A VETERINARY student known in his neighborhood as "snake man" turned over last week a highly venomous species of spitting cobra to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) office in Zamboanga del Sur.

Teodoro Yanuyan III of Dumalinao, Zamboanga del Sur said the snake, a matured Samar Cobra locally known as "Dupong," was caught at the garden of his neighbor.

Yanuyan said his neighbor called him to help catch the snake trapped in a garden net before it could harm anyone, especially children.

Yanuyan added that neighbors always call on him whenever there are snakes found in their houses or garden.

The Samar Cobra is a highly venomous species of spitting cobra native to the Visayas and Mindanao islands.

Yanuyan, a veterinary student, believes that the snake was disturbed in its habitat following a heavy downpour the previous night.

"We are fully aware that all wildlife, including snakes, are protected under Republic Act 9147 or the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act, as we have learned this during an information campaign conducted by the DENR in our community," Yanuyan said.

The Samar Cobra was received by Heracleo Calasang Jr., enforcement division officer-in-charge, who praised Yanuyan for his noble act.

The snake was immediately brought to the Regional Wildlife Rescue Center in Baclay, Tukuran to ensure that it is fit and healthy before its release back to wild. (SunStar Zamboanga)