Latest news with #StuartMcKenzie
ABC News
2 days ago
- Health
- ABC News
Influx of highly venomous sea snakes on Sunshine Coast shorelines
Although they are usually found sleeping underwater or diving in the ocean, potentially deadly sea snakes have been washing up in higher than usual numbers on Sunshine Coast shorelines this past week. Bryan Fry has been studying venomous animals and sea snakes at the University of Queensland for nearly 30 years. He said although they were fascinating creatures, their venom could kill. "Don't pick it up because even though it's injured or dying it's still capable of a lethal bite," Dr Fry said. "Sea snake venom is very, very potent and could kill." Sunshine Coast Snake Catchers owner Stuart McKenzie has been catching and handling snakes for more than a 12 years. He said it was uncommon to spot a sea snake on a Sunshine Coast beach — except for when there had been rough weather. "When they're either sick or get injured, or there's large swells and they can't get back out into that deep water, they will get washed ashore," Mr McKenzie said. Mr McKenzie has been called out to more than 10 sea snake jobs this week alone. The snake catcher said sea snakes, as the name suggested, belonged in the sea. "We do get a lot of weather events and big swells from time to time, and it certainly doesn't help our sea snakes," Mr McKenzie said. "Sometimes it's because they're just tired and they've been struggling against the tides trying to get out, but other times they might get hit by a boat, they might have an illness, and they do need help." He said once removed from the beach the "fragile" sea snakes were often relocated to the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital. "A majority of the time they're rehabilitated and released again, but sometimes obviously they succumb to their injuries or illness," he said. Despite their deadly venom Dr Fry said sea snakes were not aggressive in nature. "They're incredibly cool animals that, if you go diving with them, if you remain calm, you can end up having a remarkable encounter underwater," he said. "If you don't try to grab them and just kind of chill and hang out they're going to get inquisitive with you. "But they might try to mate with your regulator hose. "They're very curious and very gentle, but when messed with they will give you a savage bite." He said sea snakes absorbed 20 per cent of their oxygen through their gas-permeable skin, which helped increase their dive time. A sea snake can dive more than 100 metres deep and dump its carbon dioxide through its skin underwater. The "magnificent" snakes still need to come to the surface to breathe. They also need fresh water to stay hydrated. "When there's a storm and when there's rain there's a thin lens of fresh water on the top of the ocean water because fresh water is less dense than salt water," Dr Fry said. "The sea snakes will drink off of that." According to Dr Fry the biggest threat to a sea snake, other than rough seas, was sharks. If you stumble upon a sea snake washed up at the beach, the best course of action is to report it. "We've had people pick them up and try and put them back in the ocean thinking they're helping," Mr McKenzie said. "Anytime someone sees a sea snake, or any snake really, whether it's on the beach or in the bush, you should leave them alone. Keep a safe distance. Keep pets away." The snake catcher said even if a snake looked dead, do not touch it. "I've picked them up before and as soon as you touch them they start flailing around," Mr McKenzie said. "Leave it to the professionals."
UPI
4 days ago
- UPI
Watch: Venomous snake found napping in model train set tunnel
Aug. 12 (UPI) -- An Australian reptile wrangler was called to a Queensland home where residents discovered a venomous snake napping in a model train set tunnel. Stuart McKenzie of Sunshine Coast Snake Catchers 24/7 was called out to a home where a resident spotted what he initially thought to be a rubber snake on his model train set. The snake catching business said on social media that the reptile was a "healthy and rather large" brown tree snake that "decided to have a sleep in the train set." The post included a video of McKenzie safely removing the snake from a tunnel on the model train tracks. McKenzie says in the video that the snake is preparing to shed its skin. The video ends with the snake being released into a tree. "Back in the tree where you belong, away from the model train set," McKenzie tells the serpent. Brown tree snakes are venomous, but are generally not considered dangerous to adult humans.
UPI
30-06-2025
- General
- UPI
Watch: Venomous snake found hiding in bedroom closet
June 30 (UPI) -- An Australian snake catcher responded to a Queensland home where a venomous red-bellied black snake was found hiding out in a resident's closet. Stuart McKenzie of Sunshine Coast Snake Catchers 24/7 responded to the home where a snake was found hiding out in a bedroom closet. A video posted to Facebook shows McKenzie catch the snake by its tail and place it into a bag for relocation into the wild. "This beautiful little snake snuck its way into the house and found a cozy little corner to snooze in, until Stu came along," the post said. The organization said most home-invading snakes find their way in through garage doors, sliding doors and broken screens.
