Executive says snakes vital

THE unique diversity of snakes in Papua New Guinea must be protected, an official says.
Port Moresby Nature Park general manager Michelle McGeorge said snakes were regarded by many as dangerous and were killed when seen, however, the majority of snakes in the country were harmless.
“Of the 112 snakes we have in PNG, seven are deadly to humans,” she said.
McGeorge said the seven species were the Papuan taipan, New Guinea death adder, smooth and rough scaled New Guinea death adder, small-eyed snake, papuan black snake and the common brown snake. “Snakes are important to our planet and the ecosystem and we should respect, not fear or hate them,” she said.
“Without snakes, the bounds of our ecosystem would be tipped and humans would suffer as a result of a world over-run without snakes.
“Rats, mice and other rodents, many known to carry disease, would overrun our houses and lands putting human health at risk
“Predatory animals such as eagles and owls would go hungry and starve without snakes.”
McGeorge said snakes played an important role in maintaining the balance in the ecosystem.