Python snakes its way back to the wild
A SCRUB python more than 5m long was taken from a Kuranda home after the owners became concerned it had its eye on their ducks.
Australian Venom Zoo owner Stuart Douglas was contacted by the family and moved the snake yesterday.
It will be released into a national park.
The zoo collects and releases three to four pythons a week as a public service, although donations are accepted, to ensure the "majestic" creatures are not killed. "There is just no need to kill snakes," Mr Douglas said.
"We remove them and release them into national parks, where there will be safe and will not pose a threat to humans or domestic pets."
Mr Douglas said urban development meant a lot of the snakes’ natural habitat had been destroyed and it was time to set up a proper reserve to guarantee their survival. "There are just not many places where these snakes can go now," he said.
"Other countries have set up reserves for snakes and reptiles, so we should also.
"We need to start protecting these animals."
Mr Douglas also removed a 5m python from a Kuranda house in February after it stalked the owners’ pet dog before eating it.
See our python picture gallery at cairns.com.au
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What a handful: Allie Hellmuth, Blake Brown and Stuart Douglas with the 5m scrub python.
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