An Australian man who caused a social media sensation with clips 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, attracted attention earlier this month when he filmed himself surfing with his 3-year-old python, Shiva, who enjoyed outings wrapped around his body.
“She goes for a little swim and then gets back on the board, just surfing waiting for a wave, the perfect wave,” he told local 9News.
While the surfer and the snake were busy on the loose, Fiuza’s instant Instagram fame and news caught the attention of Australian authorities, who fined him $1,500 on Thursday.
Jonathan McDonald, senior wildlife officer at the Department of Environment and Science, said that while Fiuza had the proper permit to care for the python, he lacked a special license to travel 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 video of their travels on Instagram, now deleted.@skymonkey5 / Instagram
“We do not want permit holders to display their native animals in public unless they do so for a specific approved purpose and in a manner that best provides for the welfare of the animal, the safety of the public and complies with relevant codes. McDonald said in a statement.
“Taking native pets out in public can cause the animals unnecessary stress and they may behave unpredictably when taken out of their enclosures.”
Authorities have said they are concerned for Shiva’s well-being, given that cold-blooded species generally avoid the ocean, with the exception of sea snakes.
Fiuza claims that his cold-blooded friend likes to swim in the ocean.@skymonkey5 / Instagram
Authorities said that while Fiuza has permission to raise and care for the python, he cannot transport it to unauthorized areas. @skymonkey5 / Instagram
Fiuza has previously said he only kept the snake on the beach when it seemed to enjoy swimming in the water.
She claims that while she tends to whistle whenever she feels uncomfortable, she hasn’t done it even once during her surfing trips.
The video of the couple’s sailing exploits was removed from Instagram and Fiuza’s account is now private.
Carpet pythons are fairly common throughout Australia, and the non-venomous snakes typically grow to about 8.2 feet long, according to the Department of Environment and Science.
Some carpet pythons are known to reach up to 13 feet in length.
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Source: vtt.edu.vn