The Gold Coast man was fined for breaching his permit for keeping native animals by taking his pet python, Shiza, out into public without permission. Image source: skymonkey5 via Instagram
A Gold Coast man who filmed himself surfing with his pet python has been fined $2,322 for breaching his permit to keep native animals.
Higor Fiuza and Shiza, his 3-year-old-carpet python, were filmed longboarding at Rainbow Bay early this month, with the footage going viral on social media.
Fiuza told ABC News that the python had surfed with him at least 10 times, and that she was a natural surfer.
However, Shiza’s surf sessions netted Fiuza the hefty fine last Thursday from Queensland’s Department of Environment and Science for taking the reptile out in public without permission — a breach of Fiuza’s permit.
“The man was brought to our attention when he appeared in local media taking his python into the surf,” said Senior Wildlife Officer Jonathan McDonald.
“Our investigation found the man had a permit to keep native animals, but he was issued with a Penalty Infringement Notice for the breaching section 88a of the Nature Conservation Act.
“Permit holders are not allowed to take animals from their licenced premises unless taking them to a vet or, selling or giving the animal to another permit holder or taking it to an authorised display.
“To take an animal out in public or display it requires a separate permit from the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries.
“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.”
McDonald noted that due to being cold-blooded, snakes typically avoid water despite being able to swim.
“The python would have found the water to be extremely cold, and the only snakes that should be in the ocean are sea snakes.”
Fiuza was also issued a warning for not updating his online record book in relation to the ownership of the snake.
The Queensland Department of Environment and Science’s full media statement can be read in full here.
