Venom shortage sparks call to hunt funnel-webs

Updated

Australians have been asked to catch the world's deadliest spider, the funnel-web, so the arachnids can be milked for their poison.

Funnel-web poison is needed to make the anti-venom which is used to treat spider bite victims. Without the anti-venom, victims may die within the hour.

The Australian Reptile Park, north of Sydney, is the only Australian centre where venom is extracted to make the anti-venom.

Julie Mendezona, who works at the park, says venom stocks are worryingly low.

She is urging anyone who catches a funnel-web to bring it in.

"Usually we are the ones saying to people, 'if you see a dangerous animal, leave it alone and then it will leave you alone, and you won't have any run-ins'," she said.

"But, it is really important that we turn to the community to actually obtain our funnel-webs.

"It's the most productive way for us to get these animals."

Reminds me of my childhood growing up in Sydney in the 70s. Funnel-webs were common in our backyard. Mum would often catch them and then deliver them to (I think) the local hospital. I was terrified of them. I vaguely remember the catching stopping as they no longer needed them to produce the anti-venom. Wayne Moran, via Facebook

My mother found a nest years ago and reported it in the early 80's. They came and got them. I know this helped research but a think professionals should be catching them not the average Joe. Lauren Kuhn, via Facebook

After being up at the Reptile Park at Somersby and seeing that they can't strike and run at me at the same time, I'm way more open to the idea! I recommend anyone head up there and make a point of speaking to the head of education. On a rainy day, he'll have a lot of time to talk to you and the experience up there really is amazing! Kathryn Wielinga, via Facebook

One potential outcome from this is that more people get bitten and more anti-venom is needed. Funnel-webs have pretty specific patterns of behaviour, surely it wouldn't be too hard to get some experts together to design a proper trap that doesn't encourage people to play with them? Drew Stevenson, via Facebook

Topics: invertebrates---insects-and-arachnids, health, vaccines-and-immunity, australia

First posted