Saturday, July 23, 2011
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
More trouble in store for snake charmers
India's Snake Charmers Work Around Ban 
VARANASI: The forest department is going tough on snake charmers. The department will launch a drive against public display of snakes, like python and cobra, particularly during the Shrawan month.
"Since keeping snakes in captivity and their display in public is prohibited under the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972, it is an illegal activity," said divisional forest officer of social forestry, Varanasi, LR Bairwa. "Such drives are conducted from time to time just to discourage this illegal practice," he told TOI.
He, however, could not specify how many snake charmers had been caught so far. Most of the snake charmers were allowed to go after realising a penalty from them, he said. 
According to him, both python and cobra are listed under endangered species of wildlife. As per the Wildlife Act, no person can hunt any wild animal specified in schedule I, II, III and IV. The Government of India enacted the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972 with the objective of effectively protecting the wild life and put a check on poaching, smuggling and illegal trade in wildlife. The act was amended in 2003 and punishment and penalty for offences under the act had been made more stringent. "Only law cannot discourage this practice, but there is need for public awareness as the profession is also associated with the religious sentiments of people," said Arvind Mishra, a science writer associated with the UP Chapter of Indian Science Writers' Association. 
Public display of snakes is a common scene in most parts of the country. Special occasions like Naag Panchami and Shrawan month witness a number of snake charmers displaying serpents along the streets and other places. In Hindu mythology, snakes find a respected status. Snake charming is an inherited profession. But, it was banned in India in 1991. And, since then, people associated with this trade have been struggling for survival. 
Today, the practice of snake charming in danger particularly after banning ownership of serpents. The Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972 originally aimed at preventing the export of snake skins, introducing a seven-year prison term for owning or selling of the creatures. Later, the snake charmers were also brought under its purview. 
"We have left this profession due to the fear of forest department," said an elderly snake charmer, Mewa Lal, a resident of Nat Basti in Newada area. About 20 families of snake charmers dwell in this locality. But, today, they are out of job and forced to work as daily wagers or earn livelihood through begging. "Snake charming is our traditional profession. But, for the past one year, we have left this profession," said Mewalal, a father of eight children. Nowadays, he begs on the ghats to feed his family. His wife Lalti Devi said they were unable to fulfil even the basic needs of their children. "The government has banned our profession, but did nothing for our survival," said another woman, Kewala Devi, adding they were not getting any benefits of the government programmes. Obviously the profession was hardly a profitable one, but their situation worsened after the ban. Almost all dwellers of Nat Basti are living a pathetic life.
VARANASI: The forest department is going tough on snake charmers. The department will launch a drive against public display of snakes, like python and cobra, particularly during the Shrawan month.
"Since keeping snakes in captivity and their display in public is prohibited under the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972, it is an illegal activity," said divisional forest officer of social forestry, Varanasi, LR Bairwa. "Such drives are conducted from time to time just to discourage this illegal practice," he told TOI.
He, however, could not specify how many snake charmers had been caught so far. Most of the snake charmers were allowed to go after realising a penalty from them, he said. 
According to him, both python and cobra are listed under endangered species of wildlife. As per the Wildlife Act, no person can hunt any wild animal specified in schedule I, II, III and IV. The Government of India enacted the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972 with the objective of effectively protecting the wild life and put a check on poaching, smuggling and illegal trade in wildlife. The act was amended in 2003 and punishment and penalty for offences under the act had been made more stringent. "Only law cannot discourage this practice, but there is need for public awareness as the profession is also associated with the religious sentiments of people," said Arvind Mishra, a science writer associated with the UP Chapter of Indian Science Writers' Association. 
Public display of snakes is a common scene in most parts of the country. Special occasions like Naag Panchami and Shrawan month witness a number of snake charmers displaying serpents along the streets and other places. In Hindu mythology, snakes find a respected status. Snake charming is an inherited profession. But, it was banned in India in 1991. And, since then, people associated with this trade have been struggling for survival. 
Today, the practice of snake charming in danger particularly after banning ownership of serpents. The Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972 originally aimed at preventing the export of snake skins, introducing a seven-year prison term for owning or selling of the creatures. Later, the snake charmers were also brought under its purview. 
