Don’t kill snakes; coexist with them - Forestry Commission

Authorities of the Forestry Commission in the Ashanti Region have cautioned against the killing of snakes after an invasion of the serpents in various towns within the Ejisu Juaben municipality.

“They can’t just go and kill the animals. We must co-exist with them. Otherwise, if they kill the snakes, it could result in more mice and lizards in the area and the problem will be compounded. It is important that the community reports to the appropriate quarters and then they will come and survey the area and give proper advice to the district assembly on the actions to take,” Public Relations Manager of the Wildlife Division of the Forestry Commission Joseph Yaw Oppong cautioned in an interview with Class FM’s Naa Dedei Tettey.

Kwaaso and surrounding communities in the Ejisu Juaben municipality of the Ashanti Region after a rainstorm on Tuesday, March 15 are reported to have been overtaken by the snakes that are slithering into their homes.

The situation has led to a standstill in economic activities in the areas affected as scores of people have abandoned their homes.

But Mr Oppong argues that residents must co-exist with the snakes because residents have encroached on the habitat of the serpents and eliminating them will lead to a high population of other pests and creatures including mice and lizards.

He says residents should report the situation to the appropriate authorities for advice and for appropriate action to be taken to resolve the problem.

“Because we have not done a proper layout and town planning, we have encroached on the habitat of the snakes. The animals were there before humans beings entered their territory. We must demarcate areas for human habitat and reserve some part of the forest for the animals,” he added.

Unit committee member of the Kwaaso Denteso Electoral Area Kyei Norman says there was confusion at Kwaaso, Esienimpong, Deduako Onyina, Korase as many of the inhabitants have abandoned their homes and the streets to seek shelter outside their communities.

Most of the traumatised inhabitants now walked the streets armed with clubs and machetes to crush snakes on sight, while employing torches and lanterns to light their paths at night to avert snake bites.

Mr Norman said snakes of various species, including cobras, vipers, royal pythons, and mambas, could be found in the streets, homes, churches, and gutters of the affected communities, striking terror in residents.

Meanwhile some residents believe the invasion is linked to the immoral activities of some individuals in the community.

“I have lived here all my life for 21 years and I have never heard of such a thing. Everywhere you turn, there are snakes. They come as far as our bedrooms; you wake up from your sleep only to find snakes lying by your side. The gods must be angry because the youth in the area are bathing in rivers we have been asked not to bathe in. We are suffering and our elders must offer libation to appease the gods,” a female resident pleaded.

Another man who lives in the community also indicated that he had a strong belief that “the gods are punishing us for our evil deeds. We are pleading to our elders to slaughter a sheep or perform some sacrifices to pacify the gods”.