(MY) Perlis snake farm - comments on whether this is a good idea please

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Wednesday September 14, 2005 - The Star.

 

Free to slither around

 

AN OPEN space at the Perlis Snake Park will be turned into a sanctuary for

300 cobras and king cobras to roam freely.

 

Park manager Tengku Norriah Tengku Mahamud said the ‘free snake’ zone was

part of a RM6.5mil upgrading plan proposed under the Ninth Malaysia Plan.

 

“We will create a natural habitat for the snakes, complete with high

grounds, huge trees and canals.

 

“But of course, we will fence up the area with netting as we do not want the

snakes to slither around the entire 6.8ha park,” she said when interviewed

at her office in Kangar.

 

She said plans were also in the pipeline to set up a research laboratory to

produce anti-venom medicines.

 

”For research and development purposes, we are tying up with Universiti

Malaya, Universiti Putra Malaysia and two universities in Australia and

Italy,” she said.

 

Perlis Snake Park manager Tengku Norriah Tengku Mahamud has big plans for

the park.

Tengku Norriah said a snake-breeding programme would also be initiated.

 

“The snakes here do lay eggs. But none of the eggs hatched,” she said,

adding that there were 212 snakes from 56 species at the park.

 

The park has also proposed for new fencing with snake motifs.

 

“We also plan to make the landscape more attractive. We plan to prune trees

according to the shape of snakes,” she said, adding that a quarantine area

would also be created to isolate newly arrived and sick snakes.

 

Currently the park is undergoing a RM1mil upgrading work.

 

Renovation and upgrading work began recently and expected to be completed by

Nov 28.

 

“The park is open as usual as the renovation work is being carried out in

phases.

 

“First phase involves renovation of the auditorium. We will have a

theatre-style setting. The stage will be fenced with safety glass.

 

“Next will be the upgrading of the crocodile farm. The drainage system will

also be improved,” she said, adding that four more water tanks would be

installed.

 

She said the multimedia equipment for seminar and educational programmes

would also be up-dated.

 

A handicraft workshop would also be set up.

 

“We will sell souvenirs with snake motifs. I have a collection of snake

souvenirs from all over the world. We can produce our own brand of products.

 

“Those interested can also learn how to make the souvenir items. We can

weave snake replica using ropes or mengkuang leaves,” she said, add-ing that

preserved dead snakes cost between RM500 and RM800 per piece.

 

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