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Thursday, February 21, 2013

QVMAG Science Discovery Team



Hi All!
Above is the exciting new program for budding young scientists and their families presented by the Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery.
For all of you that were involved in the Launceston Reptile Club, the QVMAG will now be taking on the job to provide you all with new meetings and dates and a variety of activities instead of the bi-monthly meetings we used to hold.
At most events there will be a representative from the Reptile Club (either Ian, Jane or myself - Sally) to help out with any reptile related questions.
On the 23d of March from 10am till 12pm there will be a session on Reptiles and Amphibians. We will be there with the snakes, aswell as an Amphibians specialist and many activities for all the family to get involved with. Please come along! Have a read of the above brochure for booking information!
For all the kids with Bluetongue Lizards, feel free to bring them along to be weighed and measured.
  We look forward to seeing you on March the 23rd!
Regards,
   Sally Wilson
   President, Tasmanian Herpetological Society.

Sunday, November 18, 2012

Wildlife Rescue Magazine


Wildlife Rescue Magazine - Offering free Magazines, husbandry manuals, articles and success stories.
Go to: www.wildliferescuemagazine.com  - Subscribe Today!!

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Snake in Car Bites Ocean Grove Driver

From the Geelong Advertiser
www.geelongadvertisor.com.au
http://www.news.com.au/national/snakes-on-a-car-yes-thats-right-victorian-woman-jan-smith-bitten-in-car/story-e6frfkvr-1226322678560

Snake in car bites Ocean Grove driver

AN Ocean Grove mum has told of her frightening ordeal after a snake bit her on the leg while she was driving.
Jan Smith, a lab technician at Bellarine Secondary College, was travelling along busy Barwon Heads Rd last Saturday when she felt a sharp pain below her right knee.
She reached down to discover a snake had somehow made it's way into her Toyota Corolla and was coiled on the floor mat at her feet.
"I saw it and grabbed it and threw it out. There was no time to panic, it was so quick," Ms Smith said.
"It was skinny and dark and sitting on the floor mat. I don't know if it was a black or brown snake, I just know that I was very lucky."
Within minutes Ms Smith was suffering severe headaches and pains in her leg and, using her son's football jumper, tied a makeshift tourniquet around the wound a move she later conceded was the wrong way to treat a snake bite.
Unsure what to do, Ms Smith then drove home, where paramedics met her and rushed her to Geelong Hospital.
She was back at home after a night in hospital but still bears fang marks below her knee.
Geelong snake catcher Jay Barnes said it was highly unusual for a snake to be inside a vehicle.
"It's bizarre circumstances ... it's very difficult for them to get inside a car. Really the only way for them to get in a car is if the door was left open or there was a hole in the firewall that separates the engine from the electrics," Mr Barnes said.
But snakes could be found in unusual places, especially during recent unseasonably warm weather.
"The first reaction that people have is to panic. But people should be aware not to do this because any sudden movement will catch the attention of the snake,"
"The snake is not going to strike unless they feel cornered, provoked or threatened."
Ms Smith said she wanted to warn others to be aware of snakes and to brush up on their first-aid skills.
"Living in a residential area with a lot of bush around me it's important for people to be cautious, especially people with young kids," she said.

Saturday, February 11, 2012

Hi All!
  Please find below a link to a great website and magazine Tas Wildlife Rescue. Reptile Rescue is proud to be affiliated with Tas Wildlife Rescue. We shall be dedicating a blog page to their cause shortly. Stay posted!
 
http://www.taswildliferescue.com.au/

Sally Wilson
Editor

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

ABC News Snake Bite Story

Check out the below link to an ABC news story from October 2011 on the withdrawal of snake venom from regional hospitals.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-10-12/20111012-snake-bite-remedy-withdrawn/3549848

Check out the below link for an article and video on snake bite awareness on the ABC. Features Reptile Rescue volunteer Danny Goodwin talking about his recent bite and Ian Norton, CEO of Reptile Rescue.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-01-23/snake-danger-warning/3787740

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Qld mother tells of son's python ordeal

