A massive boa constrictor spotted slithering around Sydney’s southern suburbs has finally been captured.
The NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development confirmed the red-tailed snake was caught in Sylvania, 22km south of the CBD, on Thursday.
Tyler Gibbons from Shire Snake Wranglers has been credited for capturing the snake, which was first spotted by terrified locals five days ago.
It comes after Sydneysiders were told ‘not to approach’ the reptile, believed to be an escaped pet, and to report any sightings to authorities.
Footage of the snake, believed to be 1.5metres in length, slithering near a bridge in Sylvania went viral after being posted to Facebook on Monday.
On Thursday afternoon, it was spotted not far from the bridge at Sylvania Boat Camp.
Despite the concerned response from locals, the snake catcher responsible for its rescue said boa constrictors are known to be calm animals.
‘They are very placid, boas… he never tried to bite me or anything like that,’ he told ABC Radio Sydney.
‘They’re beautiful snakes’.
Mr Gibbons said the snake was a juvenile and still had ‘a lot of growing to do’.
The boa will be handed over to the NSW Department of Primary Industries.
More to come.