Queensland surfer takes pet snake for ride on the water at Rainbow Bay, Coolangatta
An investigation is launched into a laid-back surfer who boldly took his pet snake for a swim over this brutal act, over concerns for the animal’s welfare.
Higor Fiuza took his carpet python into the water as it hit the waves at Rainbow Bay near Coolangatta, south-east Queensland.
Spectacular aerial footage captured by a drone and shared on Sunday showed the snake named Shiva draped over Mr Fiuza’s shoulder as he rides his surfboard.
Australians were impressed after the footage was shared on social media, but the Queensland Department of Parks and Wildlife Service was not happy and has launched an investigation to determine whether the surfer has broken wildlife laws.
Wildlife authorities are investigating a man who took his pet snake for a surf while hitting the waves on a Queensland beach
At one point, the footage shows the surfer riding a small wave as the python is hurriedly flung around its neck.
The clip also features the man paddling on the water, with the animal snuggling comfortably on the surfboard as it soaks up the sun.
The video of Mr Fiuza’s daring act was shared on an Instagram page before receiving many comments from social media users, including the surfer.
“Cheers bro… what a day,” Mr. Fiuza said.
“That’s wild,” one social media user wrote.
“I really saw everything,” added another.
Mr. Fiuza told ABC the three-year-old snake has surfed ten times and said Shiva was “a natural talent.”
“She’s such a great snake,” Mr. Fiuza said.
“I used to take her to the beach and she loved swimming in the water, so one day I decided to take her surfing and she loved it.”
Mr Fiuza said he was not worried about losing Shiva in the water as the animal has developed a strong grip and now holds its neck tightly while surfing.
She knew she could swim. She goes underwater and comes back to me,” he said.
Surfer Higor Fiuza took his carpet python Shiva for a swim before the pair rode the waves together
However, the authorities take no notice of the man’s antics as they launch an investigation into his actions.
The Queensland Department of Parks and Wildlife Service told Daily Mail Australia they are investigating whether the man has broken wildlife laws.
“The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service is aware of media reports of an individual allegedly carrying a pet snake in public,” a department spokesperson said.
“Wild nature officials are investigating the matter to determine whether legal provisions from the Nature Conservation Act 1992 or permit conditions from the Nature Conservation Ordinance 2020 have been violated.”
Experts say exposing snakes to the water will harm the animal.
Tim Hudson, of Hudson Snake Catching Gold Coast and Hinterland, told us 7Newsthe Shiva should not have been taken into the water.
“Snakes are ecotherms, so obviously this can put a lot of stress on the snake when they’re in that cold, salty water,” said Mr Hudson.
“Snakes are very vulnerable to their environment and the way they interact with their environment. Standing in the cold, salty surf would certainly cause that animal a considerable amount of stress.”
Mr Fiuza said Shiva had surfed at least 10 times and was a “natural talent” as video posted on social media showed the snake hanging on the man’s shoulders as he surfed.
Authorities are investigating Mr. Fiuza’s actions to determine whether he has broken the laws of nature after his brutal act. Experts say that snakes should not be taken into the water.