Firefighters wrangle injured snake in Sydney backyard - Engadine

Published: 30 Jan 2024 10:38am

A Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) crew has wrangled a venomous snake on the loose in a suburban Sydney backyard.

Firefighters at the Menai Fire Station received a distress call about a Red Bellied Black snake wandering in and out of a family home in Kanandah Road, Engadine, around six o’clock last night.

The team of trained FRNSW snake wranglers arrived at the address and set about tracking down the one-and-a-half metre snake at the rear of the property.

“It was a tricky job as it slithered in and out of foliage,” FRNSW captain, Brady Clarke, said.

“When we snared the slippery customer, we noticed it was in pain, thanks to a tick attached to its back, Captain Clarke, said.

“We were extra cautious as a venomous snake in a cranky mood can be especially dangerous,” Captain Clarke added.

“The snake had a lump on its back, so we contacted our friends at wildlife rescue organisation, WIRES, who took the reptile off our hands at the fire station for further medical treatment and x-rays today.

Selected FRNSW stations are trained in snake-wrangling across NSW.

Captain Clarke says it’s been a busy snake season in the Shire.

“We’ve done about five calls this week, so far…we’re mainly encountering Diamond Pythons, Common Tree Snakes and Red Bellied Black snakes.

FRNSW advises residents not to approach snakes if they pose a danger and to contact Triple-Zero (000) or WIRES instead.

Updated: 30 Jan 2024 10:43am

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Stations nearby

ENGADINE Fire Station

8 Preston Avenue, Engadine NSW 2233

MENAI Fire Station

297 Menai Road, Menai NSW 2234

SUTHERLAND Fire Station

2 Moore Street, Sutherland NSW 2232