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Conservation
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by shawnfraser on November 10, 2006
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After reading Chris Harper's article on his trip to Sri Lanka, I realized that my approach to conservation was a bit naive. In the U.S. and Canada it is easy (and realistic) to tell people to leave any snake that they find alone, and everything will be fine. Lethal bites from snakes are rare and easily avoidable here.
In some areas of the world, snakebite is a real threat. One author (Mattison?) described snakes as "living land mines".
My question is: what is a reasonable approach to snake conservation in counties where they pose a significant threat to public health?
Shawn
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RE: Conservation
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by GREGLONGHURST on November 11, 2006
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One might consider starting by teaching them how to dispatch one without getting themselves bitten. That would include info about the snake's striking range & general demeanor.
I say you may want to begin that way because here in the States, a helluva lot of people are bitten in the pfocess of trying to kill a snake, which is one reason for asking that they just be left alone.
~~Greg~~
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RE: Conservation
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by rickyduckworth on November 11, 2006
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a general knowledge doesn't hurt, and common sense comes in handy, but those are two rare things in this part of the world.
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RE: Conservation
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by SwampY on November 11, 2006
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I've been slammed for this response before but I'll say it again, ... a propaganda campaign about how nice it is to sleep on a cot up off the ground would help a LOT.
Chad
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RE: Conservation
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by MoccasinMan on November 11, 2006
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John is right. I lived in India for 3 years. Most people are bitten on the foot while working in the fields or walking at nite... as oposed to here where most people are bitten on the hand while attempting to kill or handle the animal. Did I mention that most peolpe who are bitten here also have alcohal in their system?
Andrew
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RE: Conservation
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by GREGLONGHURST on November 11, 2006
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Getting them to live in structures that can not be easily entered by snakes would help as well, but economics is probably a major factor there as well as with the shoes. A hammock or a cot seem like they might be affordable, but maybe not.
~~Greg~~
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RE: Conservation
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by Cro on November 11, 2006
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Anyone here who has watched kids grow up knows they go through about a zillion pairs of shoes. A lot of these shoes are thrown out. It would be good if they could be collected and shipped to the third world. The thing would be setting up some kind of donation structure to collect them and ship them. I myself have four or five pairs of shoes I could donate, if there are folks in India who wear size 13 Wide, LOL.
Best Regards JohnZ
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RE: Conservation
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by shawnfraser on November 12, 2006
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The reference to venomous snakes as 'living land mines' I mentioned above is from Philippe de Vosjoli in "The Art of Keeping Snakes" (The Herpetocultural Library,2004). Chris Harper's info I mentioned is in the Photo Album on this site. See also Anslem de Silva's paper "Snakebite in Sri Lanka" in the Articles section.
I believe that human life and snakebite prevention should be the first priority in countries where human fatalities from venomous snakes are a major concern. Educating locals to recognize harmless species and leave them alone would probably help by increasing competition and possibly reducing the number of dangerous snakes around areas frequented by humans.
There must be effective ways to reduce snakebite as well as conserve venomous snakes, but what are reasonable plans to do this?
Shawn
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