Feathers fly at ODA wildlife presentation

The situation was slithery at the Out-of-Door Academy Lower Campus Friday afternoon. 

A presentation by Matthews Wildlife Rescue Inc. included an appearance by a Burmese python by the name of Axel Rose. Students scooted from the front row in awe of the python that was rescued by the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office and given to Matthews Wildlife Rescue Inc. to be used as a learning tool. 

However, students eagerly volunteered their teachers to hold the snake that required six adults to stretch out its full body length. 

The presentation was a way for students to see first-hand the importance of environmental conservation. Other animals on display included a tortoise that was the victim of animal cruelty, an iguana named Causeway that was found near the roads during a particularly cold winter, a great horned owl and a screech owl. 

After the presentation handler Justin Matthews took questions from students ranging from what can the python eat and why isn’t he scared of any of the animals. 

"I'm not scared of anything. The only thing I’m scared of is my wife," Matthews responded.