As a biologist and academic that has been working with venomous snakes for near on 25 years, I shoulder the burden that all snake handlers labour under: we have a moral and ethical obligation to positively portray highly venomous snakes to the general public, often in situations where there is good cause for the public to regard them with disdain.
Whether it be true or not, I believe my burden is a little heavier than most because I have spent years researching one of the most feared and loathed snakes in Australia. Unlike the average ameteur snake catcher or hobby keeper, when I speak I am ethically obliged, as a scientist, to speak the truth.
But what exactly is the truth? The most fundamental paradigm in science is that there is no certainty, only uncertainty that needs explanation. That is, you cant prove something; you can only disprove it.
When I am on camera should I being saying things like 'snakes are only dangerous if you get bitten': 'leave them alone and they will leave you alone'; 'snakes are timid and defensive, not assertive and aggressive'; 'snakes don't chase people'; 'if you see a snake and you stand still you will not get bitten'.
From the minute I could speak with any real authority (the day after I bagged my first large venomous snake) I preached the positive message because I genuinely believed I could turn the tide of public opinion on snakes: I genuinely believed I could make the public, if not like, at least respect snakes and end the days of wanton snake whacking. I have exhausted myself denouncing the age old adage that the only good snake is a dead snake.
I adore snakes; there is not question about that. I don't want to see any snake come to harm equally as much as I don't want to see anyone getting bitten trying to kill a snake that they feel threatened by. But what right have I to impose my values on 'Joe Public' who is out walking one day and steps within 15cm of a Tiger Snake.
I think it is time to tone it down; wind it back a notch. How I feel is how I feel. It is neither my obligation nor is it my responsibility to exhaust myself any longer trying to brainwash the public into believing my assertions that actually have no scientific basis; and that is a fact, they don't!!!!!
Whether I like it or not many snakes are highly venomous, they bite people and people die. Not often, but it happens.
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