'Python Hunter' Shawn Heflick Visiting Elmwood Park Zoo

By Tim Zatziriny Jr.

The man who fears no snake, Shawn Heflick, will stop by Elmwood Park Zoo in Norristown on Sunday to talk about his 30 years of conservation work, his many run-ins with exotic species, and his slithering reality show. 

Heflick is a co-star of National Geographic Channel's Python Hunters, which follows Heflick and his counterparts as they rescue reptiles that have invaded human habitats. The show primarily films in the Florida Everglades, however recent colder winters have sent the hunters to new locations, including Australia, Thailand, Costa Rica and Peru, according to a release from the zoo. 

Heflick’s presentation will feature photos and stories from his adventures, as well as select animals from the zoo’s collection. Following his presentation, Heflick will conduct a Q&A session and sign autographs. The all-ages event begins at 5 p.m. in the zoo’s Canopy Gardens Hall.

If you go 

Tickets for the event are $15. Elmwood Park Zoo members can purchase tickets for $12. Children ages 2 and under are admitted free. Tickets are available online at www.elmwoodparkzoo.org/event/27, or by calling 610-277-3825, ext. 241.

Sunday’s event is the third in the zoo's Conservation Speaker Series. The zoo introduced the series this summer; it has featured a range of presentations by experts directly involved in wildlife conservation efforts.