KFBG’s hillside is home to many wild animals, including many different snake and wasp species, which form an important part of our ecosystem. These creatures, like most wild animals, are generally not interested in interacting with humans and will move away before you even realise that they are there. For the safety and wellbeing of staff we do occasionally remove and relocate snakes and remove wasp or hornet nests. Our Pest Management Team will first assess whether removal/relocation is needed, or whether the animals pose little or no threat to humans and can simply be left to get on with their life.

Snakes

When you come across a wild snake, misunderstandings and improper behaviour can put both you and the snake in danger. Therefore, it is important to learn more about snakes and understand some safety measures that can be employed when encountering a snake. When our Pest Management Team receives notice of a wild snake having strayed into a KFBG work area they will send one of our Grade 1 or Grade 2 listed snake handlers to assess the situation, armed with their snake management kit. If we feel either the staff or the snake is in danger from remaining in that work area we will remove it and later relocate it to an appropriate habitat away from people. Wild snakes are an important part of our hillside ecosystem. You can find out more about what to do if you encounter a wild snake: What to do if you encounter a wild snake?

Wasps

Many people think of wasps as annoying pests. Wasps live on our hillside and form part of our natural ecosystem – they eat many other insects, some of which are thought of as agricultural pests. When our Pest Management Team receives notice of a wasp nest found in a KFBG work area or alongside a footpath they will assess the situation to decide whether the nest can safely remain where it is, or whether it poses a potential threat to staff and visitors. Where possible we will leave nests where they are and put an information sign informing staff and public of a nearby nest.