SNAKE catchers say their livelihoods are being stung by rookie removalists who are offering cut-price rates to remove giant serpents without legal permits.
The Department of Environment and Resource Management is investigating three people for allegedly moving snakes illegally.
Handlers who remove snakes without a Damage Mitigation Permit can be fined up to $10,000 under the Nature Conservation Act 1992.
Cairns Snake Removals founder David Walton said big jobs were being given to unregistered business holders without permits.
See video of David catching a monster python
He also said workers were implying they were volunteers but still charging residents and businesses for removals.
"It's not following the rules. These guys are advertising publicly without the legal paperwork to back them up," Mr Walton said.
A sole operator, he charges $60 to $120 for removals.
Anyone who knows of dodgy catching can report it to DERM on 1300 130 372.
Cairns snake tales:
- Pythons evicted from boathouse
- Killer rabbits attack snakes
- Man wrestles 5m python in chook pen
- Sexy snakes slip into suburbs
- Snake bites man's penis
- Tourists keep snake in tent
- Monster python eats pet