"We have left this profession due to the fear of forest department," said an elderly snake charmer, Mewa Lal, a resident of Nat Basti in Newada area. About 20 families of snake charmers dwell in this locality. But, today, they are out of job and forced to work as daily wagers or earn livelihood through begging. "Snake charming is our traditional profession. But, for the past one year, we have left this profession," said Mewalal, a father of eight children. Nowadays, he begs on the ghats to feed his family. His wife Lalti Devi said they were unable to fulfil even the basic needs of their children. "The government has banned our profession, but did nothing for our survival," said another woman, Kewala Devi, adding they were not getting any benefits of the government programmes. Obviously the profession was hardly a profitable one, but their situation worsened after the ban. Almost all dwellers of Nat Basti are living a pathetic life.
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Eastwood king cobra snake sanctuary a 'safety net'
Eastwood king cobra snake sanctuary a 'safety net'
AdvertisementBehind his Nottinghamshire house Luke Yeomans keeps 24 king cobras
A Nottinghamshire man is keeping a collection of 20 adult and four juvenile king cobras in a compound behind his house in the former mining village of Eastwood.
"I am maintaining this breeding colony of king cobras as a safety net - to protect the species from possible extinction," said snake-breeder Luke Yeomans.
"Until mankind changes the way he treats the natural world, a living ark is required for the survival of many animal species."
It is the only such breeding colony in Europe, according to Mr Yeomans.
The 47-year-old started the project in 2008, in reaction to the depletion of the snake's natural habitat in the forests of south-east Asia and India.
He plans to breed another 100 snakes by the end of 2011.
Mr Yeomans said he was opening the King Cobra Sanctuary to the public on 2 July to educate people about the world's longest venomous snake.
Cannibalistic snakes
The snake expert said he had always been obsessed with snakes, catching his first adder at the age of seven and sharing his bedroom with a collection of gaboon vipers and Indian cobras in his teens.
At the age of 16 he opened his first pet shop, specialising in snakes and other reptiles.
Two years on he started to breed his own.
"I was very unhappy with some of the imported snakes as they were dehydrated and covered in parasites.
"Back in the early 1980s, breeding snakes was a rare event but there was a handful of enthusiasts in the UK and USA making headway and we shared what we learnt."
He said the current programme's success was largely down to the way he introduced the female to the male.
Continue reading the main story
The king cobra
King cobras are the longest of all the venomous snakes
The venom from a single bite of a king cobra is strong enough to kill an elephant
The snake is cannibalistic
When threatened the king cobra raises itself up, growls and extend its hood
It is the only snake with facial expression and it is the only snake with vocal chords
The snake is one of the most dangerous in Asia
"King cobras are cannibalistic snakes. To get a pair together without cannibalism is difficult. You need to get the female in with the male without her showing signs of aggression."
Mr Yeomans' fascination for the king cobra came from studying it in its natural environment, working with herpetologist and wildlife conservationist Rom Whitaker.
Mr Whitaker founded of the Agumbe Rainforest Research Station in India in 2005, a centre dedicated to the conservation of the snake and its habitat.
The king cobra is one of the most dangerous snakes to inhabit the forests of Asia and is reputed to be able to kill an elephant.
Mr Yeomans compared his passion for snakes with other people's obsessions with fast cars.
"People do say that I am mad but I say it's better than people saying you're bad. I think everything I am doing is good," he said.
A King Cobra
A snake breeder has died after being bitten by one of his venomous reptiles.
Police are investigating the death of the man in his 40s in Eastwood, Nottingham, today.
He is believed to be Luke Yeomans, a snake breeder who was due to open the King Cobra Sanctuary breeding colony to the public this weekend.
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Nottinghamshire Police said officers were called at around 2pm to a property in Brookhill Leys Road, near Eastwood, where the man had suffered a suspected heart attack.
It is believed he had received a bite from a venomous snake, a spokeswoman said, and said he was pronounced dead at the scene.
She said the snake has been contained and there is no danger to the public.
"The RSPCA, Health and Safety Executive and Broxtowe Borough Council have been informed of the incident," police said.
"Nottinghamshire Police will investigate the circumstances surrounding the death in conjunction with the appropriate agency and will liaise with the coroner's office."
A spokeswoman for the Health and Safety Executive said they were aware of the incident and were making preliminary inquiries.
The King Cobra Sanctuary, based at Brookhill Leys Farm, offers people the chance to see the king cobras in the breeding colony.
Writing on its website previously, Mr Yeomans said: "The King Cobra Sanctuary was born from my lifelong love for this amazing snake species and my concerns that it could eventually disappear from the wild.
