New Straits Times 17 Sep 13;
KOTA BARU: The Kelantan Wildlife and Natural Parks Department (Perhilitan) is implanting microchips in captured snakes to keep track of the reptile population in the state.
Its director, Rahmat Topani, said the move was also aimed at helping the department keep track of snake smugglers.
He said microchips would be implanted in captured snakes before they were released back into the wild.
The microchips, which cost about RM20 each, would be implanted only in the bigger and more dangerous types of snakes, such as cobras and pythons.
Rahmat said the latest exercise to implant the microchips was held on Sunday, which saw five wildlife officers, led by the department assistant director Shaary Awang Besar, involved in the exercise. He added that 20 snakes were implanted with the microchips.
"The snakes will be released into jungles near Pasir Putih, Machang and Tanah Merah."
He said if the project proved to be a success, the department would extend it to other endangered species.
