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THE STATE (Columbia, S Carolina) 14 January 04 Foe Fights Rattlesnake Roundup in Georgia
Adel, Ga. (AP): It's cold-blooded and lives a dark, lonely life, but now the Georgia rattlesnake has a friend.
Herpetologist Chet Powell hopes to convince sponsors of one of Georgia's last two rattlesnake roundups that they can have a successful community fund-raiser without pulling snakes out of the wild.
Powell will give an educational presentation on captive snakes native to Georgia, including the Eastern diamondback rattler, and exotic snakes, such as pythons, at the 44th annual Rattlesnake Roundup in the small southwestern Georgia town of Whigham on Jan. 31.
Rattlesnake roundups face increasing criticism from animal rights groups that contend the snake hunts are environmentally damaging and cruel, especially if the snakes are roused from their burrows with gasoline fumes. The captured snakes are killed for their hides and meat.
Eastern diamondbacks are among about 300 species, including endangered indigo snakes, rabbits, skunks and frogs, that live in burrows made by Georgia's state reptile, the gopher tortoise.
Georgia used to have three similar events, but the town of Fitzgerald switched in 2000 to a Chicken Festival, honoring the wild Burmese fowl that have found a home in that community.
Foe Fights Rattlesnake Roundup in Georgia

This herpetologist has my support 100%. Rattlesnake roundups are one of the most barbaric examples of needlessly killing animals. It ranks right up there with the baby seal slaughter. Anything I can do to help in any way, just let me know.

A fellow herpetologist