Date: November 20, 2024
Why Australian zoo is asking Sydney residents to catch deadly funnel-web spiders
If you spotted an enormous, deadly funnel-web spider perched on her egg sac, your first reaction might be to back away quickly. But the Australian Reptile Park in New South Wales is urging Sydney residents to set aside their fear and carefully capture both the spider and her eggs for a life-saving cause.
The venom from funnel-web spiders, particularly the species found around Sydney, is notoriously fast-acting and lethal. Before the development of antivenom in 1981, funnel-web bites claimed 13 lives. Since then, the introduction of antivenom has eradicated fatalities from these spiders.
Every November, as breeding season begins, the Australian Reptile Park calls on the public to help supply these spiders for venom extraction. The venom is critical to the production of antivenom, and the zoo remains the sole provider in the country.
“With breeding season upon us and the weather creating ideal conditions, we rely on spider donations more than ever,” explained Emma Teni, the park’s spider keeper. “Male funnel-web spiders have short lifespans, and with approximately 150 spiders required to make just one vial of antivenom, public contributions are vital to meeting demand.”
Funnel-web spiders often reside in cool, damp environments with dense foliage. However, they’re also known to venture into homes, where they hide in piles of laundry, outdoor shoes, swimming pools, and garden debris.
To assist the public, the zoo has shared videos on social media demonstrating safe spider collection techniques. In one video, Teni shows how to use a long spoon to gently guide a spider with its egg sac into a secure container.
“We aim to encourage the spider into the jar in a single movement, ensuring it doesn’t destroy the egg sac in the process,” Teni explains. Each egg sac can contain 150 to 200 spiderlings, making it a significant resource for venom collection.
Once safely captured, the spiders can be delivered to one of several designated collection points or directly to the Australian Reptile Park.
People whose lives were saved by the antivenom have also voiced their gratitude and urged others to support the program.
“ARP and your antivenom program saved my life in 1994,” commented Nicole Webber on the park’s Facebook post. “I can only thank you all. Please support the program with safely captured spiders and donations.”
Karen Wright, another supporter, shared a similar story: “I am so grateful this program was in place in 1995. Years ago at work, we would collect spiders from the public and send them down. It’s wonderful to see this initiative continuing—it will save more lives.”
The call for spider donations is not just a request—it’s an opportunity for the public to play a direct role in saving lives and supporting this critical program.