An Australian zoo is asking the public to capture and donate deadly funnel-web spiders in order to replenish low antidote levels due to a wave of bites. Yes, you read that right.
The Australian Reptile Park has supplied all the funnel-web venom to antidote manufacturers since the 1980s. The park relies on donations from the public to provide spiders that will be used in the antidote production process. The spiders are milked and the venom is delivered to CSL Ltd, a blood and plasma vaccine producer, which then uses it to create the antidote.
“We rely on community support to keep this program alive. We have tried to catch enough spiders ourselves and we just can’t,” Tim Faulkner, the park’s general manager, said.
Not enough spiders were donated last year, putting the anti-venom program at risk. After a heatwave, spider activity increased leading to a heightened need for the life-saving antidote.