Snake and baby photo, good or bad parenting?

Poidevin · 30-05-2010, 12:15 AM

So I was just wondering what people's thoughts on this are. Basically a couple employed at Australia Zoo wanted a family photo and had their 4 month old baby sit with a 4m python to make a good photo.
Here's the pic -

Do you think this constitutes bad/negligent parenting? Personally I don't as the parents are trained proffesionals and I would like to think they know what they're doing.

Link to article - http://www.news.com.au/national/snak...-1225872866718

pottery beige · 30-05-2010, 12:27 AM

what a beaut piccy, cute kid and a bloody nice snake!!..

uranium_death · 30-05-2010, 12:44 AM

I am not sure if it's bad 'parenting' so to speak...I just think it's dangerous.

I like snakes, but I think this sort of thing could end badly.

One of those lines that could end in disaster, 'Oh, the snake wouldn't hurt a fly.'

Goes well with, 'I wonder what this button does'.

Oh, they're trained professionals? Oh, well that's different. Nothing ever goes wrong with professionals around.

If it ended badly, people would be absolutely criticising them.

Mz Revvv Head · 30-05-2010, 01:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pottery beige

what a beaut piccy, cute kid and a bloody nice snake!!..

Agreed ...

I wouldn't say it's bad parenting at all,
If they didn't trust or know the nature of this snake, they would NEVER have done this ...
No harm done ... Lovely pic

Things can always go wrong, no doubting that ...
There are some horror story's of bad parents, these parents are not IMO ...

Meg's GT's · 30-05-2010, 05:44 AM

I'm glad for the snakes sake the baby girl has a nappy on because by the expression on her face she looks like she's crapping herself.....

Bad parenting/good parenting??? Just who and where are these perfect parents that set the guidelines anyways?

I'm beginning to think some people are right when they've said that any publicity is better than no publicity for Australia Zoo

**buggerlugs** · 30-05-2010, 06:37 AM

That snake is used every day of the week for photos with little kids and adults. Babies are also photographed every day. What you don't see in the photo is two snake handlers , one on each side of the snake and the photographer. I do sub contracting work there. The Zoo did not publish the photo. The proud Grandparent did , but thats ok, you believe everything you read in the press, it must be true...................

Bucknaked · 30-05-2010, 06:46 AM

I wonder what the snake is thinking. Free meal?

Poor decision putting the life of your baby into harms way for the sake of a memory. Doesn't matter what precautions or steps taken to take the shot, there is always something that can happen.

I guess if the snake crushes the baby, they'll have a bizaare photo to remeber their child by.

pottery beige · 30-05-2010, 07:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bucknaked

I wonder what the snake is thinking. Free meal?

Poor decision putting the life of your baby into harms way for the sake of a memory. Doesn't matter what precautions or steps taken to take the shot, there is always something that can happen.

I guess if the snake crushes the baby, they'll have a bizaare photo to remeber their child by.

scared / dont know much about snakes.... chillax....

DRU842 · 30-05-2010, 08:35 AM

If she grows up to be a lesbian, will she be able to sue? ;)

FreddyDUZ747 · 30-05-2010, 08:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DRU842

If she grows up to be a lesbian, will she be able to sue? ;)

With Kevin Rudd anythings possible yeah?

prydey · 30-05-2010, 02:37 PM

i'm sure steve irwin thought everything was fine right before the sting ray stabbed him in the heart.

sometimes it doesn't matter how much you think you know the situation, things can and do happen.

having said that, i'm not sure it deserved the news coverage that it got. must've been a slow news day!

**buggerlugs** · 30-05-2010, 04:58 PM

Can someone please tell me how many babies have been killed or injured by a Python in Australia at a controlled event ?

BadMax · 30-05-2010, 05:01 PM

so what is in fact more dangerous; Sitting a four month old with a snake, strapping a four month old into a car or crossing the road with a four month old in a pusher...

Rodp · 30-05-2010, 07:46 PM

Seems to me it's more dangerous driving with your child in the backseat of your car than this photo op was. We've gotten so soft in this society that this even counts as news?

b2tf · 30-05-2010, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DRU842

If she grows up to be a lesbian, will she be able to sue? ;)

Oh please.

J.C. · 30-05-2010, 08:05 PM

Probably nothing wrong with it. Probably is. Not going to pass serious judgement.

I for one wouldn't do it. The way I see it, why take that chance? It could leave a nasty bite. It may never do anything at all. You cannot control or predict what a snake is going to do it this situation as it is free to do as it wants and the child knows no different as it hasn't got a clue what a snake is yet and has no fear of it.
Anything that crawls or walks with its guts draggin' on the ground I try and keep at a healthy distance from me. They are unpredictable, cunning and opportunists.
Just my thoughts only. Do as you please........

XAGSV8 · 30-05-2010, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by uranium_death

I am not sure if it's bad 'parenting' so to speak...I just think it's dangerous.

Agreed.

I would not put my child in any risk for a photo. Animals can be unpredictable at times. Imagine it was not a snake in the photo but the Tigers at Australia zoo. They all have professional keepers but things have gone wrong in the past. That is their life and baby though and I hope they cherish the photo.

Zed7fiddy · 30-05-2010, 11:51 PM

I used to work there, this is done daily.... no incidents as yet....

and RE: the tiger thing there is a age limit on those experiences so thats not a issue, as lugs said, you dont see the handlers there either side, and this is a pretty tame snake, it wouldnt be used for these photos if it was "volatile"

Maybe this thread shoudl be in the nanny state thread?

