Man fined for taking surfing trips with pet python

AUSTRALIA: Higor Fiuza, a Gold Coast resident who became famous online for surfing with his pet python, was fined more than 2,000 Australian dollars for taking the snake in public.

Reports from Australian news outlets reveal that Fiuza and his morelia bredli python, named Shiva, had ventured into the waves at Rainbow Bay on at least ten occasions. Fiuza explained to 9News that Shiva would swim a bit and then return to the surfboard, seemingly awaiting the perfect wave.

According to Fiuza, Shiva displayed no signs of distress during these outings and didn’t hiss, which she would typically do when annoyed.

However, Queensland’s Department of Environment and Science wildlife officers raised concerns about Shiva’s welfare after seeing the viral video. A wildlife officer Jonathan McDonald said that snakes are cold-blooded animals and usually avoid water.

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He stated, “The python would have found the water to be extremely cold, and the only snakes that should be in the ocean are sea snakes.”

While Fiuza possessed the correct permit to keep the python as a pet, he lacked the necessary permit to take it out of his property. Consequently, Queensland’s Department of Environment and Science imposed a fine of 2,322 Australian dollars (approximately £1,207) on Fiuza for taking the reptile out in public without authorization.

McDonald emphasised, “Taking native pets out in public can cause the animals unnecessary stress, and they can behave in an unpredictable way when they are removed from their enclosures. We do not want permit holders to be displaying their native animals in public unless it is done for a specific approved purpose and in a way that best provides for the welfare of the animal, the safety of the public, and complies with the relevant codes.”