Snakebusters come calling - The Star

By ROSHIDI ABU SAMAH
roshidi@thestar.com.my
Photos by SAIFUL BAHRI



Out of hiding place: Ho watches as an animal keeper hold a baby snake found underneath plywood in the village.

LOST World of Tambun has gone to the aid of Kampung MBI villagers in Buntong, Ipoh, who have been living in fear of snakes slithering near their homes for years.

The theme park dispatched its team of snake handlers to the village and they caught two snakes within two hours — a common cobra and another of an unidentified species near the house of the late R. Arumugam.

Arumugam, 42, died last month about a week after being bitten by what was believed to be a king cobra when he went to feed the family’s dog.

Headed by the theme park’s general manager Calvin Ho, the team caught the metre-long common cobra at a chicken coop near Arumugam’s home.

The smaller snake was caught a few metres away from the spot where Arumugam was bitten.

It was not easy to catch the cobra as it fought hard to resist its captors.

It took the combined effort of four men to do the job.

Ho said both reptiles would be placed at the theme park’s Petting Zoo for public viewing.

Earlier, the team conducted a briefing for villagers on snake safety awareness.

The snake-catching exercise, said Ho, was part of the company’s corporate social responsibility.

“We at the Lost World Of Tambun were touched by the plight of the villagers after coming across a report of their problem in The Star.

“As we have the experience, ability and knowledge about snakes, we felt we should share vital information with them,” he said.

Educational talk: Tayalan giving safety tips to the villagers.

The theme park’s educational programme officer R. Tayalan said in his briefing that people bitten by snakes should remain calm.

“Try to identify the type of snake that bit you so that proper medication can be administered,” he said.

“Also try to minimise your movement to prevent the poison from circulating faster in your bloodstream.

“Then tie a shoelace or rope about seven to 10cm from the bite area but don’t tie it too tightly,” he said.

Tayalan added that the victim must seek treatment at the nearest clinic or hospital after that.

He further reminded the residents not to attempt sucking out the poison with their mouth.

“It is not safe, especially for those suffering from bleeding gums, ulcers or gastric problems.

“The poison can enter the bloodstream through these open wounds in the mouth,” he added.

Perak Wildlife and National Parks Department senior ranger Hamdan Tak, who was present, said snakes do not usually attack humans unless they were provoked or frightened.

“Although snakes pose harm to humans, please be reminded that snakes are protected under the law,” he said.

“Those who come across snakes should contact our office so that we can capture them,” he added.

He, however, noted that most people sought the help of the Fire and Rescue Department instead of the Wildlife Department, which should not be the case.

“Call us at 05-2436645 during office hours if you need assistance to catch snakes or any other wildlife,” he added.

Watching the team of snake handlers searching for snakes around her home yesterday, Arumugam’s wife A. Palanimal said there were more snakes lurking in the area.

The 38-year-old housewife, who has sought refuge at a neighbour’s house, said she had no plans to move back to her home as she was scared of the reptiles.

“I have a three-year-old daughter Kalaivani, and her safety is my main concern.

“My daughter is afraid of the snakes and refuses to go home,” she said.