Social media influencers are risking 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 the penalties for catching one can reach up to $464,400 and even jail.
FNQ Nature Tours owner and nature guide James Boettcher said he became aware of the deadly behaviour a decade ago.
He is critical of influencers trying to copy the wildlife warrior, who once picked up a taipan and allowed it to lick his face.
‘I’ve noticed a trend where people have gotten mixed up in the social media game, and I think they’ve lost sight of their educational responsibilities,’ Mr Boettcher told Yahoo News.
Mr Boettcher is critical of social media influencers trying to copy a famous Steve Irwin stunt
Mr Boettcher (pictured) admits he used to handle wildlife for his Instagram posts and saw a jump in his followers
‘They just pose with the snake and rip a sentence from Wikipedia to add onto their post for educational value, and boom, they’re a wildlife educator,’ he said.
Mr Boettcher said it was ok for someone like Steve Irwin to pose with snakes, as he held a permit.
He is concerned about the impact of the influencers’ behaviour on the snakes, that are in some cases being held for up to half an hour while photos are taken.
Queensland’s Department of Environment (DESI) states the act of catching a protected snake is an offence.
Offenders can face a fine up to $15,480 plus two years in prison.
The fine soars to $464,000 if the offence occurs in a national park or protected area.
Apart from a massive fine, an encounter with an inland taipan can result in headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, dizziness, collapse, kidney failure and, ultimately, death in just 45 minutes.
The Australian Museum states only a handful of people have ever been bitten by the inland taipan, and all have survived due to rapid first aid and prompt hospital treatment.
Mr Boettcher admits he used to handle wildlife for his Instagram posts and saw a jump in his followers.
‘Then I realised I was becoming my own worst enemy: I was doing exactly what I wouldn’t want anyone else to do,’ he said.
