Local Kiama resident Alex McPaul had what for many is a common phobia or even nightmare when she returned to her car parked peacefully at the Quarry Leisure Centre in Kiama on Thursday 30 November 2023 to discover a large python had decided to take up residence underneath her car.

It was all resolved successfully when Hugh from WIRES (pictured below) rescue managed to remove the more than two metre long python from the car with the assistance of the car hoist at nearby Kiama Tyrepower.

Alex McPaul posted on the Kiama Community Page on Facebook:

“Very pleased the snake was uninjured and able to be safely and happily returned to its natural habitat “

Thanks to Hugh from WIRES Illawarra and Tyrepower Kiama for safely removing the gentle giant python.”

“Thanks also to Pete, Troy and the caring staff at the leisure centre for their support and efforts to try and remove the snake before Hugh arrived, and the lovely gentleman from the table tennis club who also assisted.”

Alex drove her car the short distance to Kiama Tyrepower, where as the photos show, Hugh for WIRES was able to safely extricate the more than two metre long python and then release it safely back into the bush.

Alex spoke to The Bugle and said that her daughter was at swimming lessons at the Leisure Centre when she noticed a crowd around her car in the carpark.

Some of the group told her a snake had weaved around her back wheel, and Hugh from WIRES was able to attend within half an hour.

Alex said “I drove the car from the leisure centre to Tyrepower. Hugh was able to tell the snake was not going to be caught up by the wheels. I was glad it was a quick drive.’

Alex said Hugh was able to get some quiet for the snake so it started to leave the car, and then was able to tickle the snake the rest of the way out.

Hugh was then able to put the snake in a bag and then do a controlled release in bushland some distance away.

Her daughter Aurora, three, told The Bugle over the phone the snake was friendly and she wasn't scared.

The Kiama Bugle applauds the professional response of the many people involved, and the commitment to protection of our valued local wildlife.