At present, many animal species in the world are declining in number. In Vietnam, snakes and many other animals are being threatened, with the numbers of these species declining rapidly due to many reasons.

   Associate Professor. Doctor Le Nguyen Ngat talked with the Communist Party of Vietnam Online Newspaper.On the occasion of the Lunar New Year of Snake 2013, the Communist Party of Vietnam Online Newspaper has interviewed Associate Professor. Doctor Le Nguyen Ngat, lecturer of the Faculty of Biology, the Hanoi University of Education. He is a scientist, who has spent many years researching snakes.

Many snake species are threatened with extinction

How do you evaluate the benefits snakes bring to humans?

Snakes bring humans many benefits. Meat of many snake species such as copperhead, king cobra, coluber, ratsnake, water-snake is a popular specialty. Snake-soaked alcohol helps enhance health and treat some diseases relating to muscles, bones, joints, nerves. Grease, python and snake glue and products from venom are rare medicine. Tanned python and snake skin are used to make handicraft products such as wallets and belts which are beautiful and durable.

Some species such as slow and harmless boa, many-coloured boa, copperhead, coluber, ratsnake and striped snakes like to eat rats, which are a harmful animal. Snakes eat many animals and it is also prey of many other species, that creates natural balance, contributing to keeping the environment stable and pure.

Many animal species in the world, including reptiles, today are declining dramatically in number. Some species are in danger of extinction or already extinct completely. According to you, are snake species in Vietnam threatened?

Many snakes in Vietnam, as well as other species like some birds and fish, are now threatened. The number of individuals of species is declining rapidly due to many reasons. Specifically, there are 11 species listed in Decree 32/2006/ND-CP on the management of endangered, precious and rare plants and animals, such as king cobra belonging to group IB (prohibiting exploitation and use for commercial purposes); and 10 species, including: 3 python species, 3 snake species of krait, Indian Ratsnake Dhaman, and copperhead of group IIB (limiting exploitation and use for commercial purposes). 14 species are listed in Vietnam's Red Data Book 2007, of which three species are of CR group, four species are of EN group and seven species are of VU. These are species of conservation value.

Eat snake meat is not encouraged

What do you think about snake now being considered a kind of "special" to eat and drink, for example, in the village of Le Mat (Viet Hung Ward, Long Bien District, Hanoi)?

In my opinion, eating snakes cannot be forbidden because so many people want to do this. Many snakes are not endangered animals, and some people raise snakes at home to eat, so it is very difficult to define and manage.

However, eating snake should not be encouraged because of the rarity of snakes today. A prohibition on hunting or using snake species is included in Decree 32/2006/ND-CP and the Vietnam Red Book 2007.

Recently, snake farming households or snake breeding farms appeared at some places. What is your opinion about this situation and the prospects of snake farming?

In 1962, the Hanoi Department of Foreign Trade built the snake farm in Le Mat (Gia Lam district, Hanoi), though it was no longer active some years later. In 1990 there was Dong Tam snake farm (Military Region 9); and Vinh Son snake farm (Vinh Tuong, Vinh Phuc). Now, in many parts of Hai Duong, Son Tay (Hanoi), there are snake farms of family and farm scale with a variety of snakes.

Snake farming should be encouraged and conditions provided for adequate training. We should take advantage of plentiful human resources in poor rural areas, while scientists have the knowledge, experience and the funding of kind donors. Especially, these enterprises must have the permission of the Forest rangers and the government; and must comply with the Law on Biodiversity and CITES convention, of which our country is a signatory.

In my opinion, snake farming has good prospects because now there are many units in the province raising many different snakes, while many people can successfully earn a high income.

According to you, what solutions should be taken to protect snakes in nature?

To protect snakes in the wild, there are some solutions:

No hunting or illegal use of snakes, especially those having conservation value.

Protecting forest and sea areas which are home to many snake species.

Fighting environmental pollution by limiting the use of pesticides and herbicides; ending unregulated waste and waste water disposal; and clearing contaminated rivers, streams and lakes.

We should develop snake rescue and adoption centres, along with snake breeding in both family and farm settings.

Enhancing the effectiveness of management, awareness of wildlife for rangers, the authorities and the people.

The need to respect and protect snake

Can you talk about scientific studies on snakes in Vietnam at present?

There are not many studies about snakes in Vietnam, one doctoral thesis about snakes in Vietnam; one scientific doctoral thesis and five doctoral theses about ecology and snake breeding conditions such as copperhead and coluber; eight doctoral theses and more than 30 MA theses about amphibians and reptiles, which include two theses about raising snakes; and dozens of newspaper articles by domestic and foreigner authors about the distribution, ecology and newly discovered snake species in Vietnam. Three books listing amphibians and reptiles in Vietnam, including snakes, were published.

146 species of snake were found in Vietnam in 1996; 172 species in 2005; 192 species in 2009; and nearly 200 species at present, including 52 venomous snakes under the copperhead and dendrophis families. Other species will continue being discovered.

For many people, the snake is a special animal which arouses strong feelings. Being a scientist, what do you think when making such effort and passion for studying snakes?

Many people are afraid of snake because of snake can bite, causing injury or death; some have such a strong reaction that they will kill a snake on sight; others worship snakes, setting up special temples; and others think that snakes bring good fortune.

I give lectures on vertebrates and carry out studies about amphibians and reptiles following Prof. Tran Kien. I care for snake because I need knowledge about snake for my lectures in particular and in life in general. Moreover, there are diversified wild animals in Vietnam. Not many countries have the biological diversity that Vietnam has. Therefore, these animals need to be respected and protected.

What is your remarkable memory when studying snake?

About in 1977 or 1978, I took a copperhead for the first time to take poison for doctors, nurses and leaders from the Vinh Phu provincial Drug Company with the witness of many curious people. I was very afraid of being bitten. Fortunately, there was no problem.

Then, I raised a copperhead in a room under the area of a tenement house in Hanoi Teachers’ Training College. Once, when I was away from the house, the snake escaped from the room and went to a neighbouring house. The tenant asked the guard to catch the snake. At that time, the cave was destroyed and one snake collected from Tam Dao Mountain was killed. I was asked to leave the tenement house – so now I am always very careful!

Many snake catchers are admired for their skills and the risks they take in catching poisonous snakes. Being a snake researcher, are you a good catcher?

Snake catchers don’t use gloves or any medicine to rub their hands, they often use stick with hook to drag the snake or hold the head or body gently. The most important thing is not to hurt the snake and to avoid having the snake head touch our bodies.

In fact, when seeing a snake, we only need to stand still and almost all snakes will leave; snakes will only get angry when they are bothered or touched. However, big pythons sometimes consider children as prey, and copperheads can actively attack or even spit venom out 1-2 metres; around them, we are very cautious.

I’m not so good at catching snakes. When I bred snakes, I also caught copperheads by hand and to be safer, I often used a stick or clip to catch them.

Being a snake researcher, what message do you want to send to readers on the occasion of welcoming the year of snake, 2013?

On the occasion of the year of snake, 2013, I wish everyone would not think badly of or kill snakes, and should care of them. I want more people to research snakes, and snake breeders to have more success to exchange experiences in order to exploit and preserve snakes more effectively and make snake resources more widely available.

Wishing you health and happiness!

Thank you very much!

CPV