Australian National Botanic Gardens
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Australian National Botanic Gardens
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1.0 POLICY STATEMENT
This policy sets out the principles for the management of venomous snakes at the Australian National Botanic Gardens (ANBG).
2.0 APPLICATION
2.1 This policy applies to the employees (including non-ongoing) and volunteers working at the ANBG.
2.2 Definitions:
For the purposes of this policy
‘snake’ means any venomous snake
‘Director’ means the Director of the Australian National Botanic Gardens
3.0 BACKGROUND
3.1 Snakes are a feature of both the urban and rural Australian landscape. Snake monitoring in 2007/08 indicated that a population of six to eight adult eastern brown snakes (Pseudonaja textilis) inhabit the 42 ha ANBG site. Snakes also migrate through the ANBG during the warmer months. In 2007/08 snake season three snakes per week, on average were sighted by ANBG staff or visitors during the warmer months with the most frequent sightings during the month of October.
3.2 There is a very unlikely risk that a snake bite incident will occur at the ANBG between every 10 and 100 years.
3.3 The snakes that inhabit the ANBG have the second most toxic venom of any terrestrial snake in the world and their bite may result in the death of the person bitten or the infliction of major injuries (such as irreversible kidney damage). Therefore every snake bite has a potentially major consequence.
3.4 In accordance with the ParkSafe (OH&S) Risk Assessment Matrix, the risk of envenomation by a venomous snake at the ANBG is assessed to be high (Very Unlikely + Major = High). As a result of this risk rating any actions taken to manage the risk must be reported to the Parks Australia Executive.
3.5 Snake management actions are generally described in the ANBG Management Plan (2002-2008) and current risk management measures are also included in the ANBG RiskWatch list.
3.6 This policy expands on the actions mentioned in the Plan of Management and the measures listed in the RiskWatch list by setting out the core set of principles underlying the management of the ANBG snake population.
4.0 POLICY PRINCIPLES
4.1 The preservation of human life and safety issues are of overriding importance.
4.2 The snakes inhabiting the ANBG are regarded as wild animals. As such they are protected under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, and should be interfered with as little as possible.
4.3 All snake management actions are to be undertaken with due regard to animal welfare and ethical considerations. The killing of snakes will not be permitted, unless required for euthanasia purposes.
4.4 The ANBG will seek to improve the information on which snake management actions can be developed.
5.0 POLICY PRESCRIPTIONS
5.1 ANBG management will develop and implement a Snake Management Strategy to reduce the risks associated with the venomous snakes inhabiting the ANBG site.
5.2 The ANBG Snake Management Strategy will be updated and reviewed every 12 months (on completion of each snake season).
5.3 In accordance with the Parks Australia Risk Management Policy the Director will quarterly report on the actions taken to mitigate the ANBG snake hazard.
6.0 IMPLEMENTATION, MONITORING AND REVIEW
6.1 The ANBG Director is responsible for the implementation and monitoring of this policy.
6.2 This policy will be reviewed every two years from the date of its endorsement, unless a review is required earlier by the Director.
7.0 RELEVANT LEGISLATION/LITERATURE
Policy endorsed by: Anne Duncan, Director, 14.01.2009