Local authorities are calling on the community to help them solve the mystery of two beheaded endangered snakes discovered in the Gunbower Forest, north of Bendigo.
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A field officer from the North Central Catchment Management Authority (CMA) came across two large endangered Murray Darling carpet pythons hung over the branch of a tree in the northern end of the forest in late November.
North Central CMA Project Manager Adrian Martins said the find was “disturbing” and he suspected “foul play”.
“Wildlife Officers from DELWP are investigating whether they were hit by a car, but the fact they were beheaded and strung over a tree suggests foul play is involved,” he said.
”To see one carpet python in the forest is a rare sight. To find two adults in the one area is remarkable.
“That is what makes this very disturbing.”
Mr Martins reassured the community carpet pythons were non-venomous and relatively harmless, unless they are picked up.
He stressed the species only bite to defend themselves.
They are one of the character species for the forest and are a regional treasure.
Mr Martins said authorities were looking into every possibility, including whether the snakes were dumped or accidentally killed.
“They are quite large, so if they were mating or fighting, they would have been very easy to see. That would have also made it impossible for them to get away,” he said.
“By the time we found them they were too decayed to work out whether they had been shot or hacked with an axe or shovel, but the fact their heads were removed suggests it wasn’t an accident.
The fear is these snakes have been killed and their heads taken as trophies.”
Murray Darling carpet pythons were once widespread across Victoria, but there are now fewer than 200 confirmed records of them in the state.
Loss of habitation, being preyed upon by cats and foxes and poaching have exacerbated their decline and they are classified as threatened in Victoria.
Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) Senior Wildlife Officer Brady Childs said all native wildlife in Victoria is protected under the Wildlife Act 1975.
“Any person who destroys threatened wildlife can be found guilty of an offence under S41(1) of the Wildlife Act 1975 which carries a maximum penalty of a fine up to $36,400 and/or two years imprisonment,” Mr Childs said.
If anyone has information about this incident, please contact the DELWP on 136 186 and speak to a wildlife officer.
