Title: Crikey! The role of the Australian Reptile Park
Author: Madison Rodier, Jacqueline Nguyen and Jennifer Durnall (Edited by Martin Drinkwater and Ada Tam)
Category: Cool Science (Day in Science project)


The Australian Reptile Park (ARP) is the centre of research activities designed to gain a better understanding of venomous snakes and spiders. Along with being the sole supplier of venom from terrestrial snakes and funnel-web spiders, the ARP also runs a number of educational programs. These allow visitors to have a “hands-on” experience with the animals at the park, increasing public awareness about the environment.

The ARP was established originally as the Ocean Beach Aquarium on the Central Coast in 1948 by Australia’s first naturalist, Eric Worrel. Since 1996, the ARP has relocated from its old site in North Gosford to the tranquil bush land in Somersby to become the home for many species of reptiles and mammals.

Production of anti-venom and scientific research at the ARP

The ARP has a historical role in anti-venom production, and has been “milking” venom from deadly species of snakes and spiders for over 50 years. The venom is sent to the Commonwealth Serum Laboratories (CSL Limited) in Melbourne – the only Australian manufacturer of anti-venom for snakebite and spider bite victims. To produce snake anti-venom, large Percheron horses are regularly injected with the venom at low levels so that the horses are unaffected, though develops antibodies to resist the foreign substance. After a period of 10 to 12 months, a small amount of blood is drawn from the horse. The plasma (liquid) of the blood that contains the antibodies is used to treat snakebite victims. For funnel-web spiders, anti-venom is produced using rabbits rather than horses. The ARP is the sole supplier of venom from terrestrial snakes and funnel-web spiders to CSL Limited, and it is estimated that over 300 lives have been saved as a result.

A reptile carpet python snake.

In recent years, the ARP has been directing more of its efforts toward conservation projects involving provision of captive spaces for threatened reptiles and frogs, and captive breeding. John Weigel, Director of the ARP, says that by making the ARP’s conservation and research activities apparent to its visitors, a positive educational response is achieved - many people become interested in the projects and the plight of the species being studied.

Apart from assembling the basic biological story for a species and identifying that it has very special conservation needs, projects at ARP help raise awareness and sensitivity in the wider community to the many facets of Australian nature. Most importantly, they cultivate appreciation held for our non-mammalian vertebrates.

The ARP’s research activities must comply with the NSW Animal Research Act as well as the NSW Exhibited Animal Protection Act. Both have extensive guidelines about the treatment of wild animals used in research. This includes involvement of an “ethics committee” and regular inspections from government bodies. “In house” protocols for the projects are consistent with general zoo-keeping procedures that ARP staff and volunteers are trained to follow.

Through his research and work at the Park, John aims to be a part of the “soul” of the ARP: a tourist attraction that undertakes a life-saving role in anti-venom production and other scientific activities. He hopes that the ARP will be known as “that place doing interesting life-saving and nature-saving activities”.

Tourism and education

Walking inside the "crocodile's mouth" at the ARP.

The ARP relies on funding from tourists. Michael Tate, an education officer at the ARP, spends his time giving demonstrations on animals and the environment at the park, schools and media spots. Michael has done over 17,000 shows at the ARP and frequently conducts “show and tell” sessions on TV and radio. His primary goal is to entertain the visitors and provide value for money as a tourist destination. His second aim is to inform the public about the environment, reptiles and animals in general. Michael hopes to reduce fear of reptiles and promote a long-term change in the attitude of the general public, resulting in a more secure future for many already endangered or soon to be endangered species.

Michael believes that good sound knowledge of the subject is essential when educating people with relatively little background knowledge. The ability to think quickly and to judge an audience is also important; you need to be a very proficient public speaker and include body language to avoid boring the audience. Furthermore, demonstrations are a performance rather than a lecture so you need to be confident! Michael often uses analogies that the audience can relate to, for example, “a bearded dragon feels like cat’s tongue”. He says that it is important to sound excited and accessible. People will feel comfortable speaking to you if you appear approachable, not intimidating.

Providing factual information in an entertaining manner and dispelling many myths can broaden the public’s perception and general knowledge. Visitors have been known to become amateur reptile keepers as a result of the demonstrations. In school situations, the impact of live animals in a hands-on situation is permanent for students who may never have seen a snake. Many children’s attitudes are changed in a single session and develop a life-long affinity for animals.

Originally published in
A day in the Life Sciences in Australia