**buggerlugs** · 31-05-2010, 06:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rodp

Seems to me it's more dangerous driving with your child in the backseat of your car than this photo op was. We've gotten so soft in this society that this even counts as news?

Spot on Rod...............

The Yeti · 31-05-2010, 06:38 AM

not my taste but I dont see it any differnt to the squillions of baby photos taken each year with the famlly dog

xr6turbo2005 · 31-05-2010, 07:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XAGSV8

Agreed.

I would not put my child in any risk for a photo. Animals can be unpredictable at times. Imagine it was not a snake in the photo but the Tigers at Australia zoo. They all have professional keepers but things have gone wrong in the past. That is their life and baby though and I hope they cherish the photo.

agreed + 2.

look at how big an issue was made out of jacko holding his kid over a balcony.

yeah sure he could have dropped the baby, but no say the snake wont suddenly move and squeeze the baby.

as the saying goes - "all good fun until someone losses and eye"

pottery beige · 31-05-2010, 08:23 AM

its a well known fact big snakes would rather eat kittens than small children.......

**Bluepower** · 31-05-2010, 08:33 AM

Idiots. proves people should require a license to be a parent.

There are too many stories in the past about "when animals attack", these things despite best human efforts can revert to type at any time.

Their idea of protecting their baby must be somewhat convoluted compared to mine, Im tipping there is a cannabis stash in the house somewhere.

J.C. · 31-05-2010, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bluepower

Im tipping there is a cannabis stash in the house somewhere.

Lets hope the snake doesn't get the munchies then.

MAD · 31-05-2010, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 67-FKD

Maybe this thread shoudl be in the nanny state thread?

Too right!
Too many people are trying to wrap everything in cotton wool.

Better not get a cat for fear it might scratch the baby, better not get a dog for fear it might bite the baby, better not get a parrot/budgie/etc for fear it might bite the baby, better not take the baby for a walk in the park in case a suicide bomber decides to detonate, better go to a restaurant for the same reason, better not drive to the shops with the baby in the back seat cause a 'hoon' might do a burnout into the car.

Obviously I could go on, but I think the point is clear.

It's up to the parent to decide what he/she believes is dangerous, if you think its dangerous then dont do it, but dont pass judgement on what someone else does because you might be doing something that they think is dangerous.

3vXT · 31-05-2010, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MAD

It's up to the parent to decide what he/she believes is dangerous, if you think its dangerous then dont do it, but dont pass judgement on what someone else does because you might be doing something that they think is dangerous.

The problem with that is some people, on both sides of the argument, are unable to make intelligent decisions about these things. Are you really saying though, that no one should judge peoples actions in this area?

Forget about the snake picture, there are worse risks parents can place their children in, should we ignore those too? I don't really care about the snake picture (i wouldn't do it myself but its not the worse i've seen) but the idea that parents always know whats best for their children comes from ignorance about what really goes on in some cases.

Why is it that people are ready to torture and hang a car thief one week, and then unwilling to consider that a person might place their child in a dangerous situation the next?

I'm beginning to think clark griswold was right when he said "your all ****** in the head!"

MAD · 31-05-2010, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ken2903

The problem with that is some people, on both sides of the argument, are unable to make intelligent decisions about these things. Are you really saying though, that no one should judge peoples actions in this area?

Forget about the snake picture, there are worse risks parents can place their children in, should we ignore those too? I don't really care about the snake picture (i wouldn't do it myself but its not the worse i've seen) but the idea that parents always know whats best for their children comes from ignorance about what really goes on in some cases.

Why is it that people are ready to torture and hang a car thief one week, and then unwilling to consider that a person might place their child in a dangerous situation the next?

I'm beginning to think clark griswold was right when he said "your all ****** in the head!"

There are a ton of 'risks' that children, or adults, can be exposed to... some more stupid than others. Common sense is the ONLY thing that will remove the most idiotic endangerment.

Swimming at the beach could result in a shark attack...
Should my wife sue the government if I were to die in combat for my country?

Where do you draw the line? Who decides what is acceptable risk?

RedHotGT · 31-05-2010, 11:51 AM

Every day you get out of bed - there is a Risk that you're not going to be alive by days end...

We all take acceptable risks every day.... To me - this photo shoot is a calculated risk... taken by someone who is clearly familiar with the animal... and basically would be no different as previously mentioned reference to the family dog...

Every single person on this forum takes a risk regarding our passion and hobby... fatal car accidents are reported and happen every day... but you will never stop driving your car... right?

My guess would have been its a slow news day... nothing like a pretty little girl with a bow and a python to squeeze a reaction (terrible pun - but I had to...)

Nanny state?? Nanny society.... probably more accurate...

RedHotGT · 31-05-2010, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MAD

Who decides what is acceptable risk?

This is the great thing about being a human...

I get to make the decisions that relate to me

3vXT · 31-05-2010, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MAD

Where do you draw the line? Who decides what is acceptable risk?

I don't know but the 'no one has the right to judge anyone' idea doesn't work. If everyone ignored this type of thing (again i'm talking generally, i don't care about the snake) then the government would decide what is acceptable and people would be jumping up and down about that too.

We should, and do for the most part, judge each other. If we don't, someone else will and we won't be happy about that no matter how fair or unfair the result is.