Snake wrangler offers only accredited TAFE course in the Northern Territory

A new course offering at Charles Darwin University is looking to save lives, while capturing venomous and nonvenomous snakes.

For the first time CDU is offering a Snake ID, capture and relocate course, the short course will benefit people who regularly encounter snakes in their work or living spaces or for people who would like to enhance their knowledge of snakes and reptiles in Australia.

Katherine based CDU Agriculture and Rural Operations lecturer and snake wrangler Jonny McGannon said he hopes that this course will bring more snake awareness to the Northern Territory.

“I think often in Australia snakes get a bit of a bad rap, however they are incredibly important for biodiversity in the Northern Territory and across Australia,” Mr McGannon said.

“By providing accredited training to individuals and employers who operate in the NT will be advantageous to our wildlife ecosystem.”

The course covers how to work safely with venomous and non-venomous reptiles, methods of identification and snakebite first aid. Mr McGannon is hoping this knowledge will help save lives.

“Current legislation leads to many snakes in residential areas being killed as many people cannot identify the type of snake or have the capacity to relocate it safely,” Mr McGannon said.

“This course includes a practical experience with live snakes to learn how to safely, restrain, handle and relocate, and will be beneficial to the communities in which we live and work, as knowledge about snakes can save our lives and theirs.”

The two-day course covers three units of competency from the Animal Care and Management Training package, which is recognised nationwide, and is the only accredited snake training in the Northern Territory.