Australian Park Seeks Public Help to Capture Deadly Funnel-Web Spiders

The Australian Reptile Park is calling on residents to collect venomous spiders for antivenom production as mating season begins.

Funnel-web spiders, among the most dangerous in Australia, can kill a person in under 15 minutes without medical treatment.
No deaths have been recorded since the introduction of antivenom in 1981, highlighting the importance of the park's program.
The park needs approximately 150 spiders to produce just one vial of antivenom, making public contributions crucial.
Residents are encouraged to safely collect spiders and egg sacs, which can contain 150-200 spiders, to aid in antivenom production.
The park provides safety guidelines for capturing spiders, urging the use of jars or plastic containers and wearing protective gear.