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Myanmar monk offers temple sanctuary for threatened snakes

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Thu Thu Aung, Reuters

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2020/reuters/12/04/myanmar-monk-snakes.jpg"/><figcaption>Buddhist monk Wilatha poses with a rescued Burmese python at his monastery that has turned into a snake sanctuary on the outskirts of Yangon, Myanmar, Nov. 26, 2020. Shwe Paw Mya Tin, Reuters</figcaption></figure></div><p>YANGON - Tenderly stroking the back of a large Burmese python resting on his lap, Buddhist monk Wilatha is trying to play a part in saving scores of snakes that might otherwise be killed or destined for the black market.</p><p>The 69-year-old monk has created a refuge for snakes ranging from pythons to vipers and cobras at the Seikta Thukha TetOo monastery in the bustling commercial city of Yangon.</p><p>Since the snake refuge launch 5 years ago, residents and government agencies, including the fire department, have been bringing captured snakes to the monk.</p><p>&quot;Once people catch snakes, they will likely try to find a buyer,&quot; said Wilatha, who also uses his saffron robe to clean the snake, one of the many he looks after and describes as &quot;my children&quot;.</p><p>Having such a sanctuary in mainly-Buddhist Myanmar means people can gain &quot;merit&quot; by giving the snakes to a monk rather than killing or selling them, said Wilatha, who feels he is helping protect the natural ecological cycle.</p><p>The Southeast Asian country has become a global hub in the illegal wildlife trade with snakes often smuggled to neighboring countries like China and Thailand, according to conservationists.</p><p>Despite being considered an invasive species in some parts of the world, the Burmese python has been listed as &quot;vulnerable&quot; in its native Southeast Asia by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.</p><p>&quot;Generally, living in close proximity to people induces stress in snakes,&quot; said Kalyar Platt, a member of the Wildlife Conservation Society, explaining the need to get them back into the forest as soon as possible.</p><p>Relying on donations for the roughly $300 a month needed to feed the snakes, Wilatha only keeps them until he feels they are ready to go back to the wild.</p><p>During a recent release at the Hlawga National Park, he said he was happy to see them slither into freedom but worried in case they were caught again.</p><p>&quot;They would be sold to the black market if they are caught by bad people.&quot;</p><div><strong> FROM THE ARCHIVES</strong></div><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/jUy4Iubv8Ns?enablejsapi=1" width="560"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more in <a href="//www.iwantv.com.ph/">iWantv</a> or <a href="//tfc.tv/">TFC.tv</a></div>

<p>Tenderly stroking the back of a large Burmese python resting on his lap, Buddhist monk Wilatha is trying to play a part in saving scores of snakes that might otherwise be killed or destined for the black market.</p>

Tenderly stroking the back of a large Burmese python resting on his lap, Buddhist monk Wilatha is trying to play a part in saving scores of snakes that might otherwise be killed or destined for the black market.

Myanmar monk offers temple sanctuary for threatened snakes

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Myanmar monk offers temple sanctuary for threatened snakes

Thu Thu Aung,

Reuters

Published Dec 04, 2020 03:42 PM PHT

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Myanmar monk snake refuge

Seikta Thukha TetOo monastery

Buddhist monk Wilatha snakes

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