A Senior Lecturer with the Department of Conservation Biology and Entomology, UCC, Dr Kweku Brako Dakwa has called for an attitudinal change from Ghanaians towards snakes to harness the benefits these reptiles possess.
His comments come in commemoration of the celebration of World Snake Day 2020 which is celebrated every 16th of July to raise awareness of the wide variety of snake species around the world and the need to ensure their conservation.
Studies reveal that globally, the snake population is gradually declining with about 12 per cent of assessed snake species being under threat of extinction due to their indiscriminate killings.
Snakes, like many other animals, are faced with destructions due to human activities like urbanization, overpopulation and rapid development. This is gradually contributing to habitat loss resulting in biodiversity regression.
But unfortunately, snakes are not only battling with these factors. They have inspired fear and fascination in the minds of people for ages. These reptiles have gotten a bit of a bad reputation – and there are many myths associated with them.
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There are over 3,500 species of snakes in the world, but only about 600 of them are venomous. This and other such facts are what animal welfare organisations want the public to know to fight the common misconceptions surrounding snakes.
Dr Dakwa said the negative attitude most people have developed towards the snake is largely due to fear and as such believes it is important to raise more awareness about their conservation.
“Creating awareness is a very important strategy and celebrating World Snake Day is one step forward. But more to this we expect some schools and institutions and organisations to champion the snake conservation agenda and campaign effectively to create awareness”, he explained.
The conservation biologist added that creating habitat protective measures will go a long way to save snakes.
He, however, cautioned that “attempting to kill a snake increases ones’ risk of a snake bite and also the actual killing of snakes contributes to biodiversity regression. Many snake species are under threat of extinction because of the killing”.
Dr Dakwa outlining their importance to human survival mentioned that there is the need to conserve them for the future generation who may find them more useful.
“Snakes maintain the balance in the food web and therefore keep the ecosystem healthy. They feed on other animals to check their population growth so there is a balance in the system as well as provide humans with an ecological service by controlling pest population”.
Aside from these ecological benefits, snakes, in other cultures are important for their contribution to leather and skincare products as well as tourism. Dr Dakwa noted it will require a change of attitude on the part of Ghanaians to harness most benefits of snakes.
According to him, if we “continue to launch campaigns to educate people on what the reality is about snakes, I think the snakes will remain for years to derive more benefits from”.
Snakes are sharp predators and play an important role in maintaining the balance of nature. Before you kill them, remember that they are also important to the World.
Source: Victoria Enyonam Adonu /ATLFMNEWS