"Until mankind changes the way he treats the natural world, a living 'Ark' is required for the survival of many animal species.
"The King Cobra (Ophiophagus hannah), an end of the line apex predator, is certainly one of them.
"With 30 years experience of the King Cobra, myself and my daughter Nicole - now in our third year of the project, will maintain a breeding colony of this large and dangerous, but also misunderstood venomous snake."
Mr Yeomans recently told the BBC he was keeping the colony of adult and juvenile king cobras in a compound behind his house as a "safety net" to protect the species from possible extinction.
He said he started the project in 2008 in reaction to the depletion of the snake's natural habitat in forests of south-east Asia and India, and planned to breed another 100 snakes by the end of 2011.
He told the BBC: "People do say that I am mad but I say it's better than people saying you're bad.
"I think everything I am doing is good."
king cobra sanctuary , snake death
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
The Moon and the Great Snake
The Moon and the Great Snake
The rain had passed; the moon looked down from a clear sky, and the bushes and dead grass smelled wet, after the heavy storm. A cottontail ran into a clump of wild rose bushes near War Eagle's lodge, and some dogs were close behind the frightened animal, as he gained cover. Little Buffalo Calf threw a stone into the bushes, scaring the rabbit from his hiding place, and away went bunny, followed by the yelping pack. We stood and listened until the noise of the chase died away, and then went into the lodge, where we were greeted, as usual, by War Eagle. Finally he said:
"You have seen many Snakes, I suppose?" "Yes," replied the children, "we have seen a great many. In the summer we see them every day."
"Well," continued the storyteller, "once there was only one Snake on the whole world, and he was a big one, I tell you. He was pretty to look at, and was painted with all the colors we know. This snake was proud of his clothes and had a wicked heart. Most Snakes are wicked, because they are his relations.
"Now, I have not told you all about it yet, nor will I tell you tonight, but the Moon is the Sun's wife, and some day I shall tell you that story, but tonight I am telling you about the Snakes.
"You know that the Sun goes early to bed, and that the Moon most always leaves before he gets to the lodge. Sometimes this is not so, but that is part of another story.
"This big Snake used to crawl up a high hill and watch the Moon in the sky. He was in love with her, and she knew it; but she paid no attention to him. She liked his looks, for his clothes were fine, and he was always slick and smooth. This went on for a long time, but she never talked to him at all. The Snake thought maybe the hill wasn't high enough, so he found a higher one, and watched the Moon pass, from the top. Every night he climbed this high hill and motioned to her. She began to pay more attention to the big Snake, and one morning early, she loafed at her work a little, and spoke to him. He was flattered, and so was she, because he said many nice things to her, but she went on to the Sun's lodge, and left the Snake.
"The next morning very early she saw the Snake again, and this time she stopped a long time - so long that the Sun had started out from the lodge before she reached home. He wondered what kept her so long, and became suspicious of the Snake. He made up his mind to watch, and try to catch them together. So every morning the Sun left the lodge a little earlier than before; and one morning, just as he climbed a mountain, he saw the big Snake talking to the Moon. That made him angry, and you can't blame him, because his wife was spending her time loafing with a Snake.
"She ran away; ran to the Sun's lodge and left the Snake on the hill. In no time the Sun had grabbed him. My, the Sun was angry! The big Snake begged, and promised never to speak to the Moon again, but the Sun had him; and he smashed him into thousands of little pieces, all of different colors from the different parts of his painted body. The little pieces each turned into a little snake, just as you see them now, but they were all too small for the Moon to notice after that. That is how so many Snakes came into the world; and that is why they are all small, nowadays.
The rain had passed; the moon looked down from a clear sky, and the bushes and dead grass smelled wet, after the heavy storm. A cottontail ran into a clump of wild rose bushes near War Eagle's lodge, and some dogs were close behind the frightened animal, as he gained cover. Little Buffalo Calf threw a stone into the bushes, scaring the rabbit from his hiding place, and away went bunny, followed by the yelping pack. We stood and listened until the noise of the chase died away, and then went into the lodge, where we were greeted, as usual, by War Eagle. Finally he said:
"You have seen many Snakes, I suppose?" "Yes," replied the children, "we have seen a great many. In the summer we see them every day."
"Well," continued the storyteller, "once there was only one Snake on the whole world, and he was a big one, I tell you. He was pretty to look at, and was painted with all the colors we know. This snake was proud of his clothes and had a wicked heart. Most Snakes are wicked, because they are his relations.