Sunday, January 01, 2012 » 12:49pm

A mother tried in vain to prise a four-metre python from her toddler's body in a terrifying
Boxing Day attack in far north Queensland.
Port Douglas mother Rachael Sullivan was playing with two-year-old Kye Dalton
and his three-year-old brother in the family's garage on the evening of December 26
when the snake struck, The Sunday Mail reported.
The python latched onto Kye's foot when he went to retrieve a ball from behind a chair.
'He then let out that horrible scream where you know something is very, very wrong,'
Ms Sullivan said. 'By the time I got to him, and we are talking a second or two,
the snake had latched on to his foot and coiled all up Kye. 'He just screamed only once
and I just grabbed him and tried pulling the snake off but I couldn't budge it.'
Panicked, Ms Sullivan carried Kye into the street with the snake still attached and
screamed for help. Neighbour Scott Tunnie and his fiancee, Xena Reeves, rushed to her aid.
Mr Tunnie grabbed the snake's head and squeezed as hard as he could before he
began unwinding the python from Kye's body. The snake then turned on Mr Tunnie
and wrapped around his arm, cutting off circulation. Ms Reeves tried to pull the python
from her fiance's arm even as she spoke to paramedics on the phone.
It wasn't until two more neighbours rushed to help that the snake was brought under control.
Kye had to be revived twice after he passed out en route to Mossman Hospital,
and later stopped breathing while being transferred to Cairns Base Hospital.
A test for venom came back negative and X-rays revealed the snake had not crushed Kye's ribs.
He was released from hospital the following day with four bite marks and bruising to his lower leg.
The family spent the night at Ms Sullivan's mother's house because Kye and his brother
were too afraid to return home. However, two days later the toddler was waving goodby
e to his deadly attacker as he watched a snake-catcher release the python into rainforest.
'Bye bye, Bitey,' the toddler called as the snake wound itself up a tree.

http://wap.news.bigpond.com/articles/TopStories/2012/01/01/Qld_mother_tells_of_sons_python_ordeal_702561.html?mob=bom_home_
pod_news_Qld_mother_tells_of_sons_python_ordeal_1100#

Thursday, July 21, 2011

Media Releases......... Brickbats & Bouquets!

Animal Welfare Outrage.

How can it be that Tasmanian legislation demands wildlife, protected in mainland states, be mandatorily destroyed if found in Tasmania. The question is who signed off on legislation so severe that it fails to consider discretion where warranted?
Animal welfare agencies Australia wide should be outraged. Several months ago it was perfectly acceptable to repatriate surrendered turtles back to the mainland after DPIPWE Wildlife Management implemented a poorly advertised amnesty. Reptile Rescue brokered repatriation of a large number of turtles on behalf of that agency during the amnesty.

It must be remembered that those turtles are legally sold in mainland pet shops. If it was good enough to repatriate during the amnesty why can’t it continue? A vast number of these animals have been children’s pets for many years. How would society feel if people were ordered to surrender their family pets to be put down?
Reptile Rescue once again stands ready to facilitate and meet repatriation costs if the authority will implement appropriate discretionary permits.

Click onto this site for more information...Murray River turtles threatened by drought.

Ian Norton
CEO Reptile Rescue Inc.


If you are a supporter of animal rights, please read on...

A recent newspaper article highlighted the perils if turtles were to establish in Tasmania. Like all introduced wildlife there are risks when they establish outside of their quarantined existence.
Habitat and temperature requirement will impose nature’s own restrictions, and we must never forget the threat that turtles may have on another introduced species, trout. A recent amnesty allowed such reptilian interlopers the opportunity of relocation back to the mainland where they are afforded sanctuary as a protected species. Reptile Rescue in particular Darron Cameron coordinated the repatriation funded by Government. So what’s changed now the amnesty is over and turtles turn up? Why is there a need to euthanase them?
Given that turtles are protected wildlife in their state of origin, and society's abhorrence to cruelty and the edict of welfare for all creatures great and small advertised by the RSPCA, why is it that those entrusted with care for wildlife can kill with impunity? It’s an unnecessary evil, when only months ago similar reptiles were given a chance. I’ve heard the arguments stating that disease implications warrant destruction. Again why the inconsistency in policy application?
Our wildlife authority has an obligation to care for all wildlife regardless of state boundaries. These hapless reptiles don’t get here by their own means, they are introduced by well meaning people who purchase them from mainland pet shops believing that they are entitled to bring them into the state. If turtles were cuddly furry, cute little creatures, animal welfare agencies and animal lovers alike, would beat the doors down of DPIPWE in order to save them.
If our wildlife agency can’t find the means to repatriate turtles, Reptile Rescue stands ready send them home and cover the costs given the opportunity. We encourage your support, please help us save turtles! Express your outrage where ever and whenever you can. 
The Kill policy and a heavy fine is meant to send a strong message to anyone thinking of importing a turtle as a pet. Turtles now have the same status as foxes in Tasmania while afforded protection in other states and territories in Australia. Why is the person who made this 'final solution' directive still in a job? This is an extreme and draconian method to dissuade turtle imports.  Turtles are the real victims.