This is the massive Mexican , red rump tarantula discovered wandering around a football pitch in Maesteg , South Wales by a concerned member of the public . Bridgend council , which is now trying to track down the tarantula 's owner , was alerted after the spider - which is not generally harmful to humans - was spotted by a passer-by at local Garth Park ball court . Local authority worker Dave Edwards scooped the arachnid up into a black bag before calling wildlife expert and TV personality Dr Rhys Jones , from Cardiff University , for advice . Dr Rhys Jones , from Cardiff University , best known as the star of the BBC One Wales series Rhys Jones 's Wildlife Patrol holds the lost tarantula , showing how safe it is . Dr Jones , best known as the star of the BBC One series Rhys Jones 's Wildlife Patrol , said : 'It is unlikely that the spider would have travelled from distance , given the cold spring temperatures and the proximity of local houses . 'The surrounding habitat offered little interest or cover for that species of spider , given that it mainly consists of large open fields which are patrolled by many aerial predators , including gulls and crows . 'These birds would have easily spotted this tropical spider and , given half a chance , would have eaten her . 'All things considered , the spider had a very lucky escape before a bird or cat killed it . ' The Mexican red rump , or B. vagans in Latin , was made famous in Jack Arnold 's 1955 sci-fi movie Tarantula , where an ill-advised scientific experiment leads to a giant arachnid breaking out of captivity and terrorizing the Arizona desert . Luckily for the population of Bridgend County Borough , however , the creature is not aggressive , and is currently being looked after by Dr Jones at Cardiff University . 'The red rump tarantula does not present a significant health risk to the general public . In the rare case of the spider biting , the symptoms would be similar to that of a mild bee sting . ' I 'm happy to report that no one was unnecessarily frightened by the appearance of this spider on the loose . 'While the spider is now secure and recovering from its ordeal , anyone with nformation relating to this incident should either contact the local authority or the police on 101 . ' Councillor Phil White , Cabinet Member for Communities , added : 'It 's not every day that you spot an exotic pet such as this outside of its home environment , so we are appealing for the owner to get in touch as soon as possible . Children playing football at Garth Park ball court near where the tarantula was found by a member of the public .
Concerned member of the public reported the creepy-crawly to council . Local authority in Maesteg , South Wales think it escaped from a home . The spider is now in the care of sci-fi movie One wildlife expert Dr Rhys Jones .