Tiger snake gatecrashes children’s birthday party
It’s not the kind of guest you’d want at your child’s birthday party. But this tiger snake caused mayhem at a Heidelberg park after slithering in while about 20 kids were playing at the playground.
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A children’s birthday party turned into disaster when a snake gatecrashed the celebrations at a Banyule playground.
The tiger snake was spotted slithering through the grass at Possum Hollow playground in Heidelberg on Saturday, scaring parents and children.
Mother Chris Gross told the Leader she fled the playground with her five year-old daughter Olivia, after coming face-to-face with the dangerous creature.
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“I was petrified, I couldn’t get out of there quick enough,” she said.
“It was hissing, with its neck up and poking its tongue out.
“My daughter was actually running in front of me.”
Ms Gross said there were about 20 young children at the birthday party running around at the time.
“I said to the other parents watch your children … there’s a snake over there.”
Victorian snake season is generally between September and April.
The most common snakes in Melbourne are tiger snakes and lowland copperheads.
Two tiger snakes were also found at Heidelberg Park on Saturday.
Ms Gross said she would not be returning to the playground until the end of the season.
“There’s no way I’m going to go back there, I’m not going to risk my life or my daughter’s life,” she said.
“I’m not going back to the park again until it's the end of snake season.
“It was scary.”
Her partner Julian McRae, posted the photos on a Viewbank community page on Facebook, warning others to be mindful when strolling through parks.
“Just seen at Possum Hollow playground in Heidelberg,” he wrote.
“Please be careful.”
It is believed several people have reported snake sightings at the Heidelberg playground.
Mr McRae said he rang Banyule Council’s emergency line, but they wiped their hands of the issue.
“They said they can’t do anything about it,” he said.
“Their policy is not to deal with snakes.
“I was told to call a snake catcher.”
Several residents slammed Banyule Council on the Facebook page, saying the council did “nothing” when it came to snake sightings.
“The fact it’s a children’s playground and a child could have been bitten by an aggressive snake and the council did nothing, is disgusting,” Mr McRae said.
Snakes remain protected under the Wildlife Act 1975 and it is illegal to capture, kill or harm them.
Snake catcher Heath Morehu from Heaths Snake Control said he had received over 90 call-outs for snakes this season.
“This is the busiest I’ve ever been,” he said.
“It has been good weather for the last two years which means there’s more breeding.
“The past month we have been getting so many snakes inside the house.”
Snake hotspots included suburbs along the Plenty River, such as Greensborough.
“They are looking for water to cool down, that’s why when it gets too hot they tend to go into houses.”
Mr Morehu said Wyndham and Brimbank were the only councils in Melbourne to pay for snake catchers to come out following reports.
Banyule Council Mayor Wayne Phillips said council will take steps to remove snakes from public areas and urges people to be vigilant around long grass and near waterways especially during summer.
To report a snake sighting, phone Heaths Snake Control: 0432 064 027.
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