I Tried to Save a Snake Today
I didn’t think saving a snake would be hard!
It dropped from a tree branch right in the middle of a small intersection in Malang, East Java. Because there was no traffic light, mopeds and cars pass by as they wish. I was on the phone when it happened, and my call got so distracted as I prayed that the snake would quickly slid fast to the sidewalk. It didn’t.
It paced itself in confusion facing all the traffic. It wasn’t a major road, but any third world country road is usually busy with mopeds. As I slowly work my way towards it in attempt to stop the traffic, parts of the snake was run over by a car. I let out a little yelp and worked faster towards it with my arms out trying to redirect traffic, while also still on the phone. I think I looked pretty silly.
As I approached it, I realized I couldn’t get too close either. It could have just jumped and bit me thinking I, too, was a threat. I tried to move behind it and air-push it to the side. Naturally, it had no idea what I was doing. Soon enough, a moped ran through it, almost getting its head. Again, I screamed in between my chat to my colleague on the phone. Having to stop the nonsense I just stopped any vehicle approaching it until the snake could slide to the side walk, and eventually up a tall bush.
“Sorry about that, I had to save a snake,” I replied on the phone. Yes, it sounded that odd.
Saving (or not) the snake isn’t the most important thing about the whole experience. Amongst the mini-event I had, I remember Joel Sartore, a National Geographic photographer who is on his quest to take pictures of the worlds species. His project, The Photo Ark, is a quest to document all the animals of the world so that people get to know them, and eventually want to preserve them. He introduces the audience to various interesting animals through their function within the ecosystem. I had just finished watching 5 episodes of documentary and apparently the series has embedded in my mind deeper that I thought.
That snake is important! It must live!
That was what went through my mind when I decided to approach it. As I browsed the Photo Ark, I think it was an Oriental Whip Snake (Ahaetulla prasina). Like most snakes in cities, it helps control the population of birds, frogs, and lizards. It’s hunted for pets and medicine. And dear Lord, it’s mildly venomous!
Once the snake got into the bush and I had my head settled on what I had done, I tried to document it. It was hard as fuck! At this was a meter long snake in just a little bush. I was amazed how well it camouflaged itself. The head looked like leaves. I could only rely on the yellow streak on its belly to find it. It took me about 30 minutes to get the poor shots, before I gave up. Seems like it also noticed how I was on to it as it moved. As snakes are cold blooded, I thought it would be better to let it nap. It had a long way to go before returning to bigger trees.
On that note, I recommend The Photo Ark series on National Geography channel to anyone that loves nature. The series is light and insightful. Joel explains nature through its function in the ecosystem, informing each species as a function has an important role and it makes this planet a better place. He‘s also a fun character on camera. But the most awesome thing about it is Joel doesn’t just take great pictures of the animals, he takes interesting ones. It’s as if the animals are posing for him. And, most importantly, he captures their clear eyes showing their soul.
I hope the snake has healed by now. AND I CAN’T WAIT FOR ANOTHER EPISODE FROM THE PHOTO ARK.