The Australian Reptile Park unveils a world-class snake venom milking facility
Australian Reptile Park has unveiled the Weigel Venom Centre to milk some of Australia’s deadliest terrestrial snakes.
Named in honour of the Park's owners, John and Robyn Weigel, this brand-new facility is set to revolutionise the Park's venom program.
This all-new exhibit houses over 200 venomous terrestrial snakes that play a vital role in the Australian Reptile Park’s venom program. Visitors from across the globe will have the unique opportunity to witness the critical work that goes into the production of venom and the finalised product, lifesaving antivenom.
As visitors walk throughout this interactive exhibit, they will learn about the long history of the venom program, the venomous creatures that call Australia home, snake and spider bite first aid, as well as see the 200 snakes that are milked fortnightly within the facility. For every visitor that heads to the Australian Reptile Park, the entry to the Weigel Venom Centre is included within their entry ticket.
Exhibits within the Weigel Venom Centre.
Venom keeper, Dylan Wallis, milking a snake in the new Weigel Venom Centre.
"It’s been a long time in the making, and we are thrilled to finally be opening this historic venom facility. The new facility will allow us to continue to produce life-saving venom, while also providing visitors with an engaging and educational experience. It's amazing to think that the venom of these creatures, which can be so deadly, can also be the key to snakebite treatment."
Tim Faulkner, Director of the Australian Reptile Park
Since the 1950s, the Australian Reptile Park has taken on the deadly, yet lifesaving work of milking some of Australia’s most venomous terrestrial snakes for the production of venom. Currently, the Australian Reptile Park is the sole supplier of terrestrial snake and funnel-web spider venom for the purpose of antivenom.
For decades, the venom team have worked alongside CSL Seqirus to create antivenom to be distributed across the public health system, and through the assistance of the Australian Government, antivenom continues to remain free in Australia. Because of this, the venom program has saved over 20,000 lives and continues to save approximately 300 lives per year in Australia. The construction of this world-class facility was made possible due to partial funding from NSW Health and the Liberal Government.
Robyn Weigel, owner of the Australian Reptile Park, milking a Tiger snake.
A funnel-web spider being milked with a pipette.
The snakes on exhibit in the Weigel Venom Centre are primarily from five species groups that a part of their venom program; Eastern Brown snakes, Tiger snakes, King Brown snakes, Common death adders and Coastal taipans. Despite being known for housing hundreds of Australian venomous snakes, the Park boasts a large collection of exotic reptiles and snakes that guests can see on display in their themed exhibit, the Lost World of Reptiles.
For visitors wanting to get up-close to some of Australia’s and the world’s most deadliest snakes, go on a Behind the Scenes tour and explore off-display exhibits and areas of the Park, all while learning about the history of this award-winning wildlife park and their venom program.
For more information about the Australian Reptile Park, visit www.reptilepark.com.au