Criticism towards Kampala snake (amusement) park

I visited this promising snake place a few weeks ago while in Kampala. And lovely it is on behalf of the tranquile animals themselves but the human "hangout" atmosphere in the place left a bad taste of venom in my mouth.

Upon arrival and written on the desk wall there is a good list of things to remember while in the outdoors park where each species lives inside their individual round huts with glass windows. These include "Do not harass the snakes" and "Do not try to catch or grab the snakes." This way "smiles are guaranteed."

Everything was like this and okay until a half-a-dozen group of noisy university students arrived with a guide from the park. While making noise and giggling at each other is still tolerable in public places it all turned ugly when they targeted the biggest of the parks snakes, the rock python that lives inside a big open roof "house" with windows at the far end of the park.

The guide stepped inside, grabbed and caught the big snake by its neck after which the intellectuals followed and started their prolonged harassment of "that devil", as another gentleman with a small silent boy proudly put it.

Noise and physical harassment of the upset snake held up by several pair of fists made it release an impressive gush of yellowish and brown liquid from its rear close to one pair of leather shoes after which the delightful opportunity for snake photographs continued for several minutes until they had had enough. All this was operated and arranged by the official guide in the park.

After this, the python was so alert that when I looked at it from behind the window it attacked continuosly against me, the window glass, that is, according to even the smallest movement I made. Seeing how this impressive animal attacks is of course fascinating, but it should have done it a few minutes earlier. Although then the staff had probably killed "the devil" like good Christians would.

The several cobras in the park got their share as well. They are very sensitive to your movements behind the glass, raising their heads high and staging the impressive gesture to scare potential enemies away by "widening" their necks. Naturally this was not enough for most visitors who made sudden and violent gestures towards the cobras that obviously then attacked ferociously towards them... hitting the glass several times. By the time I was leaving at least one cobra had a fresh bloodied head and nose ripe for infection and death in captivity.

So the overall attitude in many places seems to be that anything you dont know about is dangerous to humans or for the pleasure of humans, and never bother to study any facts about it, or follow the respective and well-meaning rules written on the wall.

Oh, and the official price for everyone is 5000 shillings which was not the price first quoted to me even with the presence of my Ugandan friend.

Hard to support but the snakes themselves are plentiful, beautiful and fascinating. Dangerous only for the unlucky, ignorant and the idiots.