Venomous snake relocation/mittigation courses.

[aiden.w]

I've noticed alot of courses popping up these days teaching people to handle Venomous snakes. There is one on here from ERD, a few pop up on the ahc site aswell as the regulars (HOSER and others). Id like to ask the organisers/owners of these courses/companies a few questions that alot of people are unsure of.

#1. At the completion of the course you receive 2 references and a certificate. What can these be used for?

#2. What methods are taught on these courses eg. tailing or just flicking the snake in a hoop bag? Is it hands on or is there no cotact between the coursee' if you will and the snake?

#3. Are the references and certificate given on completion of the course of any use in other states seeing as each states licencing laws are not governed by the same athorities?

#4. Are all of the snakes held original wild collected snakes or are some captive bred?

#5. If the references are of use in other states including NSW can they be used as references higher classed licences. Can they be used for Queenslanders to upgrade to a Restricted permit?

ERD are the only people that i know of that are currently licenced to hold such courses in Queensland. Someone told me that a course was held by another company also opperating in QLD. Does anyone know who held/ran it? If this course was held can the people who attended it tell me what the refferences given intilted them to in the way of licenceing? Mittigation licence, restricted licence etc.?

 

[snakehandler]

Snakehandler have been running such courses in QLD for 4 years now, we have been recognized by every state and territory in Australia. The certificate is transferable to each state!

The certificate and references are required to apply for a DMP, not necessary in most states.

Each course is different in teaching techniques, some will not teach certain techniques, and it is a very hot topic, if you wish to know more please email us as I do not want to start handing debates.

All animals used in our courses are captive bred, as it is ilegal to keep wild snakes in a collection.

We have trained people in every state, work in QLD and VIC, we have recently gained a permit in NSW.

As far as licensed to do courses in QLD, you should check with QPWS and Ecoaccess, we have been approved for four years.

If you want more information about our courses please dont hesitate to contact us www.snakehandler.com.au

I hope this helps.

 

[Jonno from ERD]

G'day Aiden,

The two references that we supply are used to assist in the acquisition of your Damage Mitigation Permit. Make sure that you receive TWO references upon the completion of whichever course you do, as you will need two to receive your DMP.

For our relocation course, we teach our students to confidently use a hook and hoop bag. We do not believe it is possible to teach someone the intricacies of tailing a venomous snake in two days. We also do not believe it is necessary for the safe relocation of venomous snakes - what we teach is safe, quick and effective. We have had several people who have participated in our courses as a "refresher" who insist that the methods we teach are superior to anything they have been taught before.

The references (statuatory declarations) we supply are transferable to other states.

We use a mix of captive bred and legally wild caught snakes from all over Australia. One of the final snakes participants get to handle is an incredibly flighty wild caught Eastern Brown who has earned the nickname "Princess". Other wild caught snakes used include Western Brown Snakes, Death Adders, Mulga Snakes, Yellow Faced Whip Snakes and Curl Snakes.

The course that we offer for people to upgrade to their Specialist permit is restricted to those who have previous experience with venomous snakes. We do not believe that it is possible to safely teach someone all aspects of venomous snake husbandry in a weekend if they have no prior experience. There are a few people offering these styles of courses, but our ability to sleep at night far outweighs our need to increase our bank balance.

Hope this helps,

Jonno

 

[aiden.w]

So do the two references GUARANTEE the approval of a DMP or are there further requirments? I assume that there are due to the statement of the references 'assisting' in the approval of a DMP. Maybe an application is filled out and sent to EPA along with the Stat. Dec's given?

 

[aiden.w]

Is there a limit to how many people can hold a Damage mitigation permit per suburb/town?

 

[croc_hunter_penny]

aiden the two references do not guarantee a DMP or restricted licence, as they are approved at the discretion of the EPA. Generally speaking, if you have no reason why you shouldn't get it (eg broken law besides speeding tickets, gone to prison, been caught/fined for illegal/wild animal possession, etc) then they usually approve licence upgrades with the letters of recommendation.

as far as DMP limit per suburb, i doubt it.

 

[moosenoose]

Can I ask (out of curiosity) what one of these Damage Mitigation Permit's would cost someone annually? (I presume they are annually dated). Thanks

 

[elapid@]

Applications are for free and there is no other fees, just have to update application evey year. Thats for QLD, not sure about other states.
cheers steve

 

[moosenoose]

Thanks Steve.

 

[voodoo]

In Qld, a company called cool companions do venomous courses as well. www.coolcompanions.com.au

 

[aiden.w]

Thankyou Penny.
Voodoo, I completely forgot about Tanya's business.

I'm interested to know, as stated earlier, if there is a limit to how many people can hold such permits per suburb/town? With all of these courses around and the amount of people gaining references through them in Brisbane will the EPA crack down on the number allocated? It will be good for the public having so many people "qualified" to remove "problem" snakes, BAD for the people that do, and have for many years, made their living removing such snakes.

 

[eipper]

Hi,

We will also run Venomous snake handling, basic and advanced husbandry as well as herp photography courses.

We are also in the processes of running a field techs course (capture methods, survey techs, animal ethics etc)(designed for tafe/uni students, rangers etc), however there is alot more legal paperwork to sort out for this one. ( I ran a few in Victoria and they worked really well)...I must admit I found it amusing watching a member from this site pulling many a thorn out of his hand on one of these courses.

Cheers,
Scott Eipper

 

[Jonno from ERD]

And I didn't even catch the little bugger, either!

 

[Gecko_ProCs]

is there any run in NSW?
i'd like to give it a go

cheers
Camo...

 

[ozianimals]

is there any run in NSW?
i'd like to give it a go

cheers
Camo...

That would make two in NSW.....

 

[m.punja]

I think it's close to $100 a year.

 

[Den from Den Pythons]

Hey guys, Ive worked with Jonno and Sharna many a time in the pit during snake shows and their knowledge and handling abillites are by far the best i've seen. Even though i've kept Venomous snakes for 8 or so years, since i've addapted their techniques to my handling my confidence and abilities have more than doubled! I also know Scott and he seems to have a bit of a knack for getting up close and personal with elapids. I would recomend both of their courses to anybody interested in gaining a Damage Mitigation permit.

Thanks
Den