Social media influencers risk massive fines and even death by recreating a Steve Irwin stunt with a killer snake.
Instagram influencers are attempting their own ‘crikey’ moment by picking up and posing with the inland taipan, the world’s most venomous snake.
All native snakes are protected in Australia and penalties for catching one can reach up to $464,400 and even jail time.
FNQ Nature Tours owner and nature guide James Boettcher said he became aware of the deadly behavior a decade ago.
He criticizes influencers who try to copy the wildlife warrior, who once took a taipan and allowed it to lick his face.
“I’ve noticed a trend where people are getting into the social media game and I think they’ve lost sight of their educational responsibilities,” Mr. Boettcher said. yahoo news.
Boettcher criticizes social media influencers who try to copy a famous Steve Irwin trick
Boettcher (pictured) admits he used to handle wildlife on his Instagram posts and saw an increase in his followers.
“They just pose with the snake and rip a sentence from Wikipedia to add to their post with educational value, and boom, they’re wildlife educators,” he said.
Boettcher said it was okay for someone like Steve Irwin to pose with snakes since he had a permit.
He is concerned about the impact that the influencers’ behavior will have on the snakes, who hold them for up to half an hour while their photo is taken.
The Queensland Department of Environment (DESI) declares the act of trapping a protected snake an offence.
Violators can face a fine of up to $15,480 plus two years in prison.
The fine rises to $464,000 if the violation occurs in a national park or protected area.
In addition to a huge fine, an encounter with an inland taipan can cause headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, collapse, kidney failure and ultimately death.
The Australian Museum says only a handful of people have been bitten by the inland taipan and that all have survived thanks to prompt first aid and prompt hospital treatment.
Boettcher admits that he used to address wildlife in his Instagram posts and saw an increase in his followers.
“Then I realized that I was becoming my own worst enemy: I was doing exactly what I wouldn’t want anyone else to do,” he said.
