Parents outraged at local council after snakes invade children's playground
A popular Sydney children’s playground has become ground zero for a deadly snake infestation, and it’s ruining many parents’ school holiday plans for their little ones.
According to the Manly Daily, parents are avoiding Warriewood Valley Rocket Park out of fear their kids will be bitten by the snakes that have recently taken over the area, including diamond pythons, eastern browns and red-bellied black snakes.
“You don’t mind seeing one in their natural habitat but when you start seeing more and more ... you start to get worried,” local mum Stacey Mitchell told the paper, revealing she’s been made aware of up to 20 snakes slithering around the popular spot, and that several sightings have been shared to Facebook.
Now, she’s calling on the Northern Beaches Council to take action. “What will it take? A young child to be hospitalised before the council says, ‘We’d better do something’?”
Another local mother said her dog was killed by a snake lurking in the overgrown grass surrounding the park, urging the council to put up more signage and clear the grass.
The Council’s general manager of environment and infrastructure, Ben Taylor, said his staff had visited the park and are currently reviewing maintenance practices and researching new ways to discourage snakes in the area.
“While snakes are a natural part of our environment, we urge residents to exercise caution and stay safe outdoors this summer," he said.
According to Taronga Zoo reptile expert Josh Hatton, however, there’s not much that can be done. He says the park’s location next to wetlands, the hot weather and the recent snake breeding season was responsible for the influx.
Have you ever spotted a snake or other dangerous animal in a children's playground? Tell us in the comments below.
Image credit: Manly Daily.