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Tuesday February 26, 2013

Malacca government mulls ‘charming’ away snake nuisance

By R.S.N.MURALI
murali@thestar.com.my


MALACCA: The state government is looking to rope in the services of snake charmers to capture and relocate King Cobras that have been terrifying residents in Gapam, Ayer Keroh, here.

State Housing, Local Government and Environment committee chairman Datuk Yunos Husin said besides relocating the reptiles to unpopulated areas or jungles, snake charmers could also help identify the location of their nests.

“We have to seriously look into reports of these snakes, especially with Malacca Tourism Association president (Madelina Kuah) raising her concerns over the reptiles.”

A meeting, added Yunos, would be held with the state Wildlife and National Park Department and Hang Tuah Jaya Municipal Council president Sapiah Haron to work out the details in hiring the snake charmers.

It was reported yesterday that cobras had been spotted in several areas in the housing estate.

Kuah claimed a snake entered her home at about 3.30am three days ago.

Some were even forced to celebrate Chap Goh Meh on Sunday either holed up inside their houses or away from home due to the snakes.

Ayer Keroh state assemblyman Khoo Poay Tiong had previously said cobras of the Naja Sumtrana species inhibited the secondary jungles edging Ayer Keroh.

Naja Sumtrana or Malayan spitting cobra is highly venomous but its population in the country is very small and the species is under threat of going extinct.

The cobras are usually either bluish black, medium or dark brown and can reach about 1.5m in length.

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