- If deceased wildlife is found on Council roads/land, Council will organise collection/disposable. Please contact Council on 03 54711 700. Note: Council does not collect deceased animals on weekends.
Wildlife Victoria has trained volunteer disaster response teams you can call at any time. They can assist in wildlife rescue emergencies such as bushfires and oil spills.
There are several species of snakes(PDF, 893KB) in Mount Alexander Shire. Eastern brown, tiger, and red-bellied black snakes are all native here. Please treat them with respect.
Most cases of snake bites occur when people try to kill snakes. Snakes are protected under the Wildlife Act 1975. It is illegal to capture, kill or harm them.
It is a good idea to undertake first aid training so you are prepared in the event of a snake bite. Also make sure your first aid kit contains several compression bandages.
If someone is bitten by a snake call 000 immediately.
Warm spring and summer weather means that snakes and other reptiles often come out to bask in the sun. Wildlife Victoria cannot relocate healthy animals. Consider calling a licensed snake handler if you see one. (See key contacts below).
- Keep calm and try to move yourself, anyone with you and your pets away from the snake.
- Watch where the snake goes. Never touch or attempt to capture, hurt or kill the snake.
- Call a snake catcher - (See below).
Who to call – key contacts
- Gianni Hodgson - Hodgson's Snakes - Rescue and Removal - Snake Catcher on 0490 415 734 (fees apply).
- Greater Bendigo Snake Control - 0481 587 637 (fees apply).
If you see a snake in a public area (such as a park) do not approach the snake or try to kill it. Call a wildlife controller to catch and remove the snake.
Ideas to avoid snakes when walking in reserves or parks include:
- Keep to paths
- Avoid areas of long grass
- Keep your dog on a leash
- Don’t try to walk around a snake. Turn back and find an alternate route.
If you would like a snake removed from your property, call a local licensed wildlife controller (see contact details above).
There are things you can do to reduce the likelihood of snakes at your property. These include:
- Make your property less attractive to mice and frogs as snakes prey on these animals. If you want to create a habitat for frogs make sure it is away from buildings.
- Keep grass very short and remove rubbish, piles of wood and other cover, such as sheets of iron from your property.
Possums are protected under the Wildlife Act 1975. Although relocation of problem possums is prohibited, other control options are available.
For information on how to best address a possum problem see DEECA.