Vile snake skipping act condemned by Queensland environment department

A group of young boys filmed by an adult has caught the eye of Queensland’s Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation.

A video posted to social media on Wednesday night at Woorabinda, about 170km from Rockhampton, shows half a dozen youths using a python as a skipping rope.

The youths were filmed laughing and jumping over the snake, which looks to be well over a metre long, and then identifying the snake as a black-headed python.

It’s unclear if the snake was already dead, but the black-headed pythons are a protected species according to the Nature Conservation Act 1992.

All snakes in Queensland are protected under this act, making it illegal to kill, injure, or take snakes from the wild in Queensland.

In a statement to 7NEWS, a Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation spokesperson said they will investigate the footage.

“We condemn this inappropriate behaviour and will investigate the incident,” they said.

“We ask all Queenslanders to treat animals with respect, whether they are alive or dead. The maximum fine for a person found guilty of killing or injuring a black-headed python is $12,615.”

The spokesperson also told 7NEWS that the killing or injuring of native animals should be reported to the Department of the Environment, Science, Tourism and Innovation or the RSPCA.

Each report is investigated.

Snakes like the black-headed python usually prefer to retreat when disturbed, but if they feel threatened, they can become defensive. Most snake bites occur when people try to catch or kill the animals.

People are advised to leave snakes alone and call a snake catcher to remove them from homes and properties.

For more information about living with snakes, please visit: Living with snakes.

RSPCA QLD have been approached for further comment.