A "highly venomous" yellow-bellied sea snake was found dead by a member of the public over the weekend on Rangiahua/Flat Island, near Aotea/Great Barrier Island. Department of Conservation project manager Sarah Dwyer said the snake was found on Saturday, May 3, 2025. "Thankfully, the snake was reported immediately to DOC and is now at the DOC office on Aotea. The snake will be sent to Te Papa for their collection," she stated.
This latest sighting is not the first of its kind in recent times. Just days earlier, on April 27, 2025, 1News reported that a yellow-bellied sea snake was discovered alive on a beach north of Auckland. However, when DOC arrived at the location, the snake had died after appearing to have been bitten by a dog and "hit with something." Additionally, a live snake was found near Hokitika on the West Coast in recent weeks. Dwyer noted that more sightings were expected due to storm events in the warmer waters to the north of New Zealand, where these snakes generally reside.
Dwyer explained that sea snakes and kraits are occasional visitors to New Zealand’s waters but are considered a native species under the Wildlife Act 1953. "This is because they arrive here naturally from time to time on ocean currents — rather than by human transportation. It is therefore illegal to kill or harass a sea snake, or possess one or any part of one without a permit," she emphasized.
Though highly venomous, Dwyer reassured the public that sea snakes are "docile creatures" and stated, "There is no record of anyone in New Zealand being bitten." DOC marine science adviser Karen Middlemiss added that snakes generally don’t last long after arriving in New Zealand due to the cold waters, saying, "When they do wash up on the beaches, they don't survive very much longer than a couple of days." If someone finds a sea snake or krait, Dwyer recommends to "keep well away" and call 0800 DOC HOT.
In a separate incident, a dog named Willow, a nine-year-old Springer Spaniel, suffered horrific injuries after being bitten by a venomous adder while out on a walk through a housing estate in Northwich, Cheshire. Owner Adam Penn was shocked to discover that his beloved pet had been bitten, resulting in a shocking open wound on her face and a £2,500 vet bill. Initially, Adam noticed swelling behind Willow's head and a lack of appetite, thinking she had been stung by a wasp. However, her symptoms worsened, leading him to take her to the vet, where they confirmed she had been bitten by an adder.
Adders are the only venomous snakes in Britain, and while their venom is not typically dangerous to humans, it can be fatal for dogs. Adam expressed his concern, stating, "I was really shocked. She's unlucky but she's lucky to be alive. If it was a smaller dog, then it could have been fatal." Willow was placed on a drip and given antibiotics, but it was too late for anti-venom medication.
Adam described the situation as "really touch and go" since Willow's blood pressure had dropped. "She's nine years old but she's a young nine, so before this had happened, I thought we might have another six or seven years with her. I didn't question saving her - I asked the vets to do what he could do with her. When the anaesthetic had worn off, she started to recover and she's just been a fighter," he said.
Despite the dire situation, Willow is now recovering, although she will need ultraviolet light treatment to aid in her healing process. Adam is now alerting other pet owners to be aware of the symptoms of adder bites. "Dogs can get bitten by adders on their neck or on their nose or on their bellies when they are rooting through bushes. You need to realize when your pet isn't normal and then investigate it," he advised.
Tragically, just last month, a Jack Russell named Donnie was killed after being bitten by an adder in Thetford Forest, Suffolk. The two-year-old dog was out for a walk with his owner Logan Mathers when the adder bit him on the face. Despite being rushed to the vet and receiving anti-venom medication, Donnie's health deteriorated, and he sadly passed away.
Ali Mathers, Donnie's mother, shared her heartbreak, saying, "The whole family went over on Saturday morning to say goodbye to our beautiful boy. He really was so full of life. We are absolutely heartbroken and just can't believe it. We want to stop another dog being hurt." The People's Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA) has warned that swelling from an adder bite can cause serious problems for dogs, especially if bitten on the face or neck, leading to severe illness or even death.
Meanwhile, in Kentucky, Jim Harrison, co-director of the Kentucky Reptile Zoo, is recovering after being bitten on his hand by a Jameson’s mamba snake while working on an antivenom project. "The male shot out. I grabbed it, and then the female took advantage of me not paying attention and she shot up and bit me," he recounted. Harrison's condition deteriorated quickly, prompting immediate medical attention.
His fellow director, Kristen Wiley, noted that time is crucial in such situations. "We drove to Stanton for the antiserum," Harrison explained. Upon arrival, an ambulance met them, and he was quickly treated. "They started the antiserum. They put me in the helicopter and intubated me, and after that, I don’t know anything," he added.
After spending three days in the ICU, Harrison is now recovering well, although he continues to experience pain in his arm. "It’s not instant pain. The pain is some of the muscle breaking down, I believe," he remarked. With a career spanning many years, Harrison has been bitten by venomous snakes 16 times, but he has never missed work due to these incidents.
Interestingly, the venom from mambas is being researched as an alternative to opioid pain treatment, which could potentially revolutionize pain management. Wiley remarked, "Obviously, that would be a huge advantage if they could mitigate pain without having the same addictive tendencies as opioids do.”
