Every year since the mid 1960s, the town of Freer, Texas has
hosted the Freer Rattlesnake Roundup during the last weekend of
April. Promoted as the "premier music and entertainment event
in South Texas," the roundup is a two-day event that attracts
tens of thousands of people to this small town, where the
emphasis is on family fun.
But in reality, the Freer Rattlesnake Roundup is a grossly
inhumane and environmentally destructive event. It teaches
reckless behavior towards rattlesnakes, unnecessarily bringing
members of the public into close contact with venomous
reptiles.
In preparation for such events, snakes—mainly western
diamondback rattlesnakes—are driven from their dens with toxic
chemicals. They are then held for weeks or months without food
and water in crowded and unsanitary conditions.
Rattlesnake roundups are particularly inhumane once the
public event begins. HSUS investigators have attended roundups
in the Lone Star State, and in several other states, that
include "daredevil" shows and "sacking" contests. The snakes
are often kicked, stomped on, and whipped. After the events,
the snakes may be publicly slaughtered by decapitation, a
particularly inhumane method of killing reptiles given that
western diamondbacks have been known to remain conscious for up
to 65 minutes after decapitation.
Not only are rattlesnake roundups cruel, but they also cause
environmental damage. The toxic chemicals and gasoline used to
collect most snakes for Texas roundups contaminate local
groundwater sources, and are destructive to all wildlife that
come in contact with them. Burrows used by snakes and other
wildlife, including federally protected species, are destroyed.
What's more, snakes are frequently transported far from where
they are collected; if they are not killed, the snakes are
released and become established in areas where they did not
previously exist, thereby disturbing the balance of that
ecosystem.
The organizers of the Freer Rattlesnake Roundup boast that
they are helping to relieve local ranchers, who claim their
livestock is threatened by rattlesnakes. But studies conducted
by physicians, biologists, and veterinarians have shown that
the number of livestock deaths from rattlesnake bites is
negligible. Furthermore, rattlesnake roundups actually increase
the number of humans bitten.
Because snake bites are not uncommon, communities in which
roundups occur frequently bear the costs of medical treatment,
reducing local supplies of antivenin. Furthermore, the
rattlesnake meat sold at roundups is often from snakes killed,
prepared and cooked under unsanitary conditions. The handlers,
the cooks and the consumers are all at risk of harmful
bacterial infection and parasites.
What You Can Do
Tell the Freer Chamber of Commerce to stop sponsoring the
Freer Rattlesnake Roundup. Point out that roundups are
inhumane, environmentally destructive, and pose a public health
hazard by bringing individuals into contact with venomous
animals and by giving the public—children in
particular—dangerous notions about snake handling.
In addition, tell John Herron, chief of the Wildlife
Diversity Branch of the Texas Department of Parks and Wildlife,
to take immediate action to end rattlesnake roundups in Texas
for the safety of the public and the environment.
Contact Information
Freer Chamber of Commerce
P.O. Box 717
Freer, TX 78357
Texas Department of Parks and Wildlife/Wildlife Diversity
Branch
Chief John Herron
4200 Smith School Rd.
Austin, TX 78744
