THE DEPARTMENT of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) XI reminded the public of safety precautions when encountering snakes.
DENR XI urged the public to remain mindful of legal responsibilities while exercising safety precautions.
The advisory was in light of the recent incidents of snake encounters in the region, which included death from snakebite involving a King Cobra in Upper Baclayon, Malalag, Davao del Sur, that killed a 41-year-old man.
A video also went viral online showing a reticulated python snake being swung and slammed along Cabantian Road in Davao City.
DENR XI reiterated under Republic Act 9147 or the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act, which safeguards both fauna and flora: hunting, injuring, killing, collecting, trading, transporting, or possession of wildlife species is unlawful and punishable.
It added that while the law recognizes exceptions, such as in cases where human safety is at risk, any harm inflicted on wildlife should be “proportional and necessary.”
“Any acts that involve excessive or unnecessary force may go beyond justified self-protection and could constitute a violation of the law,” DENR Davao stressed.
DENR XI POSu/wildlife expert Jose Lechoncito explained that snakes do not attack and just keep their distance from them.
“Ang mindset kasi natin pag sinabi mong snake nakakamatay. Sa totoo lang itong nga snakes sila ang umiiwas sa ating mga tao dahil mas malaki tayo kung tutuusin tayo pa ang predator nitong mga snakes,” Lechoncito said.
He advised people against panicking when encountering a snake, as any sudden movement can provoke them.
“Relax lang tayo at wag tayong tatakbo kasi once na tumakbo ka maano ka na parang threat ka sa kanila,” he said.
He said the King Cobra is among the most venomous snakes, and handling it without training or knowledge is dangerous. Instead, he suggested calling in the experts to retrieve the snake. Meanwhile, he also warned people against touching a dead venomous snake since there’s a possibility it’s still carrying venom.
He said it’s important for households to keep their surroundings clean and bushes trimmed to discourage snakes. He stressed that snakes are encountered during summer as they seek colder or shaded ground.
