Surfers riding waves in Gold Coast, Australia.Photo:Chris Hyde/GettyAn Australian surfer has received a $1,500 fine for surfing with his pet python.Higor Fiuza went viral on social media earlier this month after he filmed himself bringing a carpet python named Shiva into the water at a Gold Coast beach in Queensland, Australia.Queensland’s Department of Environment and Science has now fined the surfer for breaching terms of his permit to keep the snake. This comes after wildlife protection officers were warned of his unsanctioned public appearances with the python,BBC Newsreported.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Australian Surfer riding waves with his pet python.9 NewsThe department is also investigating Fiuza and the carpet python, which is native to Australia, over concerns for the reptile’s well-being, following the surfer’s recent social media content.“The man was brought to our attention when he appeared in local media taking his python into the surf,” senior wildlife officer Jonathan McDonaldsaid in a media release.The officer said that permit holders should only bring their animals out in public for an “approved purpose” and in a way “that best provides for the welfare of the animal, the safety of the public and complies with the relevant codes.““Snakes are obviously cold-blooded animals, and while they can swim, reptiles generally avoid water,” McDonald said. “The python would have found the water to be extremely cold, and the only snakes that should be in the ocean are sea snakes.“According toCNN affiliate Nine News, Fiuza often surfs with Shiva at beaches in the Gold Coast area, wrapping the python around his neck or dangling her from his surfboard.“She goes for a swim a little bit and then comes back to the board. She’s just cruising, waiting for a wave — for the perfect wave,” Fiuza said. “I go under the water and come up and she’s just there. Never put out my hand to save her or anything.“In another interview, the surfer also revealed that he has surfed with the carpet python — which is non-venomous and can grow up to 13 feet long — at least 10 times.“I always took her to the beach and she loved to be in the water swimming. So, one day I decided to take her out for a surf and she loved it,” Fiuza told theAustralian Broadcasting Corporation.“Usually when she doesn’t like something she starts hissing. But she doesn’t hiss [in the water], she is always chill,” he continued.
Surfers riding waves in Gold Coast, Australia.Photo:Chris Hyde/Getty
Chris Hyde/Getty
An Australian surfer has received a $1,500 fine for surfing with his pet python.Higor Fiuza went viral on social media earlier this month after he filmed himself bringing a carpet python named Shiva into the water at a Gold Coast beach in Queensland, Australia.Queensland’s Department of Environment and Science has now fined the surfer for breaching terms of his permit to keep the snake. This comes after wildlife protection officers were warned of his unsanctioned public appearances with the python,BBC Newsreported.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Australian Surfer riding waves with his pet python.9 NewsThe department is also investigating Fiuza and the carpet python, which is native to Australia, over concerns for the reptile’s well-being, following the surfer’s recent social media content.“The man was brought to our attention when he appeared in local media taking his python into the surf,” senior wildlife officer Jonathan McDonaldsaid in a media release.The officer said that permit holders should only bring their animals out in public for an “approved purpose” and in a way “that best provides for the welfare of the animal, the safety of the public and complies with the relevant codes.““Snakes are obviously cold-blooded animals, and while they can swim, reptiles generally avoid water,” McDonald said. “The python would have found the water to be extremely cold, and the only snakes that should be in the ocean are sea snakes.“According toCNN affiliate Nine News, Fiuza often surfs with Shiva at beaches in the Gold Coast area, wrapping the python around his neck or dangling her from his surfboard.“She goes for a swim a little bit and then comes back to the board. She’s just cruising, waiting for a wave — for the perfect wave,” Fiuza said. “I go under the water and come up and she’s just there. Never put out my hand to save her or anything.“In another interview, the surfer also revealed that he has surfed with the carpet python — which is non-venomous and can grow up to 13 feet long — at least 10 times.“I always took her to the beach and she loved to be in the water swimming. So, one day I decided to take her out for a surf and she loved it,” Fiuza told theAustralian Broadcasting Corporation.“Usually when she doesn’t like something she starts hissing. But she doesn’t hiss [in the water], she is always chill,” he continued.
An Australian surfer has received a $1,500 fine for surfing with his pet python.
Higor Fiuza went viral on social media earlier this month after he filmed himself bringing a carpet python named Shiva into the water at a Gold Coast beach in Queensland, Australia.
Queensland’s Department of Environment and Science has now fined the surfer for breaching terms of his permit to keep the snake. This comes after wildlife protection officers were warned of his unsanctioned public appearances with the python,BBC Newsreported.
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Australian Surfer riding waves with his pet python.9 News
9 News
The department is also investigating Fiuza and the carpet python, which is native to Australia, over concerns for the reptile’s well-being, following the surfer’s recent social media content.
“The man was brought to our attention when he appeared in local media taking his python into the surf,” senior wildlife officer Jonathan McDonaldsaid in a media release.
The officer said that permit holders should only bring their animals out in public for an “approved purpose” and in a way “that best provides for the welfare of the animal, the safety of the public and complies with the relevant codes.”
“Snakes are obviously cold-blooded animals, and while they can swim, reptiles generally avoid water,” McDonald said. “The python would have found the water to be extremely cold, and the only snakes that should be in the ocean are sea snakes.”
According toCNN affiliate Nine News, Fiuza often surfs with Shiva at beaches in the Gold Coast area, wrapping the python around his neck or dangling her from his surfboard.
“She goes for a swim a little bit and then comes back to the board. She’s just cruising, waiting for a wave — for the perfect wave,” Fiuza said. “I go under the water and come up and she’s just there. Never put out my hand to save her or anything.”
In another interview, the surfer also revealed that he has surfed with the carpet python — which is non-venomous and can grow up to 13 feet long — at least 10 times.
“I always took her to the beach and she loved to be in the water swimming. So, one day I decided to take her out for a surf and she loved it,” Fiuza told theAustralian Broadcasting Corporation.
“Usually when she doesn’t like something she starts hissing. But she doesn’t hiss [in the water], she is always chill,” he continued.
source: people.com
