3 consume snake meat in Salem, caught after video of chopping reptile goes viral

The video shot nearby a temple at Thangamapuripattinam in Mettur region began to spread on social media triggering shockwaves among the wildlife conservationists and public on Friday.

After inquiries, the Forest Department confirmed the place of offence after identifying the temple. The video shows a skinned snake being held by one person and is chopped by another with a knife. Then, the chopped pieces of the snake are cooked and consumed by men while having alcohol. “One of the offenders said that it was a rat snake, but another person said that it was a water snake. However the snake is yet to be identified,” said A Periyasamy, conservator of forest, Salem circle.

Preliminary inquiries revealed that the trio had caught a snake, which entered into one of their houses in the village and consumed it after cooking.

“As the village is located nearby the banks of Cauvery river, non-poisonous snakes from the water body used to go around their locality. It’s a rare case and possibly the first of its kind in Tamil Nadu. Only after enquiry, it will be revealed if it was their first attempt or the men were used to consume snake meat,” the official added. The Forest Department has secured three men in connection with the incident and further inquiries are on to know if anyone else was also involved.