Hong Kong’s snake-loving netizens can claim a small victory this week after confirmation that a snake catcher, caught on video being rather heavy handed with a slippery Lamma Island resident, has been reported to the police. Outraged was sparked online after a video of a Burmese Python being trapped under a metal bin was posted to the Facebook Group Lamma Snake Sightings.
In the short clip, the catcher in question is seen putting his full weight on top of the upturned metal rubbish bin while the snake’s head and tail remain outside the rim. Assisting police officers hold the snake’s head with a metal claw, before the handler finally wrestles the reptile into a sack while keeping his foot on the creature’s neck. When the sack is secured at the end of the video, there is little movement coming from inside.
The initial Facebook post, made by Ziaudeen Mahmood on Aug. 7, attracted more than 108 comments, mainly from Hong Kong residents outraged by what they described as the “torture” of the Burmese python, Hong Kong’s largest predator and a species protected under the Wild Animals Protection Ordinance.
Daniel-John Housley commented: “I hate roaches and rats, snakes have an important part to play in our village ecosystem, pythons aren’t even dangerous”, while Gaetano ‘Guy’ De Bedin said, “These animals were here before you and I, they have been on Lamma much longer than you and I. Every dog running feral and off the leash is more damaging.”
One Facebook user, Andy Rio Felders, ventured: “That snake could choke out a kid if it slivered through an open window,” before receiving barrage of abuse for his “ignorant” and “uneducated” comment.
After agreeing to complain to both the police and Hong Kong Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD), the group received confirmation that the snake had been transferred to Kadoorie Farm and Botanical Garden, where it is said to be in good health. The AFCD also confirmed they had asked the police to give the case their consideration.
Photo: Screenshot from Facebook video
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