An Australian man who made waves on social media with a clip of his surfing buddy, a carpet python, has been fined $1,500 after the viral video reached wildlife officials.
Higor Fiuza, a Rainbow Bay surfer, raised eyebrows earlier this month when he filmed himself surfing with his 3-year-old python, Shiva, who was enjoying the activity wrapped around him.
“He went for a little swim and then got back on the board – just surfing waiting for the wave, for the perfect wave,” he told local 9News.
While the surfers and snakes were busy getting away, Fiuza’s instant fame on Instagram and the news caught the attention of Australian authorities, who handed him a $1,500 fine on Thursday.
Jonathan McDonald, senior wildlife officer at the Department of Environment and Science, said although Fiuza had the proper permit to care for the python, he did not have a special license to roam freely with the snake.
Higor Fiuza, a Rainbow Bay surfer, was fined $1,500 for taking his pet python, Shiva, into the ocean with him. @skymonkey5 / Instagram
The couple went viral in a now-deleted Instagram video of their trip.@skymonkey5 / Instagram
“We do not want permit holders to display their native animals in public unless it is done for a specific approved purpose and in the best way to safeguard the animal’s welfare, public safety and comply with relevant codes,” McDonald said in a statement.
“Taking native pets in public can cause the animals unnecessary stress, and they can behave in unpredictable ways when they are removed from their enclosures.”
Officials said they were concerned about Shiva’s well-being since the cold-blooded species generally avoids the ocean, except for sea snakes.
Fiuza claims that his cold-blooded friend actually likes to swim in the ocean. @skymonkey5 / Instagram
Officials said that although Fiuza had a permit to breed and care for the pythons, he was not allowed to transport them to unauthorized areas. @skymonkey5 / Instagram
Fiuza previously said he only kept the snake on the beach when he seemed to enjoy swimming in the water.
He claims that although he tends to hiss when he’s uncomfortable, he never did once during their sailing trip.
The video of the pair’s surfing exploits has been taken down from Instagram, with Fiuza’s account now private.
Carpet pythons are relatively common throughout Australia, with non-venomous snakes typically growing to about 8.2 feet in length, according to the Department of Environment and Science.
Some carpet pythons have been known to reach lengths of up to 13 feet.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
