The Oenpelli Python Nyctophilopython oenpelliensis from western Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory of Australia, was first described in 1977. In recent years this elusive and relatively unknown species was feared to be facing extinction due to its apparent low numbers and threats including the spread of the cane toad into its habitat. 

In the early 2000's, Dr Gavin Bedford (herpetologist, conservationist & wildlife park manager) and Greg Miles (conservationist & former park manager from Kakadu National Park) devised a plan to establish this species in captivity to ensure its ongoing survival. The plan involved collecting a small number of founder animals from the wild, establishing captive breeding programs and then returning the foundation group back to their original home in the wild. Believing private keepers can contribute in an important way to conserving threatened species, the plan included using private individuals in the captive breeding program as a way of establishing numbers. 

In 2011, the conservation plan for this species was approved by the Northern Land Council, Northern Territory Parks and Wildlife and the Traditional Land Owners.

By 2014, after many trips into remote areas of Arnhem Land, the foundation group was established. On January 30th, 2015 the first captive bred Oenpelli Python hatched as part of this program. Oenpelli Pythons have now been successfully bred several times in captivity by this foundation group and offspring have been sold to wildlife parks and private keepers with a portion of the funds raised going back to the traditional land owners.

At the time of writing, it is possible for private individuals in the Northern Territory, Queensland and South Australia to participate in this community conservation program through their respective government wildlife departments. This petition is to support individuals from Victoria and New South Wales to also participate in the conservation plan and request approval from the relevant wildlife departments and state governments to do so.

This will ensure the long-term conservation of the Oenpelli Python.