisbane Airport posted about an Eastern Brown Snake that apparently was 'transiting Taxiway Sierra'.
‘Did you know snake sightings on taxiways are monitored by Brisbane Airport's Airside Safety Officers,’ it wrote at the time.
‘Brisbane Airport is home to a 285-hectare Biodiversity Zone for the exclusive use of wildlife, so a variety of snakes are often spotted slithering back to the wetlands.’
These signs are not only common in airports but on beaches as well.
Mindarie Beach, situated in the northern reaches of Perth, boasts seven cautionary signs for those looking to take a refreshing plunge in the sea. The warnings cover from hidden rocks to lurking sharks to slithering snakes.
One person summarised the sign by saying, ‘Warning: This beach will kill you. Have fun.’
Members, have you seen animals or other creatures in the airport? Share them in the comments below!
Still, being told about something is one thing, but receiving an actual warning is another.
Take, for example, this sign at Brisbane International Airport, leaving international travellers feeling rather terrified.
The bright red sign reads, 'Caution: snakes sighted in this area'.
This warning certainly set off some alarm bells for a group of British tourists who happened to be passing through.
A sign at Brisbane Airport raised awareness among travellers. Credit: Reddit
'Saw this outside Brisbane International,' a user said on social media.
'Gave some British tourists a fright and my mum and [me] a massive laugh,' they joked.
People from abroad weren’t convinced that Australia’s wildlife wasn’t ‘trying to kill you everywhere all the time’.
One person said, ‘[Australia] spends so much time reassuring international visitors that it's fine, Australia's not actually overrun with things trying to kill you everywhere all the time, you probably won't even see a single snake while you're here.’
‘And then they arrive to this. I would have cackled.’
And as it turns out, the sign certainly isn't just for show. According to those who have worked at the airport, there are indeed many slithery residents lurking around.
'Can confirm. I worked at the airport for years, and we were constantly getting snakes removed,' one person wrote in response.
'Yup, first-day onsite building the air traffic control. Saw a baby brown just chilling at the front door,' added a second.
A third said that the area around the airport is ‘absolutely crawling’ with venomous snakes.
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the airport said that travellers have nothing to worry about.
‘We have just upgraded our signage so they are more noticeable, and they’re obviously working—but the only thing that has changed is the new more visible signage,’ they said.
In March, Brisbane Airport posted about an Eastern Brown Snake that apparently was 'transiting Taxiway Sierra'.
‘Did you know snake sightings on taxiways are monitored by Brisbane Airport's Airside Safety Officers,’ it wrote at the time.
‘Brisbane Airport is home to a 285-hectare Biodiversity Zone for the exclusive use of wildlife, so a variety of snakes are often spotted slithering back to the wetlands.’
These signs are not only common in airports but on beaches as well.
Mindarie Beach, situated in the northern reaches of Perth, boasts seven cautionary signs for those looking to take a refreshing plunge in the sea. The warnings cover from hidden rocks to lurking sharks to slithering snakes.
One person summarised the sign by saying, ‘Warning: This beach will kill you. Have fun.’
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