Snake Catcher Sutherland

Sutherland combines busy public areas with nearby bushland. If a snake is beside a path, school or station approach, keep others back and contact the site manager where relevant.

When calling from Sutherland, explain whether the animal is indoors or outside, whether it remains visible, and whether children, pets, customers, livestock or workers are nearby. Harley can then assess the immediate risk and the safest access.

Around Sutherland, Royal National Park access, bushland reserves, the rail corridor, suburban gardens, schools and garages can create several possible routes and shelter points. Leave those places undisturbed after the snake moves out of sight.

Bushland corridors and sloping gardens make distance especially important; never follow a snake through a rear boundary or reserve.

• Royal National Park access: Do not place hands, tools or cameras into gaps around Royal National Park access; report only what you can see safely.
• bushland reserves: If the snake travels toward bushland reserves, note which side it entered and leave the area undisturbed.
• the rail corridor: Use the rail corridor as a landmark when explaining the last known position; do not move closer to inspect it.
• suburban gardens: Tell Harley whether suburban gardens is open, enclosed, elevated or difficult to access from the street.
• schools: Keep people and pets away from schools until the sighting has been assessed.
• garages: Identify the safest gate, path or building entrance leading toward garages without approaching the animal.

A sighting does not establish that there is a nest or more than one snake. Avoid assumptions about species, numbers or where the animal has gone; preserve the last reliable observation instead.

• Avoid approaching from either side, particularly around Royal National Park access.
• Move bystanders away from the Sutherland sighting without creating a crowd.
• Watch from a safe position and remember the last feature or boundary where it was visible.
• Do not use garden tools, brooms or containers in an attempted capture.
• If someone may have been bitten, call Triple Zero (000) immediately and follow the operator’s instructions.

A professional Sutherland response requires calm scene control, appropriate equipment and lawful handling; Harley operates under NSW General Licence MWL000102655.

Appropriate containment and a controlled route through the Sutherland property help protect residents, workers and the reptile.

If the snake has left Royal National Park access or cannot be located, capture cannot be guaranteed. Harley will explain what was checked and what should happen next. Read about Harley’s training and experience or review the Greater Sydney snake-removal process.