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Meet Teodoro F. Yanuyan III of Dumalinao, Zamboanga del Sur who is known in his neighborhood as the “Snake Man”.
 
Last Tuesday afternoon of this week, Yanuyan went to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Zamboanga Peninsula regional office in Balintawak, Pagadian City to turn-over a matured Samar Cobra (Naja samarensis) locally known as “Dupong”, a highly venomous species of spitting cobra native to the Visayas and Mindanao islands.
 
Yanuyan narrated that neighbors always call on him whenever there are snakes found in their houses or garden. In this particular case, his neighbor called him to help catch the snake who was trapped in a garden net before it could harm anyone especially children.
 
The 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 OIC Chief, Enforcement Division Heracleo M. Calasang, Jr., who praised Yanuyan for his noble act. It 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.