Guardians of deadly vipers on China's Snake Island

Future of Snake Island

Life on Snake Island is not only risky but also lonely. In his busiest year, Sun spent more than 240 days with the deadly snakes. He lived in a house with many cracks in the wall, allowing snakes to easily slither through at night, and the only source of entertainment was his radio.

Yet all of these challenges fail to dampen the guardians' affection for the island and its cold-blooded dwellers. Over the past four decades, they have published nearly 100 thesis papers related to the pit vipers, and the snake population was stabilized at around 20,000 in the past decade.

With a core area of 3,565 hectares, the nature reserve only has 26 employees. It plans to introduce digital technologies in management, research and public environmental education, such as installing unmanned checkpoints and infrared cameras.

"We want to observe and study the life habits of pit vipers through infrared cameras. Currently, relevant software is being developed, and the work is expected to be completed next year," said Lin Xizhen, director of the nature reserve's administration.

In Lyushunkou district of Dalian, around 11 km away from the nature reserve, stands a museum that tells the stories behind Snake Island. The reserve will upgrade its facilities and apply 3D imaging and multimedia technologies to offer a better viewing experience for visitors to the museum. It will also install LED screens in villages with a tradition of fowling, airing promotional videos on bird protection to educate the public.

Despite having retired, Sun joined a snake population survey in May. To measure the population density of snakes on the island, Sun captured more than 200 snakes, marked their tails with nontoxic paint and then released them.

"My retirement was anything but a retreat. I hope more young people will join us to safeguard Snake Island, pit vipers and the natural environment," Sun said.

Xinhua