This is for transparency purposes. If you can no longer see the post about the Luzon king cobra spotted at a ricefield in Mountain Province, it's because I deleted it, as per request of the barangay where the snake was seen. They didn't want to cause panic among the public. And for further verification by the DENR-BMB (Biodiversity Management Bureau).
I understand the concerns of the barangay. I respect their decision, that's why I removed the post.
However, I would like to reiterate the importance of public discussions about wildlife. Instances like these are great opportunities for public awareness and education. They can serve as launchpads for conversations about the Luzon king cobra.
Like where does it live? What does it eat? How venomous is it? What should you do if you encounter one? What should you do if you get bitten? Are there anti-venom available anywhere? Why are these snakes being seen all over Benguet and Mountain Province? Are they native here? Were they always here?
For example, I only recently learned that the Luzon king cobra is a newly described species. Last year lang ito officially recognized as a new species. That's something I would've not known if not for the open discussions about these things.
