World Animal Protection, an organization protecting animal rights against mistreatment, cruelty and suffering among others, has warned individuals to refrain from torturing animals including snakes.
According to World Animal Protection, the number of snakes being captured and traded as exotic pets has skyrocketed in recent years.
While announcing World Snake Day, celebrated annually on July 16th with the aim of raising awareness about the challenges faced by snakes and advocating for their protection, Edith Kabesiime, Wildlife Campaign Manager at World Animal Protection explained the ever increasing threat against snakes.
“There is a dangerous trend that is currently gaining momentum – Snakes are extracted from the wild and kept in captivity to supply the international exotic pet market and zoos. Source countries such as Uganda encourage commercial rearing of snakes claiming that the practice benefits people and conservation. But make no mistake! These amazing beings are subjected to untold torture during capture.
They are packed in inhumane conditions during transportation and fed improper diets devoid of important nutrients. Those that survive and are bought by the so-called snake lovers spend the rest of their lives caged and live in misery.”
Kabesiime urged the public to refrain from beating, killing and keeping snakes as pets which she termed as holding them in captivity.
Don’t kill snakes because of mere mindset and myth that they are dangerous,no, they are not dangerous, you are the ones who go looking for them. We strongly urge the public to refrain from keeping snakes as pets or visiting zoos that hold them in captivity for commercial purposes. We are also calling on governments to ensure that their policies protect snakes in the wild. Snakes don’t need to live in captivity and above all, they are not for us to use and abuse. They are wild animals and have a right to wild life.”
Reptiles, comprising approximately 20% of the global exotic pet trade, are one of the most misunderstood groups of animals. Widespread misconceptions surrounding their sentience often lead owners to underestimate their care needs and fail to provide the necessary space, nutrition, environment, and enrichment. These misconceptions inadvertently result in cruelty and neglect, further perpetuating a massive global trade that jeopardizes the survival of these animals in the wild.
Kabesiime said, “Among the many species affected by the exotic pet trade, the Ball python has become the epitome of the problem. It holds the unfortunate distinction of being the most traded live animal legally exported from Africa. Snakes are also kept in zoos where tourists pay to see them, not knowing that they are supporting animal cruelty.
In Uganda, snakes are an integral part of the country’s biodiversity, occupying diverse ecosystems ranging from lush rainforests to arid savannas. However, human activities, habitat loss, and wildlife trade pose severe threats to their existence. It is estimated that over 100 snake species in Uganda are currently at risk, including the iconic Black Mamba, Ball Python, and the vibrant Green Bush Viper.”
Snakes play a vital role in controlling rodent populations and maintaining the ecological balance. The thriving industry of exotic pet trade which exploits snakes needs to be disrupted and dismantled eventually. Snakes need to be protected from being poached, removed from their natural habitats, or bred in captivity under cruel conditions, all for the sole purpose of becoming someone’s pet or a zoo specimen to amuse tourists.
The outbreak of the deadly novel coronavirus in 2019 according to Kabesiime, further underscores the urgent need to address the exotic pet trade. The virus highlighted the potential for disease transmission from wild animals subjected to the cruel practices of the wildlife trade to humans.
Snakes have been known to be a source of salmonella that can cause typhoid fever in humans. It is imperative to act not only for the welfare of animals and the preservation of biodiversity, but also to safeguard human health.
“The time has come to reverse the course of the exotic pet trade and allow snakes and other wild animals to remain in their natural habitats, where they rightfully belong,”she said.
Uganda is 40th out of 229 countries that have different snakes with over 100 species of snakes. Out of the 100, only 6 species are poisoners.
