Malaysia Veterinary Forum (Archive)

Dr. TanDY

Perlis Snake And Reptile Centre in Dire Straits

Source: Bernama

KANGAR, July 11 (Bernama) -- If only they can talk, all the occupants of the Perlis Snake and Reptile Farm (TUR) in Sungai Batu Pahat here will be "hissing" their protests and sheer frustrations over the shabby treatment they are getting.

On checking by Bernama, it is hard to believe that TUR, once an icon for the state that makes its citizens proud of it having the biggest reptile collection in Asia is now in dire need of help.

Is this the price animals have to pay after we hunt, capture and take away their freedom to live in their own natural habitat?

We, humans always say that we need to capture them to enable us to conduct research and to understand them and their way of life for our own benefit.

But are we fully aware that once the animals are captured, it is our responsibility to look after them properly, to provide them with some comfort in return for taking away their freedom as confined exhibits for public viewing or for research purpose?

CRAMPED INSIDE

CRAMPED… New occupants, all from overseas, have to be placed and cramped inside aquarium-like plastic container placed on the floor. Pix: Kassim Saad

At the Perlis Snake and Reptile Centre, for instance, the situation has become worse when its 54 new additions, all from overseas, are cramped inside small plastic containers placed on the floor, while it had not been easy and cheap to bring them in.

Concerned over their fate, Bernama tried to get some explanation from TUR manager, Tengku Noriah Tengku Mahmud.

According to her, she had done everything she could to improve conditions at the centre and to accommodate the reptiles including finding foster families to finance their upkeep.

"Our main income comes from the entrance fees which we use to manage this place including paying the wages of workers," she said.

If the income for the particular month was inadequate, Tengku Noriah said she had to consider fund-raising activities such as snake shows and conducting courses or seminars on snakes and reptiles.

FINANCIAL SUPPORT

Nevertheless, she is thankful, for TUR is not left solely on its own.

TUR, she said, received support and assistance from the Perlis state government and Tourism Ministry.

However, she could not hide her frustration that the allocation of RM1 million received from the ministry was insufficient to bring the much desired changes to TUR.

She said RM700,000 had been spent on renovation works to the office, exhibition area, galleries that house the live and preserved snakes, a stable and crocodile pond.

"As for the balance, I applied to purchase new species of snakes from overseas as I wanted something different for TUR. I received approval for the purchase," she added.

However, she said the renovation works were still incomplete even after the new species of snakes worth of RM50,000 had arrived and the contractor claimed he could not supply the aquarium as the payment made was insufficient.

BIG MESS

Tengku Noriah said she had not paid for the new snakes and the renovation works had since been stalled, leaving the place in a big mess.

"We received a lot of complaints from visitors as they were not happy to see broken bricks and nails left scattered around the place," she added.

When she tried to contact the relevant party, Tengku Noriah said she was informed that a letter for a complete renovation work had been issued to TUR.

"Now I've to deal with this mess. In order to clean the compound, I have to organise a gotong-royong," she lamented.

Speaking about TUR's new mates, Tengku Noriah said she was now organising a programme called "Sumbang Kasih" in search of foster families to fund them.

FEELING SORRY

"I feel so sorry for those snakes. It's very hard for us to get snakes from abroad, and not only that, they are alive! I'm left with only two choices now; to look after them properly or send them back," she said.

Tengku Noriah said the responsibility to look after the image of TUR was everybody's responsibility in order to uphold the country's good name.

She said when she was sent to TUR three years ago, she had a vision to promote the centre to all over Malaysia with various scheduled programmes but it was easier said than done as it faced financial difficulties.

"If I have a chance, I would like to see TUR prosper not only as a sanctuary but also as a centre for education, research and handicraft. But I can't do this alone. I need support," she said.

Besides being home to 318 snakes from more than 60 species, there are also 23 iguanas and eight crocodiles at TUR.

-- BERNAMA