PETA Demands Snakes be Taken off Marines' Menu, Cites Coronavirus Risk

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has demanded an end to snakes being killed and eaten raw at a military exercise in Thailand where US Marines regularly participate.

The "Cobra Gold" exercise in the jungles of Thailand hosted by the Thai military is often attended by US Marines and commandos of Thailand and other countries. Eating snake raw and drinking their blood is part of survival training at the exercise.

"Whether it's over drinking cobra blood together, coordinating fire support, or just sharing a meal in the field, every year Marines make friendships at every level, and strengthen the bond that the US has with Thailand," US Naval Capt. Ryan Poitras said in March of this year.

In a letter dated April 27 addressed to US Department of Defense Secretary Mark Esper, the animal rights group said: “During Cobra Gold, Marines and survival training instructors in Thailand are seen killing chickens with their bare hands, skinning and eating live geckos, consuming live scorpions and tarantulas, and decapitating cobras and drinking their blood.  These irresponsible actions put troops at risk of contracting zoonotic diseases that can endanger them and the wider public.”

Marines try some of the fruits, vegetables, herbs, insects and animals that can be found in the jungle, and are shown how to safely capture, handle and consume both venomous and nonvenomous snakes during the exercise.

“In the wilderness you can drink the blood of a snake to stay hydrated. Snakes can provide you with both the food and water you need to survive,” Royal Thai Marine Corps Master Sgt. Pairoj Prasansai, a jungle survival training instructor, said after Cobra Gold 2018 exercise.