Over 40 to enter snake taming contest

Over 40 to enter snake taming contest

KUALA LUMPUR (AP): More than 40 snake tamers have a chance to win a $2,000 top prize if they're especially adept at such maneuvers as kissing cobras. And they don't have to bring their own snakes to the contest.

The international contest is scheduled for Sept. 14 at a stadium in Kangar, 450 kilometers northwest of Kuala Lumpur. The tamers will compete in teams of four, Abdul Rahim Sudin, manager of the Sungai Batu Pahat Snake and Reptile Farm, said yesterday.

He said the contest has been organized by the Perlis state government as part of Malaysia's National Day celebrations. For the contest, he added, the organizers will provide 6-meter- long king cobras and pythons, common cobras, vipers and nonpoisonous snakes.

Entries include Ronald Lindzay William from New Zealand, Marcel Such of Switzerland, Yoko Snakes of Japan, Thomas Snakes Charmer of Britain and the Yale Snakes of Australia, said Abdul Rahim, who is helping in organizing the contest.