Influencer Khory Hancock facing govt investigation over handling of python in outback

A Gold Coast influencer is facing a government investigation and online backlash after his “reckless” handling of a large python while shirtless and barefoot in the bush. SEE THE VIDEO

A Gold Coast influencer formerly known as the “Environmental Cowboy” is under fire after grabbing a huge carpet python by the tail and waving it around while shirtless and barefoot in the bush for an Instagram video.

Khory Hancock, who has fashioned himself as a hunky ecowarrior and has almost 20,000 Instagram followers, is facing a government investigation, as well as a backlash from followers and licensed snake handlers, after uploading the video last week.

A woman can be heard in the video saying ‘stop Khory, stop it’ as he grabs the writhing and thrashing snake which lunges at him several times.

Experts said the python was clearly distressed during the 80-second video in which Mr Hancock throws the animal at one point to avoid being bitten.

Khory Hancock is facing an investigation over his handling of this python.

“I just don’t want him to strike me … I’ll leave him alone in a minute, I just want to get a good feel for how big he is,” he says on the footage.

“I’ll just bring him up close to the camera here. Look at him, he’s beautiful.”

The Department of Environment, Science and Innovation is investigating the incident which it slammed as “reckless”.

“It’s disappointing to see people use their “influence” to role model dangerous – and quite frankly, reckless – behaviour that puts themselves and our protected native wildlife at risk,” a spokeswoman said.

“Unless you’re a qualified snake handler, our advice is simple: leave any snakes you spot in the wild alone.

“Picking them up or touching them cannot only result in injury to yourself, but it can also seriously harm or even kill the snake.

“In this case, the person in the video clearly isn’t in control of the situation and appears to recklessly throw the animal when frightened.

“Snakes have incredibly fragile bones and throwing or dropping them – even from a small height – or handling them too roughly, can result in serious or fatal injuries.

“If that’s not enough of a deterrent, you can also be hit with a hefty fine, so ask yourself – is it really worth the 200 likes?”

Khory Hancock is facing a government investigation, as well as a backlash from followers and licensed snake handlers, after uploading the video last week.

Mr Hancock declined to comment when contacted by The Courier-Mail, but deleted the video.

In a post accompanying the video, he said: “I’ve been picking up these ones most of my life from a kid … I think it’s important to show the world how beautiful these animals are so we can be more appreciative of the carbon regeneration work I do that helps protect them.”

Licensed Sunshine Coast snake catcher Richie Gilbert said the video was “not a great look” and both Mr Hancock and the snake could have been injured.

“People who don’t have the experience or proper permits should not be handling snakes,” he said.

“Either you’ll get hurt or the snake will get hurt. Pythons might be non-venomous but I’ve 100 per cent seen some horrible bites. One colleague was bitten on the wrist by one and needed extensive surgery.”

Mr Gilbert said the fact Mr Hancock was wearing shorts and no shoes or shirt made it even worse.

“It’s not a great look, that’s for sure – you certainly wouldn’t call it an educational video,” he said.

“There needs to be a crackdown on this sort of behaviour.”

Before removing the video, Mr Hancock had deleted comments critical of his antics from his Instagram post.

“Not sure what you’re trying to prove!!” one commenter wrote.

“Leave it alone!” another posted.

A screenshot of the post.

Some followers were concerned for the snake.

Other negative comments included “clearly wasn’t impressed being handled”, “love the PPE (personal protection equipment) and “why though? Just let it move on”.

It’s the second time Hancock has faced controversy, after he was branded a serial creep in 2021 for bombarding dozens of women with inappropriate or pushy messages.

He later deleted his social media accounts and apologised after the Sunday Mail broke the story.

“Anyone in my past that I have unintentionally made uncomfortable, I am sorry for and am now taking time to reflect, heal and grow,” he said.

Mr Hancock, the son of former Queenslander of the Year Lloyd Hancock, has featured on prime-time TV and radio programs and been booked regular speaking engagements.

He has claimed to have been offered roles on reality shows, including The Bachelor, Married At First Sight and Love Island, but turned them all down because “it’s not the right way to go for me”.

Khory Hancock was branded a serial creep in 2021 for bombarding dozens of women with inappropriate or pushy messages.

He describes himself on his khoryhancock.com website as “a leading environmental scientist, entrepreneur and thought leader … known for making impactful documentaries and keynote presentations that focus on making the regeneration of nature profitable”.

All native snakes are protected under the Nature Conservation Act 1992 throughout Queensland and it is an offence to unlawfully take one, which includes the act of catching.

The maximum penalty for the unlawful take of a protected snake anywhere in Queensland outside of a national park or other protected area ranges from 100 penalty units (currently $16,130) or up to two years’ jail.

However, if the snake was caught in a national park or other protected area, the maximum penalty is 3000 penalty units (currently $483,900), or up to two years’ jail.

It’s also an offence under the Nature Conservation (Animals) Regulation 2020 to unlawfully disturb a native animal in the wild that is a dangerous or venomous animal, or which is capable of injuring a person. The maximum penalty for such an offence is 40 penalty units (currently $6,452).