PEKAN: When Shafiq Zulkifli graduated with a diploma in mechanical engineering three years ago, his mother Saliza Sidek, 44, had high hopes of seeing him secure a job in the engineering field.
However, the 23-year-old, from Nenasi, here, had already made up his mind on what he planned to do, which prompted his mother to oppose it tooth and nail.
Known to residents of the royal town as a snake catcher, Shafiq who, works as an oil palm plantation supervisor, is often called to catch and remove poisonous reptiles from homes.
He has been bitten twice by poisonous snakes and survived after being given anti-venom serum.
The second of five siblings shrugs off those close calls as well as talk that his job might be “too risky”.
He said he had always had a deep interest in handling the reptiles.
He said he had done a lot of research on snakes and saw it as a challenge.
Shafiq said he gained a lot of knowledge from former Kuantan Municipal Council zookeeper Mohd Sabron Jamil Kamarudin, who is known for his snake-handling skills.
He said he began catching snakes some seven years ago, but hid it from his family.
He said the first snake he caught was a 5.7m king cobra in a house in Kuantan.
“After I completed my diploma at the Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Polytechnic, my mother expected me to find a job in the engineering field.
“Instead, I began to become actively involved in capturing reptiles.
“My mother did not suspect anything... she only came to know about it after I was admitted to hospital a few times due to snake bites.
“At first, she was against it, but upon realising my interest and knowledge on snakes, she gave her blessings and often reminds me now to be extra careful when I go out to catch the reptiles.
“I had been bitten on two separate occasions by a king cobra, and a jungle cobra (black cobra) and there was once when a python sunk its needle-sharp teeth into my flesh,” he said pointing at a 3cm scar on his right arm.
Shafiq said being a Malaysia Civil Defence Force (APM) volunteer had also allowed him to continue his passion to net the cold-blooded animals around Pekan.
“When the APM receives a call on a snake’s presence, I would be assigned to the scene along with the other members.
“There will usually be at least one case a month and sometimes more, especially during the hot season,” he said, adding that he would gather details on the species of the snake from those who had seen it and try to get up close to see it for himself.
“Identifying the type of snake will make it easier for me to plan my moves to capture it.
“It is always important to watch one’s movements and maintain a certain distance when attempting to catch the reptile.
“Never provoke a snake with a stick or hard objects as it will become aggressive.
“Snakes have sharp vision and are sensitive to heat and vibrations so one has to remain calm, and composed when attempting to catch it with bare hands... if one’s heart beats are too fast when nearing the snake this can pose a threat to the person’s safety,” he said.
Shafiq said he would usually keep a snake overnight to clean it and ensure that it was free from any cuts before releasing it into the wild.