by Marcel2992 » Mon May 09, 2011 7:06 pm
Hello, I recieved a few sms's and emails and messages that I got posted here.. Gee,well, rather not ask how you would know if I think that is ''hard core'' to me.. Eric is a friend of mine that owned Chameleon Village Reptile & Conservaition Park but sold it recently. He has a wealth of knowledge about reptiles.. But, I must admit that I am against free handling of venomous snakes.. I did not post the photo of the king, but got ''tagged'' on facebook.. Already on the net, its quite a nice king and it is now added to my facebook album.. This king had an eyecap and needed a bit of help taking it of.. Working with the king for a while getting it a bit ''tired'', it calmed and I went behind the head and slowly but carefully pushed it's head down to the ground and necking it with care and experience, then took the eyecap off and realeased it safely.. I necked it in the heat of the moment not needing a pinstick.. I accept that I could have rather used a pin.. I don't do this for showing off.. I have been bitten before by a venomous snake, and I ceratainly never want to get bitten again.. Venom is not just fun and games.. So I admit of being wrong in this particular photo.. but now.. BV, you said that I got upset because you did not approve permits for me..? I've never even applied for permits, so how could you have approved it? I asked you a some time ago if you could help me or direct me to someone or something to just apply for permit for a annulifera and you told me that I must be 16 before I can apply and you asked if I have done a handling course, and I did do ID and handling course with Mike Perry (about two years ago).. So I accepted it and the conversation ended there (that was the first and last time I talked to you)..I called Mike today, to get all my facts right and asked if the certificate needs to be approved by natcon.. Apparently Natcon attends his courses, and then he said, Marcel, if you did my course, you can handle any venomous snake.. So I did not do my course at ''the institution where that photo was taken''... BV, you are and extremly experienced person with a real wealth of knowledge!! And I do respect you! There is no reason to free handle any venomous snake..And I will always remember what you said in that documentary: Bly weg van die skerp kant!!
Knowledge comes from reading a book. Experience comes from... not reading it.