Hi all, just thought I should try my best to answer some of u'r questions......
The Irula tribes had no where to go once the ban on keeping snakes as pet's came into affect...... These people were forced to get other job's but since they didn't know anything else except catching snakes for their skin or for charming they found it really hard to find work, even more since India has a larger population and not enough job's..... Fortunately a few well know herpetologists like Rom Whitaker who is an American but has grown up in India, has done a lot to help these people..... They are now either still catching snakes to supply to these institutes or even Rom uses them to track snakes for the International herpetologists who come from all over the world to India... Here's a link that will give u an idea abt Rom's work with Indian snakes and the Irulas...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romulus_Whitaker I would guess that this is just a small percentage of the tribe... As for the woman, other self help groups have started to train them on breeding fish and other such things to get them started.... I have attached a link explaining this in a lil more detail.... Also the money they save is in Rupees and so to get a better idea of how much they make in AU$ the exchange rate of one AU$ = 35 Rupees........
http://www.hindu.com/2007/06/27/stories/2007062759360200.htm
urodacus_AU good question... I really don't know how old this video is cos if it is recent then obviously someone has asked the family to demonstrate how they introduce their children to snakes...... Also they would have had to pay for it.... As for the Irulas, any extra money is good money........
Andrew, I saw that doc too and thought it was done quit well explaining these people and how things were being done to help them and the snakes..... Like u mentioned in the next post, I recon some of u guys who would much rather beat the parents up, should go to India or other developing and third world countries to help and educate these people abt snakes and respect for life cos if u were punching them then u'r no different from them........
Sdaji, that is true that no culture can be excused for any cruelty……… Unfortunately in India it’s snake charming (now ban) in Spain its bull fighting, and so on………. I was told that u breed and sell a lot of animals each season, so I reckon u should spend a lil of that money to go to India and see or meet these people who put money and their family’s wellbeing b4 the animals pain......... Also if u do decide on doing that let me know cos I’d be more than happy to take u herping with the help of the Irulas in India……….
Prettyinmetal that is an interesting point….. Even I would like to know how many of the Irula’s have changed their ways and how many haven’t cos illegal snake skin trade still happen’s from India and the Irula's population numbers is not exactly small……. I will speak to Rom and other herpers who are trying to make a difference and let u know what they make of it…… Will add u to my buddy list just so I don’t forget……….
Like I mentioned in the Introduction forum, I have just come to this country and haven’t brought the pic’s of the snakes I had……. Or even the pic’s of the wild one’s……… What I had back in India, were heaps of sand boa’s, common vine snakes, keelback’s, a few cobras that me and my mate’s rescued from snake charmers and a few more……..
Hope this answers some of u'r questions.......JR.........
