No, it wasn’t a game of Cluedo, but it was a case of Anthony in the library with a snake hook!.

The drama unfolded this afternoon when Library Assistant Julia Whitby’s son Tim, heard something moving behind a small bookcase. Thinking it was a mouse he moved the bookcase slightly and caught a glimpse of a snake just a few inches from his foot.

He quickly and calmly got up and notified his Mum Julia, who promptly closed the door and called for help.

Fortunately, Mackay campus has its very own snake catcher in the form of Dr Anthony Wheeler, Biology lecturer. Anthony was called to retrieve the ‘brown’ snake, by which time it was lodged beneath some compactors.

Needless to say, there were many spectators (most behind the glass) and some interesting techniques being tried, but after close to an hour of perseverance Anthony managed to safely retrieve the Eastern Brown snake with no harm to either man or reptile.

Pauline McNee, Mackay Campus Library Manager was most disappointed to have missed the drama, but was happy that her library was now (hopefully!) snake-less.

According to Julie Whitby, the library from time to time plays host to various native creatures including the odd possum, green frog and bird, but thankfully snakes are fairly rare visitors. Perhaps they don’t like reading!.

Photo above: How do you get a grown man to jump up onto a chair? Just ask Jim Calinan who assisted with the snake retrieval.

Photo left: Anthony Wheeler successfully retrieved the snake - thought to have been an Eastern Brown.