Australia’s outback is full of secrets—some beautiful, some bizarre, and some downright bone-chilling. And recently, one such secret was unearthed by a local bushwalker who stumbled upon what appeared to be an old, forgotten well hidden in the scrub.
The well, believed to date back to the 1800s gold rush era, had long since lost its cover and had become a hidden hazard in the bushland. Over time, it had turned into a deadly pit for unsuspecting wildlife. Kangaroos, lizards, and snakes had all fallen victim to its steep, slippery edges.
At the bottom lay a grim tableau: bones scattered among broken bricks and twisted metal—the remains of animals that had met their end in this forgotten pit.
Yet the danger wasn’t just historical. The well still teemed with life—venomous snakes and hardy lizards had made it their home. Among them were two eastern brown snakes, shingleback lizards, and a goanna, all trapped in its depths.
This prompted a call to Manfred Zabinskas, veteran wildlife rescuer and founder of Five Freedoms Animal Rescue, who was tasked with the delicate operation of extracting the living from among the dead.
The journey to the well’s edge was deceptively simple—a mere 30-metre trek across a dry paddock. However, the descent into the well was fraught with danger. The access point was steep, the surrounding grass slick with dew, creating a perilous slide into the abyss below. Zabinskas, equipped with specialised gear and a wealth of experience, donned his harness and carefully abseiled down the ladder into the unknown.
What he encountered was a scene of decay and death. Two bodies were in the throes of decomposition, their presence marked by an overwhelming stench. Amidst the rot, Zabinskas conducted a thorough search, ensuring no creature was hidden beneath the carcasses. His efforts revealed an assortment of dried-out bones, enough to suggest a third lost life.
For two hours, Zabinskas laboured, moving heavy debris in search of the reptiles reported by the bushwalker. His determination uncovered two legless lizards and a shingleback lizard, but the most dangerous find was yet to come. Hidden between two bricks, the scales of an eastern brown snake—one of the world’s most venomous—glimmered ominously.
With the reptiles secured in bags, Zabinskas turned his attention to a sand goanna, emaciated and agitated, in desperate need of rescue. ‘I love rescuing all animals, but I’m very fond of reptiles,’ Zabinskas said, driven by a passion to save these often-misunderstood creatures.
Despite the well’s evident danger to wildlife, Zabinskas opposed the idea of filling it in, citing its historical significance. ‘It’s ancient, and it was made beautifully,’ he remarked, advocating for preservation over destruction. His suggestion? To make the well safe by fencing it off and placing a protective cover over it, thus honouring its cultural heritage while preventing future tragedies.
As of the latest reports, the rescued reptiles are recuperating under the care of Reptiles Victoria. Meanwhile, Wildlife Victoria is exploring solutions to secure the well. The public is advised to steer clear of the area, especially since one of the eastern brown snakes remains unaccounted for. With winter’s approach and the reptile’s impending brumation—a dormancy similar to hibernation—the debate continues on whether to extract the snake or wait until spring when it will emerge in search of sustenance.
This shocking discovery serves as a stark reminder of the delicate balance between preserving our past and protecting the living creatures that share our landscapes. In the quiet town of Bet Bet, 180km northwest of Melbourne, the echoes of an ancient well’s history now mingle with the calls of the wild—a haunting symbol of the outback’s untamed and unpredictable nature.
Have you ever come across something unexpected while exploring the Australian bush? Do you think historical sites like this should be preserved or prioritised for safety? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
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