Digital Hiss - Can Microchips Save Snake Charmers From Extinction?
This 5-foot long King Cobra has a grain size microchip in its body. It was planted almost 10 years ago. It is meant to keep track of the snake's location so as to ensure that its owner takes good care of it. In 2003, the wildlife protection act was amended and it became mandatory to declare possession of wild animals. Eight years later, in 2011, the Delhi government announced a one time amnesty scheme, under which snake charmers were supposed to declare how many snakes they had in their possession. Those who declared this were granted a licence, and allowed to retain the snakes. (Video credit: PTI)
