TIMOTHY Adidi fears it’s just a matter of time before one of the many brown snakes along Rockhampton’s picturesque riverbank strikes someone.
On Friday, Timothy, who says he spends plenty of time with his mates along the riverbank, showed The Morning Bulletin the snake hotspots and tracks they followed.
He spoke up to warn the community about the potential problem at one of Rockhampton’s most popular locations.
The barbecue areas between the Fitzroy bridge and boardwalk were two places where Timothy said he had seen snakes.
“I’ve seen plenty of snakes in the past three to four weeks,” Timothy said.
“I’m always warning the guys not to lie about or anything like that.
“I’m worried about the kids playing in the bushes and people sitting on the side and putting their hands out.”
A Morning Bulletin staff member also saw a metre-long brown snake along the riverbank on Friday.
Timothy’s comments come after a woman, 61, died last week five days after being bitten multiple times by a brown snake at her property near Toowoomba.
The woman died on Tuesday night.
Timothy, who claims to have worked with crocodile hunter Steve Irwin at Pormpuraaw, said he was sure a nest of brown snakes was located along the riverbank, though he didn’t know exactly where.
He said the snakes were more active in the mornings and afternoons.
“They go through the bushes and are pretty much under the cover of the leaves,” Timothy said.
“I would say there’s quite a few snakes there and I’d see one or two a day.”
The problem isn’t just on the riverbank, with snakes becoming more active across the region.
With male snakes roaming to find a partner, sightings are becoming far more common.
Snake Safety
Ways to avoid snake bites include:
Leave snakes alone, particularly if they have been provoked or if they are injured
Know appropriate first aid
Wear appropriate clothing and boots in known snake areas
Do not put hands or feet in or under logs, rocks, tin, hollows or crevices and watch where you are walking.
Source: Queensland Government