I Witness - Jan 19, 09

My sister hates snakes, infact she is afraid of snakes. I am wondering if she has Ophidiophobia or most commonly called fear of snakes. While watching TV, my sister was sitting on the diet pad where is emits hot temperature and put on the body and so she cannot stop herself looking at the TV where the show is showing snakes which she dislikes very much. Now, my sister cannot help herself watching those eeewweeeee creatures.

Today's episode on I Witness was about the the Batanes's Pit Viper. An endangered species that can only be found in Batanes Philippines. This was hosted by Kara David, a jolly news journalist. She showed there that despite of the Republic Act passed last 2001 that prohibits anyone to catch animals whether endangered or not and to sell it at any amount. Most especially that the snakes they are talking about is endangered. It was tallyed by DENR that it reached for more than on thousand Vipers from Batanes where alreadt exported to other countries for medical purposes. Other buyers are for zoo purposes, etc. Prior to the RA ( Republic Act) when the bill has not been created, there were numerous hunters for vipers and they sell it that cost about 200- 1500 depending on the buyer. Until now, even when RA is implemented, underground transactions are done by few of the hunters and an inside job to the part of the exporter. Clever!