Snake nearby? Stay calm and follow these steps
Calm supervision is the first control measure
A school or childcare sighting requires clear communication and controlled movement. Take students indoors or to another supervised zone, prevent access to the location and advise relevant staff without creating a crowd.
Do not ask a teacher, groundskeeper or parent to chase, trap or closely identify the snake. One adult may observe from a safe distance if that does not interfere with supervision or increase risk.
Locations that may need to be isolated
Sightings may involve playgrounds, gardens, sports ovals, storage sheds, car parks, retaining walls, drainage areas, outdoor learning spaces or the ground beneath demountable buildings.
For early-learning centres, keep children away from outdoor equipment and do not conduct a close search underneath structures before professional advice is received.
Playgrounds
Equipment, sand areas, garden borders and spaces used by children throughout the day.
Sports grounds
Ovals, boundary vegetation, storage areas and paths between buildings.
Buildings and sheds
Classrooms, storerooms, demountables, maintenance areas and covered walkways.
Arrival areas
Car parks, gates, footpaths and locations where families or contractors may enter.
First response for staff
Use the site’s incident procedure while keeping children and visitors well away from the animal.
- Move students to another supervised area.
- Stop access to the sighting location and nearby routes.
- Do not ask staff to catch or move the snake.
- Keep one safe visual reference only when staffing allows.
- Call Snakes in the City with the site contact, access point and last position.
Information for the site contact
Nominate one adult to speak with Harley and meet him at a safe entrance. Explain student movement, locked gates, contractor access and whether the snake has moved beneath a structure or into vegetation.
After the incident, record the location and review vegetation, stored materials, rodent controls and staff procedures. Maintenance supports risk management but cannot eliminate wildlife movement.
Professional reptile capture and relocation
NSW catch-and-release work requires the appropriate wildlife licence. Harley operates under NSW General Licence MWL000102655, uses specialist handling equipment and focuses on safe, lawful and humane relocation.
A call-out cannot guarantee capture if the animal has already left or cannot be located. The attending catcher will give straightforward advice based on the site and last known position.
Professional, licensed and realistic
Harley operates under NSW General Licence MWL000102655 and uses appropriate equipment for safe capture, containment and humane relocation. If a snake has already left or cannot be located, capture cannot be guaranteed; The attending catcher will provide practical advice based on the site and last known position.
