Other concerns with the Commonwealth Games in Delhi aside, some are making the biggest complaint about the snakes. A South African athlete had a surprise in his room, and the teams are expressing concerns over safety.
From
Yahoo News:
A South African athlete discovered the unwelcome guest in their room and the South African High Commissioner Harris Mbulelo has admitted he is now worried about the Games.
"We have very grave concerns," Mbulelo told the Press Trust of India news agency.
"If snakes are found we can't ask our teams to stay there."
From an interview an an ABC
article, the Aussies put a lighter spin on it:
JOHN TAYLOR: And an unexpected hazard has emerged for India's organisers. Indian media is reporting that the South African team found a snake in one of its rooms in the athletes' village. And the Times of India newspaper carried a front page photo today of a man removing a one metre long Cobra from the Tennis Stadium.
STEVE MONEGHETTI: You don't want to see one. We come from the country got the most venomous snakes in the world so if any country is prepared it's probably us. Maybe we've planted a couple, I'm not sure, what sort were they? Did you get the identification of them?
REPORTER: Cobra.
STEVE MONEGHETTI: Cobras. Right, okay. Maybe, maybe, yeah well, its only a Cobra. What are we worried about?
MARK COLVIN: Well maybe just bring in some Mongeese.
With all the other problems, I think at this point they are just looking for something else to pile on.
India, to its credit, is taking this negative and turning it into a positive. They are making it a point to educate on their native wildlife.
From The Times of India:
Next time you spot a snake, keep in mind that, in all probability, it will not be poisonous. Out of about 15 species of snakes that are found in Delhi, only two are venomous. Also remember that unless the snake attacks you, trying to kill it would be a bad idea as that may invite imprisonment or even a fine under the Wildlife Protection Act.
The wildlife week that will commence on Friday will have a special focus on increasing awareness on snakes. JNU will be dedicating an entire day October 7 to dispel myths and clear the mysteries that surround the slithery reptile. Wildlife experts say that poor knowledge and long-standing fear and prejudice about snakes have led to several of them being attacked unnecessarily though most are completely harmless.
The article gives a good breakdown of the local species as well as why to leave them alone. To read the full article click
here.
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