CO Press:As exotic pets increase, rescue workers take ...

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Posted by Desiree on March 25, 2002 at 11:00:27:

"Liam, a green iguana, surveys the room from the shoulder of Liz Pordon, of Colorado Reptile Rescue, during a training seminar at the Pikes Peak Humane Society for local firefighters and law enforcement on how to handle reptiles. In the background, William Williams of the Fountain Fire Department practices controlling a boa constrictor."

3/24/02

As exotic pets increase, rescue workers take reptile handling classes

By JEREMY MEYER
Gazette (Colorado Springs, Colo.)

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. � The teachers in class one recent Saturday slithered, hissed and even scurried beneath a podium at the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region.

A tarantula, snakes and other reptiles helped emergency workers learn to handle exotic creatures.

The class, organized by members of Colorado Reptile Rescue, was set up after a 43-year-old Aurora, Colo., man was killed by his snake.

Emergency workers last month pried the 10-foot Burmese python off the man after it had coiled around his neck. The man died, and the snake was euthanized.

Rescuing the man could have been as easy as unwinding the snake by its tail, said director Ann-Elizabeth Nash.

"If you cut the snake in half, it won't help," she said. "And a pry bar won't help."

If a snake has chomped onto someone, pour a small amount of vinegar or liquor in its mouth, she said.

The dozen or so firefighters and emergency medical technicians took note. Then they took a hands-on approach, coiling snakes around their bodies and attempting to make "iguana burritos" - that is, corralling scampering iguanas by wrapping them in blankets and stuffing them under their arms. It's the safest way to nab them, Nash said.

"I would have never known how to do that," said Tonnya Fahr, a firefighter from Northeastern Teller County, after successfully wrapping an iguana. "Now I do."

David Williams of the Colorado Springs Fire Department said it's useful information.

"We're getting more and more animals like this," he said. "We need to know the ways to handle them."

People also must know these aren't gentle, tame creatures, said Shawna Pugmire, local representative for Colorado Reptile Rescue.

"They are typically very aggressive and have very good chompers," she said, holding an Asian water monitor.

That doesn't mean they need to be sacrificed in an emergency, said William Williams of the Fountain Fire Department.

"The quick reaction and easy thing to do is kill the (animal) to save the person," he said. "But there are ways to do it where you can save both."

� 2002, The Gazette (Colorado Springs, Colo.).

As exotic pets increase, rescue workers take...

Follow Ups:

Thats us! We are conducting more training in Denver in Apr... np Mark 03/25/02 (0)
More of this training is needed for sure, to save and not kill or mame. Linda 03/25/02 (0)

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: : "Liam, a green iguana, surveys the room from the shoulder of Liz Pordon, of Colorado Reptile Rescue, during a training seminar at the Pikes Peak Humane Society for local firefighters and law enforcement on how to handle reptiles. In the background, William Williams of the Fountain Fire Department practices controlling a boa constrictor." : 3/24/02 : As exotic pets increase, rescue workers take reptile handling classes : By JEREMY MEYER : Gazette (Colorado Springs, Colo.) : COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. � The teachers in class one recent Saturday slithered, hissed and even scurried beneath a podium at the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region. : A tarantula, snakes and other reptiles helped emergency workers learn to handle exotic creatures. : The class, organized by members of Colorado Reptile Rescue, was set up after a 43-year-old Aurora, Colo., man was killed by his snake. : Emergency workers last month pried the 10-foot Burmese python off the man after it had coiled around his neck. The man died, and the snake was euthanized. : Rescuing the man could have been as easy as unwinding the snake by its tail, said director Ann-Elizabeth Nash. : "If you cut the snake in half, it won't help," she said. "And a pry bar won't help." : If a snake has chomped onto someone, pour a small amount of vinegar or liquor in its mouth, she said. : The dozen or so firefighters and emergency medical technicians took note. Then they took a hands-on approach, coiling snakes around their bodies and attempting to make "iguana burritos" - that is, corralling scampering iguanas by wrapping them in blankets and stuffing them under their arms. It's the safest way to nab them, Nash said. : "I would have never known how to do that," said Tonnya Fahr, a firefighter from Northeastern Teller County, after successfully wrapping an iguana. "Now I do." : David Williams of the Colorado Springs Fire Department said it's useful information. : "We're getting more and more animals like this," he said. "We need to know the ways to handle them." : People also must know these aren't gentle, tame creatures, said Shawna Pugmire, local representative for Colorado Reptile Rescue. : "They are typically very aggressive and have very good chompers," she said, holding an Asian water monitor. : That doesn't mean they need to be sacrificed in an emergency, said William Williams of the Fountain Fire Department. : "The quick reaction and easy thing to do is kill the (animal) to save the person," he said. "But there are ways to do it where you can save both." : � 2002, The Gazette (Colorado Springs, Colo.).

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