Woman's deadly backyard mistake prompts important plea to Aussies: 'Dangerous'
The resident's wild encounter has prompted a warning as she remains in hospital.
People across the country are being warned of a potentially deadly backyard mistake which left one woman in hospital as hot weather continues to sweep across parts of Australia.
An abundance of snake sightings have been reported by locals, with many often concerned they might be dangerous – as was the case at a Queensland property this week.
Sunshine Coast Snake Catchers received a call from a worried woman claiming her sister had been bitten by a venomous and deadly eastern brown snake after attempting to remove it from her backyard in Upper Caboolture.
The 70-year-old thought it was a harmless brown tree snake, professional snake catcher Dan Rumsey revealed online this week. He was tasked with visiting the property to help relocate the reptile.
Dan only learned of the snake's true identity after receiving a photo from the Queensland woman whose sister was holding the deadly reptile while attempting to put it inside a container. He quickly advised them to administer first aid and call triple-0.
While the severity of the woman's bite was not immediately clear, the elderly woman was "showing some signs of envenomation", he said.
It's understood the 70-year-old is still recovering in hospital. She was reported to be in a stable condition, has been treated with anti-venom, and is now recovering, Courier Mail reported.
"It's a good reminder of the dangers of handling snakes and the misidentification of snakes. If you do see a snake, never pick them up or try to catch them. Keep as much distance as you can," Dan warned.
Eastern brown snakes 'responsible for most deaths in Australia'
Eastern brown snakes are the second most venomous land snakes in the world.
"It’s the species that's responsible for most deaths in Australia," professional snake handler and owner of Urban Reptile Removal Chris Williams previously told Yahoo News.
In November, a Queensland teen died after being bitten by one at his Gladstone home. The potency of brown snake venom is incredibly strong, containing severe neurotoxins that result in progressive paralysis and heart failure.
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Don't touch or move wild snakes in Australia, professionals warn
Professional snake catchers have long warned against attempting to move or touch a snake of any kind. In fact, the removal of a wild snake without a licence is unlawful, Stu from Sunshine Coast Snake Catchers previously told Yahoo.
Brown snakes are known to get "easily agitated and will readily defend themselves," Williams added.
Snake catcher Dan issued similar advice following the recent case in Queensland.
"We can’t stress how important it is to leave snake catching up to the professionals. The last thing we want is for one of you guys to get hurt, and unfortunately in this situation, someone did," he shared on Facebook this week.
"Even if you are 99 per cent positive you know what species of snake is on your property, remain a safe distance and feel free to send us a photo to appropriately identify it for you."
A Brisbane driver recently found an eastern brown "seeking refuge" in his car. While other recent sightings have been reported at beaches in New South Wales and Western Australia as snake are on the move.
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