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Home / Lifestyle

'Outback wrangler' Matt Wright helps his toddler with massive olive python

By Natalie Wolfe
news.com.au·
7 Oct, 2021 12:29 AM3 mins to read

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The little fella had a strong grip. Photo / Matt Wright

The little fella had a strong grip. Photo / Matt Wright

It's a scene you'd probably only see Downunder – a 2-year-old boy wrestling with a two-metre python as his dad stands by and encourages him.

Matt Wright, who runs the Top End Safari camp in Australia's Northern Territory, posted a video of his 2-year-old son Banjo grappling with an olive python's tail, one of the largest snakes in Australia.

Wright, who also hosts the wildly popular National Geographic show Outback Wrangler, captioned the video of his burgeoning wildlife warrior "learning the ropes".

In the video, Banjo, dressed in his outback khakis, can be seen desperately trying to pull the olive python away from the family's property.

"Pull him out buddy, pull him out," Wright said, as Banjo holds onto the snake's tail.

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"Oh no, he's wrapped up, here I'll help you," he added, as the python wraps himself around the pole and heads towards Wright's feet.

Wright then lightly moves the python away from the pole, telling Banjo to pull the snake back towards the bushes.

When the snake refuses to be pulled back, Banjo drops the tail and yells, "Oh no, oh no" before running back to his dad.

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Wright continues to encourage his son, grabbing Banjo when the toddler almost puts himself in a compromising position.

"Watch out, he'll bite ya," Wright said.

"What are we gonna do? Go back and grab the tail. There you go, grab the tail. Two hands! Two hands!"

Banjo wrangles a python. Photo / Matt Wright
Banjo wrangles a python. Photo / Matt Wright

Banjo appears to lose interest in taking the snake back to the bushes, with Wright trying to encourage his son again.

"Quick, grab him, he's going to bite Dad," Wright jokes.

The video was praised by plenty, with many comparing Wright's relationship with Banjo to the late Steve Irwin's relationship with Bindi.

Bindi, who now runs Australia Zoo with her brother Robert and mum Terri, was often taken out on wildlife expeditions with her dad, even when she was a toddler.

Australian racing driver David Reynolds praised Banjo for his bravery.

"Banjo! What a legend," he wrote.

Radio host Fitzy also commented.

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"Love this, miss you guys," he wrote.

However, the wild clip wasn't received as well by some.

"Normally I love your videos but I'm not a fan of this behaviour. No need to stress the animal just for an Instagram video," one wrote.

"In America they would call child services lol," another added.

"Next week: kid playing in backyard on their own sees a red belly black, runs over and grabs it on the tail. Kid bitten. This child is not old enough to make an accurate assessments on what snakes are safe and what are not. Heck most adults can't," a third said.

The Wright family is regularly adventuring across the Northern Territory, using their helicopter to explore untouched parts of Australia.

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Banjo is also a budding adventurer and appears to have developed the same affinity for animals as his dad.

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