Snakes no longer on sale

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CARREFOUR Malaysia has decided to remove snakes on display on all its sales floor effective Oct 15 following a customer’s request.

“Our aim is to provide maximum comfort and confidence to our customers. Every single request is taken seriously,” said Carrefour Malaysia marketing and communications director Low Ngai Yuen.

On Oct 7, StarMetro had published a story entitled Veterinarian Shocked by Slithery Sale, whereby veterinarian Dr Kavita Kaur was reported as saying that she was shocked to see shelves lined with mini-terrariums and aquariums containing snakes at the hypermarket in MidValley Megamall.

The hypermarket, when contacted, had responded that it had ordered its traders to remove the snakes and that they are no longer available at the particular store.

Some of the snakes species sold were the Mock Viper and Oriental Whip Snake, to which an official from Perhilitan said were common, unprotected species, which the hypermarket did not require a permit to sell.

However, Malaysian Nature Society (MNS) communications head Andrew Sebastian said the hypermarket’s trader might have the necessary permits to bring in the snakes, but that did not mean that it was right to sell it since the animal’s origin was questionable, even those sold in pet shops.