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International Journal Of Forest, Animal And Fisheries Research(IJFAF)

The Assessment of Human-Snake Interaction and its Outcome in the City of Kumba

Melle Ekane Maurice , Mbole Veronique , Esong Lionel Ebong , Ngome Laura Mesame , Chokeh Irene Chutame

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DOI: 10.22161/ijfaf.2.3.1

Journal : International Journal Of Forest, Animal And Fisheries Research(IJFAF)

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Throughout history humans have had an uneasy relationship with serpents. Snakes are animals that fascinate many people while frightening others, good or bad, most people have strong feelings about snakes, but few people remain neutral. Most human-snake interactions had lead to the destruction of snakes due to human inability to control fear and panic. The indiscriminate killing of snakes for presumed human safety has drastically reduced the population of many snake species to the level of extirpation. The objective of this, however, is to examine the human interaction with snakes in city of Kumba. To get this survey done, a total number of two hundred and fifty questionnaires were administered to a randomly selected population sample in the study area. The results of the survey revealed that the prevention of snake attacks and the opinion of people on snake population management is significantly related (X2 = 11.069 df=4, P<0.05).The importance of snakes and their medical need for snake venom has showed a significant agreement (X2 = 12.045 df=2, P<0.05). Also, the prevention of snake attacks and the area snakes are easily sighted showed a significant association (X2 = 29.205 df=4, P<0.05). In addition, there is a significant link between the snake-bite treatment and its prevention (R2 = 0.312, P<0.05). Moreso, a respondent score of 39.30% is recorded upon the knowledge of venomous snakes. Furthermore, the study recorded a respondent score of 39.30% on the preferable use of traditional treatment on snake-bite victim than the expected medical treatment (31.84%), creating an understanding that the people of Kumba are still very much dependent on the ancient methods of treating snake-bite victims. The Kumba city dwellers need education on the snake behaviour, venomous and non venomous species around their area and the ecological and medical importance of snakes.

Human-Snake Interaction, City of Kumba.

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