A snake sighting at a children’s playground in North Warrnambool on Tuesday has prompted renewed safety concerns from a local expert.
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Following an apparent sighting on Boston Street, snake catcher Nev Suter has reminded residents to “Leave them alone”.
The suggestion comes after a resident in the area warned others in a group forum on social media.
“Community Notice – snake alert. Parents, kids and dog owners. Please beware of a large tiger snake that has been seen on and around the bridge near the children's playground on Boston Drive.”
Author of the post Michelle Row said her advice came after a father and son passed them on a walking track in the area and warned them of the creature’s presence.
“We were warned by a father who just spotted it before we got there. It's the second time he's seen it in two days,” she said.
“I thought it important to let the locals know.”
Ms Row said the snake was seen in a water catchment that attracted numbers of wildlife.
“It was near the bridge which is probably ten-foot long and made of slats,” she said. “There’s a good food source there I’d say because we often hear frogs at night and we’ve seen ducks and ducklings recently.
“It’s probably like a takeaway kitchen for him.”
The length of the grass surrounding the parklands was a concern for residents as well.
“The grass is about a foot long now, it’s probably time for the Council to come and cut it again,” Ms Row said.
“I guess we all just need to stay vigilant,” she said. “If there’s one there’s bound to be more.”
Mother-of-two Michelle Newton who lives near the playground said this week’s sightings were a timely reminder to teach her children to be aware of snakes.
“I’ve tried not to scare the kids too much, it is nature,” she said.
“I've just told them they have to be extremely careful when they are out playing in the area.”