Reptile Park Marks 75 Years of Venom Program

The Australian Reptile Park is celebrating 75 years of its venom program, which has supported antivenom development since 1951.

Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Reptiles

Photograph of a single glass vial of pale golden liquid on a weathered wooden bench in dry Australian scrubland at golden hour. — The Australian Reptile Park marked 75 years of its venom program, which has supplied venom for antivenom manufacturing since 1951 and is credited with saving about 25,000 lives. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The Australian Reptile Park has marked 75 years since its venom program began in 1951. The park says approximately 25,000 lives have been saved through antivenom since 1956.

Why it matters

Venom extracted at the park is sent to CSL Seqirus in Melbourne to manufacture antivenom used across Australia. The anniversary highlights the long-running role of venom research in treating envenomation.

The park reports approximately 25,000 lives saved through antivenom since 1956, drawing on its own program records. The source does not explain how this count was verified, and it is not independently confirmed.

The players

Australian Reptile Park

A Central Coast wildlife park known for its venomous animal collection and its long-running venom extraction program that supports antivenom production.

CSL Seqirus

A Melbourne-based biotechnology company that manufactures antivenom from venom supplied by the park.

Eric Worrell

A herpetologist who started the park's venom program in 1951 and supplied tiger snake venom to Commonwealth Serum Laboratories.

The details

The venom program began in 1951 under Eric Worrell, who supplied tiger snake venom to Commonwealth Serum Laboratories in Melbourne. Highly trained keepers carefully extract venom from the park's animals, which is then sent to CSL Seqirus for antivenom manufacturing.

1951: The venom program begins under Eric Worrell.
1955: Taipan antivenom is developed using coastal taipan venom.
1981: Funnel web spider antivenom is introduced.
November 2026: The park dedicates the month to venomous animal wildlife shows and educational presentations.

Seasonal Patterns

Anniversaries of long-running antivenom programmes, such as this one begun in 1951, show how sustained venom extraction has underpinned Australian antivenom supply for decades. The park's 75-year record places this milestone within that continuous history.

Australians with an interest in venomous wildlife can attend the park's November shows and educational presentations. The programme underlines the role of local venom research in treating bites across the country.

The takeaway

Venom research has supported Australian antivenom production for 75 years, and the park's work continues to inform treatment. Readers interested in venomous animals can follow the park's November programme for educational events.