Changing how people view and treat snakes
Chris Jenkins interviews ASP’s Executive Director, Melissa Amarello, on episode 14 of the Snake Talk podcast. We discussed ASP’s research on rattlesnake social behavior, how we use that information to change the public’s perception of snakes, and how we work in the advocacy arena using our work on rattlesnake roundups as an example.
WARNING: the following video is graphic and violent – it shows what happens at a rattlesnake roundup. Each year, tens of thousands of rattlesnakes are taken from the wild to be displayed and slaughtered for entertainment and profit at rattlesnake roundups. Professional hunters, not bound by ‘bag’ or ‘take’ limits, remove snakes from their native …
Science does not support claims that roundups are required to prevent rattlesnake overpopulation. Each year, tens of thousands of rattlesnakes are taken from the wild to be displayed and slaughtered for entertainment and profit at rattlesnake roundups. Promoted as folksy, family-friendly fun, these events foster disrespect for native wildlife and the natural world, and the …
Wildlife Slaughter Persists at Rattlesnake Roundups Despite Conservation Efforts Read More »
Once again, the New York Times has published a story portraying rattlesnake roundups (Sweetwater specifically) as folksy, family-friendly fun. The controversy surrounding these events is brushed off as mere predictable “attention from animal rights groups,” and we expect better from a well-respected outlet like the Times. Take Action! Send a Letter to the Editor …
Recently the New York Times published an article covering the debate in Texas over the potential ban on gassing rattlesnakes. Unfortunately they did a terrible job. What follows is the long version of our letter to the editor in response to this article (what we would have written if letters weren’t limited to 150 words). …
Dear New York Times, please give rattlesnakes a fair shake Read More »
Each spring, festivals are held throughout Texas in which thousands of rattlesnakes are kidnapped from their dens, kept without adequate food or water, tortured, and finally killed for entertainment and profit (find out more at RattlesnakeRoundups.com). If you have ever been out looking for snakes, or even spent time in rattlesnake habitat, you’ve probably noticed …
Sorry for the interuption from our regularly scheduled program, but this is important.Enjoy our blog posts?Like snakes?Then consider signing this petition to stop the unnecessary and cruel rattlesnake slaughter:Ask Texas Department of Parks and Wildlife To End Rattlesnake Roundups
Serpent Research: More on Ending Rattlesnake Roundups: “The following commentary was on the Andalusian Star News January 29, 2011 The City of Opp’s Rattlesnake Rodeo Web site cauti…”