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“Dozens” of venomous snakes have been removed from Alice Springs Airport in recent weeks, including the Qantas lounge, according to reports.
A local snake catcher, Rex Neindorf, told NT News he has attended Alice Springs Airport several times in recent weeks to remove both “mildly” and “highly venomous” snakes from the check-in area, departure doors and Qantas lounge.
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“You name it – they pop up everywhere,” he said.
Neindorf, a director at the Alice Springs Reptile Centre, told the publication that he had recently removed two western brown snakes – the most common venomous snake in the area – from the airport terminal.
“One was in the main part of the building where all the passengers could go past, and the other was in an office where the workers were,” he said.
A spokesperson for Airport Development Group, which owns and operates the airport, told NT News that it is normal for snakes in the area to become “very active” during this time of year, as snakes seek out cooler climates. The airport continues to monitor areas of concern.
Severe flash flooding in Alice Springs appears to have exacerbated the problem, with rain commonly associated with increased snake sightings in the area.
The spokesperson added that the airport staff remain vigilant in monitoring the situation and keeping passengers informed via signage.
“We have an arrangement to call a snake catcher who assists with snake relocation,” they said.
Neindorf confirmed that he had personally delivered a snake safety information course to staff operating out of Alice Springs airport, and that he was not aware of any incidents resulting in injury or harm to passengers inside the airport.
“They’re very well versed in what they do out there,” he said.
Neindorf has worked as a local snake catcher in the region for over 26 years.
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