Terrifying encounter in Sydney—could a venomous snake be lurking near you?
- Replies 2
Many of us who have visited Sydney’s Central Business District (CBD) love watching the hustle and bustle of its busy streets.
However, over the weekend, a group of party-goers stumbled upon something far more unexpected than a late-night snack or street entertainment: a venomous snake.
A red-bellied black snake was the last thing party-goers expected to encounter this past weekend in Sydney’s CBD.
While such a sight might be more common in the bush, its presence in the city was startling.
This lethal visitor caused quite the alarm, leading to calls to the police around 2 a.m. on Sunday.
Due to its proximity to city bars and potentially intoxicated patrons, the police promptly enlisted the help of expert snake handlers.
‘A red-bellied black snake was sighted making its way down George Street and sliding into the driveway of an underground carpark,’ Cory Kerewaro of Reptile Relocation Sydney shared an update on social media.
‘(We went) into the city to go and remove the snake to ensure the safety of both the animal and the intoxicated public.’
However, Dylan, a colleague of Kerewaro, shared that their rescue attempt faced a literal obstacle when the snake disappeared into a crevice in an underground carpark.
Dylan explained that he had to chip away at the wall to locate and secure the ‘adventurous’ viper.
‘Dylan was talking to me, saying “We have to get this snake, it’s right across the road from a live music venue,”’ Kerewaro said to 7NEWS.com.au.
‘I could hear the music in the background.
‘His priority was keeping them safe, but also keeping the snake safe.’
Kerewaro mentioned that although it’s ‘unusual’ to discover a red-bellied black snake in the CBD, it's not unprecedented, as seen in the city before.
‘You’re more likely to find them on the outskirts of the city, but they are there,’ he added.
Fortunately, neither the snake nor the rescuers sustained injuries during the capture.
It’s anticipated that the snake will be moved to a safer location, away from the urban environment and its lively crowd.
Red-bellied Black Snakes are commonly encountered on Australia’s east coast and account for several bites annually.
Although shy, they may react defensively when threatened, sometimes resulting in bites.
Their venom primarily causes anticoagulant and muscle-damaging effects. Symptoms can range from bleeding and nausea to muscle pain and dark urine.
While they’re considered one of the least dangerous elapid snakes in Australia for their size, their bites can still be harmful, especially to children and pets.
Despite many bites, few have resulted in human deaths. Nevertheless, all suspected bites should receive immediate medical attention.
Members, how would you handle a situation like this? Let us know your actions in the comments below!
However, over the weekend, a group of party-goers stumbled upon something far more unexpected than a late-night snack or street entertainment: a venomous snake.
A red-bellied black snake was the last thing party-goers expected to encounter this past weekend in Sydney’s CBD.
While such a sight might be more common in the bush, its presence in the city was startling.
This lethal visitor caused quite the alarm, leading to calls to the police around 2 a.m. on Sunday.
Due to its proximity to city bars and potentially intoxicated patrons, the police promptly enlisted the help of expert snake handlers.
The appearance of a red-bellied black snake took aback weekend party-goers in Sydney's bustling CBD. Image source: Reptile Relocation Sydney
‘A red-bellied black snake was sighted making its way down George Street and sliding into the driveway of an underground carpark,’ Cory Kerewaro of Reptile Relocation Sydney shared an update on social media.
‘(We went) into the city to go and remove the snake to ensure the safety of both the animal and the intoxicated public.’
However, Dylan, a colleague of Kerewaro, shared that their rescue attempt faced a literal obstacle when the snake disappeared into a crevice in an underground carpark.
Dylan explained that he had to chip away at the wall to locate and secure the ‘adventurous’ viper.
‘Dylan was talking to me, saying “We have to get this snake, it’s right across the road from a live music venue,”’ Kerewaro said to 7NEWS.com.au.
‘I could hear the music in the background.
‘His priority was keeping them safe, but also keeping the snake safe.’
The snake handlers chiselled into a brick wall to retrieve the snake.
Image source: Reptile Relocation Sydney
Image source: Reptile Relocation Sydney
‘You’re more likely to find them on the outskirts of the city, but they are there,’ he added.
Fortunately, neither the snake nor the rescuers sustained injuries during the capture.
It’s anticipated that the snake will be moved to a safer location, away from the urban environment and its lively crowd.
Red-bellied Black Snakes are commonly encountered on Australia’s east coast and account for several bites annually.
Although shy, they may react defensively when threatened, sometimes resulting in bites.
Their venom primarily causes anticoagulant and muscle-damaging effects. Symptoms can range from bleeding and nausea to muscle pain and dark urine.
While they’re considered one of the least dangerous elapid snakes in Australia for their size, their bites can still be harmful, especially to children and pets.
Despite many bites, few have resulted in human deaths. Nevertheless, all suspected bites should receive immediate medical attention.
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