Irony…
It’s like rain on your wedding day, a free ride when you’ve already paid, good advice you just didn’t take, and getting STABBED IN THE HAND BY A FUNNEL-WEB SPIDER WHILE TRYING TO COLLECT ANTI-VENOM TO SAVE SOMEONE ELSE’S LIFE (who would’ve thought…It figures).
Australian Reptile Park operations manager Mike Drinkwater has implored the people of NSW to lend him a life hand by helping them catch Funnel-Web spiders. Why? Because our anti-venom supplies are on the decline and have been for the last few years. Speaking to 702 ABC Sydney Radio, Mike said:
“Each year, at this time when its warming up, we need to get the public involved to help us get as many funnel-webs as possible so we can milk as many as we can to provide the venom which is essential to make the life saving anti-venom.”
Just a friendly reminder that Funnel-Web Spiders are well-known for being one of the the deadliest in the world. Though, thankfully, no deaths have been recorded since the development of the anti-venom 30 years ago, without which bite victims would be rendered dead within an hour.
If you want to help, by all means; you’re a braver soul than us.
All you need is a tall jar and a stick, says Mike. Put some damp cotton wool or soil into a jar and lay it down beside the spider. Then using a stick to flick it into the jar.
“They can’t jump at you and they won’t run at you,” he assures, but would also like to remind everyone reading that this is an adult-only activity, so check yourself before attempting, ok?
Here’s the expert video demo should you choose to accept this mission:
Via ABC.
Lead Image Via Getty Images/Ian Waldie.
