Congratulations Chantelle!

We are so proud and excited that Chantelle Derez has submitted her PhD thesis! Chantelle’s research has focused on reptile relocation. The “snake-catching” industry is huge in Australia, and animals are frequently removed if they have come into close proximity to people. Even non-venomous snakes that really pose no danger to people are removed, often because the householder is frightened, which is understandable.

The animals are usually released into bushland some distance away. While this all sounds innocuous, there are concerns that this practice harms the snakes that have been moved as they have to suddenly work out how to find food and shelter in an unfamiliar place as well as compete with the snakes that already live there. In fact, one of Chantelle’s PhD chapters has already been published, and it shows that snake-catchers themselves are concerned about the impacts of relocation on snakes, and somewhat alarmed at what they see as insufficient training and lack of professionalism among some operators.

Chantelle radio-tracked a number of Carpet Pythons that had been relocated in this way, and found that they moved around much more than resident pythons, seemingly looking for familiar ground or opportunities for feeding and resting. Several of the relocated snakes died, for example by being run over as they attempted to cross unfamiliar roads. Chantelle’s work is shining a powerful light on what actually happens to these animals that are released. Often, we assume that because the snake was successfully released, that all is well. But this research shows that is not the case.

One solution is for us all to get know our scaly neighbours a bit better. To understand their lives, to assess risk properly, and to seek relocation only when there is significant danger to people (remember, never try to catch or kill a snake yourself). Chantelle argues that “snake catchers” need to be reinvented as “snake consultants”, to minimise harm for people and wildlife.

Chantelle’s work was supported by Logan City Council through three EnviroGrants, Pat Lazzaro (formally A1 Snake Relocations) and the Central Coast Herpetological Society.

Learn more about Chantelle’s work at https://www.facebook.com/BrisbanePythonProject/ and check out the Reptile Awareness Displays of Australia, a wonderful Brisbane-based travelling show that you can book to help raise awareness of snakes and other reptiles.

Well done Chantelle, and we hope you enjoy some well-earned rest!