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THE AGE (Melbourne, Australia) 21 November 05 Snake charmer catches 5.4 metre cobra
Kuala Lumpur (AP): A man caught a rare, 5.4-metre-long poisonous king cobra using just his hands after firefighters and a team of volunteers failed to capture it outside a school in northern Malaysia, a news report says.
Wildlife officials called in snake charmer Mohamad Shaiful Abdul Aziz, 21, nicknamed the "Snake King" by the locals in Penang state, after firefighters spent about an hour trying to capture the cobra hiding among bushes at a rehabilitation centre for juvenile delinquents, the Star newspaper reported today.
Mohamad Shaiful, who performs at snake shows, took 10 minutes and used no nets or other equipment, just his hands.
"I have never come across such a big king cobra," he was quoted as saying.
The snake, which weighed 15kg, was handed over to the wildlife officials, the report said.
A wildlife ranger at a Penang national park declined to comment on the report.
Environmental conservationists have said in the past dwindling habitat and deforestation in Malaysia could force wild animals to venture into areas populated by humans.
About two months ago, a 5-metre-long king cobra was discovered draped around a statue at a Hindu temple in a Kuala Lumpur suburb.
The spectacle drew thousands of believers and onlookers bearing offerings of milk, eggs and cash, who considered the appearance as sacred and extraordinary. The king cobra is depicted as powerful in Hindu scriptures and is revered by believers.
The king cobra is the world's longest venomous snake, growing up to 5.5 metres in length.
Snake charmer catches 5.4 metre cobra

THE STAR (Petaling Jaya, Malaysia) 22 November 05 King Cobra gets a home (Nik Khusairi Ibrahim)
Photo at URL: All In A Day’s Work: Mohd Shaiful showing off his skills in cobra handling in Penang Monday.
Fire and Rescue Department personnel had to summon “snake king” Mohd Shaiful Abdul Aziz, 21, to subdue the king cobra after they spent more than an hour trying to catch it.
Penang: The 5.4m-long king cobra found in a centre for juvenile delinquents in Paya Terubong, believed to be the longest of its kind caught in the country, will be sent to the Malacca Zoo.
State National Parks and Wildlife Department director Hasnan Yusop said the snake was bound to be a top attraction at the zoo.
He said the king cobra was being temporarily kept at a secret location as the authorities did not want the area to be swarmed by people.
Mohd Shaiful managed to catch it in 10 minutes.
The snake was found among bushes at the centre on Saturday night.
“It is not unusual to find king cobras in this area. This place offers a suitable habitat for the snake because of the swamp nearby – complete with wet and cold conditions,” Hasnan said.
He also said it was not difficult to handle the 15kg snake because it had swallowed a monitor lizard.
Hasnan said the king cobra, from the Ophiophagus hannah family, could be found in many parts of the world.
“However, its gender has yet to be ascertained,” he added.
Hasnan also commended Mohd Shaiful and his brother Mohd Shamsul, 19, for capturing the snake unharmed.
“Some people take the easy way out by killing the snake. The king cobra is a protected species,” he said.
Hasnan said it was an offence under the Protection of Wildlife Act 1972 to kill or own the reptile without a permit.
An offender can be fined RM3,000 or jailed three years, or both.
King Cobra gets a home

Great that the King has a home.

I like their wildlife laws...a real deturant to killing snakes.

It ate a "monitor lizard", How cow, Komodo Dragons beware!

Al
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"Snakes in Peru are not there for decoration, they really bite people."

Professor David Warrell, Omaha 10/21/05

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Venomous snakes---best hobby on earth!
Bill Huseth