The Associated Press - ADEL, Ga.
Herpetologist Chet Powell hopes to convince sponsors of one of Georgias last two rattlesnake roundups that they can have a successful community fund-raiser without pulling snakes out of the wild.
Powell will give an educational presentation on captive snakes native to Georgia, including the Eastern diamondback rattler, and exotic snakes, such as pythons, at the 44th annual Rattlesnake Roundup in the small southwestern Georgia town of Whigham on Jan. 31.
Rattlesnake roundups face increasing criticism from animal rights groups that contend the snake hunts are environmentally damaging and cruel, especially if the snakes are roused from their burrows with gasoline fumes. The captured snakes are killed for their hides and meat.
Eastern diamondbacks are among about 300 species, including endangered indigo snakes, rabbits, skunks and frogs, that live in burrows made by Georgias state reptile, the gopher tortoise. Hunters have been known to blow gasoline fumes into tortoise burrows to force the rattlesnakes out.
Georgia used to have three similar rattlesnake events, but the town of Fitzgerald switched in 2000 to a Chicken Festival, honoring the wild Burmese fowl that have found a home in that community. Claxton and Whigham continue to feature rattler roundups.
Hunters last year caught 331 snakes as part of the Whigham roundup, where prizes are awarded for the heaviest snake and the most snakes.
The festival attracts around 20,000 visitors and is a major fund-raising event in the town of 600. Proceeds have been used to buy playground equipment and school computers, to sponsor a Scout troop and to help needy families, said festival spokesman George Trulock.
Powell said he is going to show the sponsors that they can still raise money from the annual event without removing snakes from the environment.
Im going to participate because they are changing the focus to more of an educational theme, Powell said. They have already made some changes and they are open to future changes.
Jeff Worsham, president of the Whigham Community Club, said the groups board of directors has discussed changes.
We have some pressure every year, he said. We dont know what will happen after this year. ... We dont feel we are doing anything wrong, but we understand that some people have some complaints about snake hunters.
Game officials say snake hunting is the second largest threat to Eastern diamondbacks behind habitat loss.
Ranging from 3 to 6 feet in length and weighing from up to 15 pounds, the venomous reptiles are found in forests or on farmland from the coastal lowlands of North Carolina to eastern Louisiana, including Florida and the Keys.
Claxton, about 50 miles west of Savannah, will host its 37th annual Claxton Rattlesnake Roundup Festival and its 4th annual Southeast Spring Turkey Calling Contest on March 13-14.
The festival continues to feature snakes brought in by hunters, but it has been expanded to make it a family event, said Brenda Bradley, events coordinator.
Even though some people are fearful of snakes, the reptiles have a place in nature and should be preserved, said Powell, who works at the Little River Wildlife Research Station near Adel.
They are a natural part of the ecosystem, he said. They are one of the best rodent and pest controls that a farmer can have
http://www.accessnorthga.com/news/ap...y.asp?ID=29063
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