Iraq – Carnival for reptile breeding organized in Basrah

Location: Basrah, Iraq

Language: Arabic

Duration: 00:05:14

Voice: Natural

Source: A24 News Agency

Restriction: A24 clients

Dateline: 24/03/2022

Storyline

Iraqis established the country’s first team for reptiles breeding in Basrah with the aim of educating people about the types of reptiles, especially non-poisonous snakes, and reducing their import. The team organized a carnival in Basrah Sports City, in which various types of reptiles were presented. It was attended by a large number of people who were enthusiastic about taking pictures with animals. Reptiles breeding began in the West in the 1960s but reached the Arab world only twenty years ago, according to the team leader, adding that their prices range between 300-250,000 USD depending on their types and mutation.

Shotslist

Soundbite ( Wissam Al-Baghdadi –  Reptiles breeding Team Leader):

“This hobby (breeding reptiles) may be new to people here, but it dates back to the 1960s and only reached the Arab world 20-25 years ago. There is a general misconception among people about snakes. Snakes have two types, the first is poisonous, which we do not approach at all, and the second is non-poisonous suitable for breeding, such as the one I am carrying now. We raise them in special places and under appropriate conditions. People are afraid of them at first, but they calm down when we educate them about this hobby in carnivals. This animal in my hand costs 1100 USD. When I bought this snake, for 2000 USD, it was one meter long, but now it is 3 meters. Prices vary between $300-25,000 based on their types and mutations.”

Soundbite (Mustafa Al-Tamimi – a member of the team):

“Snakes are easy to breed since they do not need a long time to take care of and, as a university student, I’m rather busy. Such species need only 15-30 minutes a day, in which we take them out, play with them, check upon them, and take their temperature. It is really important to provide them with water on a daily basis. As for food, it is enough for them once a week or even 10 days. People love snakes. This year, we will have local breeding of snakes after we were importing them.”

Soundbite ( Emad Saud-citizen):

It’s my first time attending a reptile fair. It included different types of reptiles that we’ve only seen on TV and social media. The carnival is well organized and caught my attention and attracted many interested people.”

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