TERENGGANU APM RECORDS 1,700 SNAKE CAPTURE CASES WITHIN TWO MONTHS

KUALA TERENGGANU, Feb 27 (Bernama) -- The Terengganu Malaysian Civil Defence Force (APM) recorded approximately 1,700 snake capture cases throughout the state for the period of Jan 1 to Feb 24.

Deputy Director (Operations) Major (PA) Mohd Hafiz Asikin said this figure shows an increase compared to the same period last year, which saw 1,100 cases, while for the entirety of 2025, the department handled 11,298 snake capture cases.

However, he said the increasingly significant rise in the number of snake captures over the last five years does not mean the reptile's population is increasing, but is instead influenced by various factors, especially weather changes.

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"If the weather is too hot, snakes will leave their habitats to find damp areas. When an area becomes too damp, they will try to find drier ground.

"So, when we look at our increasing data, it doesn't mean the number of snakes is growing. These snakes are always around us, they just don't stay near human life unless they feel threatened or their habitat is disturbed, causing them to come out to seek shelter and survive, including in residential homes," he told Bernama at the Terengganu Civil Defence State Office in Kuala Nerus here.

Mohd Hafiz said Terengganu is among the top three states recording the highest number of snake captures, alongside Selangor and Kedah.

He said the snake species most commonly found are the King Cobra, Monocled Cobra, and Reticulated Python, all of which fall under the category of venomous snakes.

He added that snake-catching operations handled by his team involve various areas, whether in urban or village settings, such as residential homes, construction sites, and mines.

"In fact, the latest case involving an injury that we received was on the first day of fasting (Feb 19) in Kuala Nerus, where a three-year-old boy was sprayed with venom by a Spitting Cobra in the eye area, and we immediately took him to the hospital," he said.

In relation to this, Mohd Hafiz advised the public to always ensure their surroundings are kept clean to prevent the presence of these venomous animals, as they enjoy being in damp or enclosed areas such as wall cracks, sewage areas, shoe racks, and roof sections.

He also advised the public to remain calm if bitten or sprayed with venom and to immediately seek treatment at the nearest hospital or clinic, or contact the 999 emergency line.

"First of all, the victim must stay calm. If sprayed by a venomous animal such as a Spitting Cobra, the victim can rinse the affected body part with clean, running water first and be sent to the hospital immediately," he said.

-- BERNAMA