"Now, I have not told you all about it yet, nor will I tell you tonight, but the Moon is the Sun's wife, and some day I shall tell you that story, but tonight I am telling you about the Snakes.
"You know that the Sun goes early to bed, and that the Moon most always leaves before he gets to the lodge. Sometimes this is not so, but that is part of another story.
"This big Snake used to crawl up a high hill and watch the Moon in the sky. He was in love with her, and she knew it; but she paid no attention to him. She liked his looks, for his clothes were fine, and he was always slick and smooth. This went on for a long time, but she never talked to him at all. The Snake thought maybe the hill wasn't high enough, so he found a higher one, and watched the Moon pass, from the top. Every night he climbed this high hill and motioned to her. She began to pay more attention to the big Snake, and one morning early, she loafed at her work a little, and spoke to him. He was flattered, and so was she, because he said many nice things to her, but she went on to the Sun's lodge, and left the Snake.
"The next morning very early she saw the Snake again, and this time she stopped a long time - so long that the Sun had started out from the lodge before she reached home. He wondered what kept her so long, and became suspicious of the Snake. He made up his mind to watch, and try to catch them together. So every morning the Sun left the lodge a little earlier than before; and one morning, just as he climbed a mountain, he saw the big Snake talking to the Moon. That made him angry, and you can't blame him, because his wife was spending her time loafing with a Snake.
"She ran away; ran to the Sun's lodge and left the Snake on the hill. In no time the Sun had grabbed him. My, the Sun was angry! The big Snake begged, and promised never to speak to the Moon again, but the Sun had him; and he smashed him into thousands of little pieces, all of different colors from the different parts of his painted body. The little pieces each turned into a little snake, just as you see them now, but they were all too small for the Moon to notice after that. That is how so many Snakes came into the world; and that is why they are all small, nowadays.
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Venomous workmates and deadly bites all part of the job
June 27, 2011
Immune ... snake venom supplier Bill Haast. Photo: Getty Images
Bill Haast, 1910-2011.
Bill Haast turned his childhood fascination with snakes into a long career as a roadside showman, a supplier of venom and a man seemingly immune to deadly snake bites.
For decades, Haast ran the Miami Serpentarium tourist attraction in Florida but his main occupation was as a leading producer of venom for use in snakebite serums.
He owned up to 10,000 snakes at a time and had supplies of venom from 200 species of poisonous reptiles from around the world. By the 1990s, he was providing 36,000 samples of venom to pharmaceutical laboratories each year.
Advertisement: Story continues below Snake bites were a constant occupational hazard, leading Haast to adopt an unusual regimen of self-medication. In the 1940s he began to inject himself with diluted amounts of cobra venom, which he gradually increased.
He developed an immunity to most snake bites and became a staunch believer in what he considered the medical benefits of venom. In 1954, he was bitten by a blue krait, one of the most poisonous snakes in the world. ''I had never heard of a krait bite victim ever surviving,'' Haast told the Associated Press in 1996. ''I felt like the skin had been stripped from my body, like every nerve in my teeth was exposed, like my hair was being ripped out of my head.''
But Haast recovered and soon went back to work. The snake died 10 days later.
In time, Haast's venom-enriched blood came to possess healing properties. Transfusions from his blood helped save the lives of more than 20 snake-bite victims around the globe.
William Edward Haast was born December 30, 1910, in New Jersey and captured his first snake when he was seven. He dropped out of high school to be a snake handler in a travelling carnival and, in the 1930s, worked for an Everglades moonshiner. The job gave him ample opportunity to search the swamps for snakes.
He later became an engineer for Pan American Airways and flew all over the world, often bringing back exotic snakes, he said, in his toolbox.
He began his work on the medical properties of venom in 1946 and opened the Miami Serpentarium two years later. Haast put on five shows a day, demonstrating how to extract venom from poisonous snakes.
Pythons, iguanas, large turtles and crocodiles were on display but after a six-year-old boy was killed by a crocodile in 1977, Haast was disconsolate. He closed the attraction in 1984.
Well into old age, he injected himself with a cocktail of venoms from 32 lizards and snakes. ''I could become a poster boy for the benefits of venom,'' he told The Miami Herald in 2006. ''If I live to be 100, I'll really make the point.''
He is survived by his third wife, two daughters, three grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.
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