TNAG-0634-FCO40-782-Violation-of-legislation-for-protection-of-endangered-specie-1977 — Page 78

4.

I also saw the same man remove the gall bladders of

four snakes, ranging from finger- to wrist-sized, in the

following manner.

The anterior half of the snake's body

was placed inside sack and the man then applied thumb and

forefinger to the snake's body, squeezing it in a slow

downward movement to feel for the lump, that would be the

bladder. He then used a short penknife and made a shallow

incision about an inch long in the underside of the snake

body. He then used both hands to squeeze the bladder out

of the snake's body, which he removed with thumb and forefinger

During the removal of the bladder the snake was noticeably

more active

*

obviously in pain.

-

and had to be held down

forcibly.

In one corner of the shop I noticed a pile of dead

kraits. These had not been skinned and had probably died

5.

J

of malnutrition.

6.

1

I then visited the adjoining shop under the same name

of Sing Lai Hong, situated at 87 Fa Yuen Street as aforesaid.

This shop had a metal sliding gate and was dimly-lit inside.

The gate was shut at first, but was eventually opened and I

was permitted to enter the premises.

1.

3

On entering this shop I saw innumerable pigeons and.

ducks in both metal and bamboo/reed cages and/or baskets.

There were also white rabbits and mandarin ducks, and a small white stork roamed the premises quite freely. On the

floor of the shop were strewn the flattened and stiff bodies

of many dead birds, which no-one bothered to remove

move.

J

*M