ABC News
01-06-2025
- General
- ABC News
Queensland snake catcher warns public that killing snakes risks huge fines
Readers are advised this story contains an image that some people may find distressing. A Sunshine Coast-based snake catcher was called for assistance to relocate a red-bellied black snake on a resident's property. By the time the crew arrived, the snake was dead. They say it had been chopped in half. The incident has been reported to the Queensland Environment Department, which confirmed to the ABC it is investigating, and wasn't able to provide further comment. It's prompted a warning from Stuart McKenzie from Sunshine Coast Snake Catchers, who described the killing of any snake as unnecessary. "Snakes don't need to be killed, and there's always an alternative," Mr McKenzie said. A post on social media about the incident prompted a massive response and divided opinions. A spokesperson for the Environment Department said it would be "inappropriate" to make any further comment on this specific matter. But under state law, it's an offence to kill a snake, and doing so can attract a fine of more than $16,000. According to the department, Queensland is home to about 120 species of snakes, with about 65 per cent of these being venomous. It advises against killing a snake not only because it's illegal to do so, but because it "places you at a higher risk of being bitten if you force the snake to defend itself". Its official advice is: If you encounter a snake, don't panic. Back away to a safe distance and allow the snake to move away. Snakes often want to escape when disturbed. When left alone, snakes present little or no danger to people. Mr McKenzie said people placed themselves in more danger of being bitten if they tried to kill a snake. "People think that … you know, chopping the snake in half is protecting everybody," he said. He advises keeping a safe distance and letting it move on, or, calling for help if needed. Commercial snake catchers are licensed to remove and relocate snakes that are found on people's properties. As urban sprawl continues, Mr McKenzie said interactions between snakes and humans were becoming increasingly common in south-east Queensland. His main piece of advice was for people to stay as calm as possible and try not to interact with the snake. If it's in the house, Mr McKenzie advised getting everyone out of the house until someone could get there to help. "In the time it takes you to run outside to the shed, find a shovel, run back in and try and chase after the snake, you could have got all your family and pets outside in that time," he said. "[That way] you're not putting yourself in danger. You're not putting your kids in danger." And if it's outside, he advises going inside and shutting the door as well as keeping pets in. "It's honestly that simple," he said. Queensland's Health Department advises that in the event of a snake bite, people should call triple-0, and the person who has been bitten should lie down while awaiting an ambulance. The department says all snake bites should be treated as dangerous.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Carlisle firm opens new distribution centre in Longtown
Alastair and Stuart McKenzie outside K&S McKenzie's new Longtown Distribution Centre (Image: Supplied) A Carlisle firm has opened a new distribution centre in Longtown. K&S McKenzie, a family-owned business, has expanded to its third location. The company, which first opened in 1968, has been based on the Kingstown Industrial estate since 1972. Five years ago, the business opened its second premises, the Tool Centre store. The new distribution centre in Longtown is the latest addition, opening this month. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement The centre is a significant step forward for both the business and its customers. K&S McKenzie has seen steady growth since its beginnings. The business has expanded to its third location (Image: Supplied) Founded by Keith and Sarah McKenzie, the business is now run by their sons, Stuart and Alastair McKenzie. They have continued to evolve the business to meet customer needs. Stuart McKenzie said: "Our parents instilled in us the importance of adaptability and opportunity. "We've carried forward their ethos and focused on creating spaces that serve our customers better, while also paving the way for future generations." ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement The opening of the Longtown distribution centre has created five new jobs, bringing the total number of employees to around 40. The new facility has 16,500 square feet of internal storage and a 1.23-acre concrete yard. This more than doubles the size of the business. The Longtown facility also provides employees with a modern workspace, including a larger training room for staff development, CPC courses, and supplier-led talks. The increase in space allows for smoother stock management and dispatch across all depots and directly to customers across the UK. The centre also features an AdBlue line, capable of delivering 5,000 litres per hour. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement This is a significant improvement over previous capabilities. Stuart McKenzie added: "This new distribution centre is more than just a building - it's a testament to the journey we've been on as a family business. "From my parents' vision to the next generation stepping forward with my son Brandon looking to take the reins within the next five years, we've always embraced change and looked for new opportunities to grow." The business is looking forward to continuing its upward trajectory.
