Not an average Monday morning at PCH – the story of an abandoned Tarantula

Earlier this week, James, a Neighbourhood Ranger in our Environmental Services team discovered an abandoned damaged terrarium and Tarantula in the stairwell of a block of flats.

The Ranger immediately contacted Ryan, an Environmental Services Team Leader who headed straight to the block to support James and make sure the unclaimed broken terrarium which was left by a tenant was secured and the Tarantula was safely transported to a local veterinary practice.

Upon his arrival, they carefully checked the spider for movement and covered a hole with hazard tape to ensure it remained in the terrarium and plugged it in to attempt to keep it warm. It was secured safely in Ryan’s van, where they took it to Plymouth Veterinary Hospital following research that they had facilities to support exotic pets.

Our Environmental Services team provides a wide range of essential services across our neighbourhoods, from caretaking and fly-tipping removal to grass cutting and tree works, you'll often see a friendly Ranger or Chargehand out on our sites, particularly where we have blocks of flats.

The team often have to clear homes when residents move out and leave belongings behind to make sure they are returned to a lettable standard, ready for the next resident to move in. Sometimes sadly pets are left behind in amongst other items, and the team have to reach out to local services and charities and make sure they are taken to safety.

Any waste items that are picked up are taken to our Re-use Centre to reduce the waste going to landfill. Items are recycled or restored and repurposed, with items in good condition able to be requested by residents who are facing hardship via their Housing Officer, and these items are provided free of charge.

Ryan Winsor, Environmental Services Team Leader, said: “Finding an abandoned Tarantula was certainly not how we expected to start the week, and is a great reminder that no two days are ever the same in Environmental Services.

“When we got to the veterinary hospital, they were just as surprised and intrigued as we were to receive such an unexpected visitor on a bright Monday morning and we are really grateful for their help.

“This is the first time I’ve ever come across a Tarantula while working at PCH, but in my role I have had to escort Swans back to the harbour from Basket Ope on the Barbican after they got caught in the courtyard of one of our blocks, and my colleague was also called by a Ranger after finding a snake.

“What I love about my job is that my day to day tasks can vary, and you can plan your day but something may happen to throw it into a completely different direction, from diverting traffic due to car fires and leading swans to water, while also trying to ensure that the normal aspects of the job are covered. I really enjoy the challenges that the role of Team Leader brings, and the need to be consistently ready should one of the team need supporting with something of this nature.”

Thank you to James and Ryan for your dedication for this animal and for truly living the PCH values.

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