CYPRUS MAIL (Nicosia) 26 September 09 Don’t kill the snake – call us (Bejay Browne)
Animal conservationists have urged citizens not to take matters into their own hands after a large blunt-nosed viper was killed in a field in the Paphos village of Yiolou.
The snake measured 1.5m in length and weighed in at 4kg. Local man Christakkis Alkiviades said the snake had been difficult to destroy and added that it had many black patches on its skin, and this indicated it must have been old.
He added that the snake had caused so many problems for the owner of the adjacent field where the creature was destroyed, that he had been forced to sell his land.
But David Roach, who worked alongside Paphos reptile expert Snake George underlined the importance of snakes to the ecosystem in Cyprus.
“Without snakes Cyprus would be over-run with rats and mice – no matter how many cats we have here. I doubt a snake could terrorise a village, I just think people are scared of snakes and vipers in particular.”
Roach advises to stand still and let the snake pass by.
“The snakes are far more afraid of you than you are of them. The only time you may get bitten is if you stand on one, or if you corner one.”
According to Roach all of the cases of reported bites from a blunt-nosed viper in Cyprus have been in these circumstances.
“They won’t attack you,” he assured.
He added, “Vipers are attracted by three things; a good water source, as they drink a lot of water, a hiding place and a food source. If you take one of these factors away, you won’t have any vipers.”
Blunt nosed vipers are the only snakes not to be protected in Cyprus, but Roach urged pole not to kill them.
“If you need a snake removing, George will come and get it. He releases them back into the wild far away from inhabited areas.”
- If you require any information or help regarding snakes or reptiles call snake George on 99-987685
Don’t kill the snake – call us