By GEORGIA WESTGARTH
THE most dangerous snake in the world made a Christmas trip to Cranbourne Park Shopping Centre just 25 days out from the big day.
A 1m long tiger snake was caught hiding among boxes of fruit at the newly renovated centre about 9.30pm on Monday 30 November.
Security staff had been keeping an eye on the adult snake, and were relieved to see Snake Catchers Victoria’s Barry Goldsmith walk through the door.
“They were very happy to see me,” Barry said, and the snake was caught and bagged in no time.
“I had four security guards around me as I caught the snake – I thought who’s monitoring the rest of the centre.”
The tiger snake presumed to be about five years old had had a merry old time window shopping before his festive bargain hunting came to an end.
“He had been crawling around the whole arcade, past the Reject Shop and the Lolly Shop before settling in the fruit shop,” Barry said.
Perhaps after some fruit mince pies, Barry said it was most likely the tiger snake had sniffed out a rodent.
“The scent of a mouse may have led the snake into the shopping centre,” he said.
Kmart and Coles were the only stores open at the time and a spokesperson from the centre said no-one was at risk.
Barry has since assured the centre that the snake has had its last shopping spree.
“I released it on a private property (belonging to a friend) just outside of Cranbourne well away from everybody,” Barry said.
Anyone who is aware of a snake on their property can call Barry Goldsmith on 0408 067 062.
