TIME TO PROTECT THE PROTECTORS

Here in the deep south of the good ol` U of K, we`ve just had the driest and warmest April since records began over 340 years ago. This time last year, Mrs. Snopper and I, along with Henry the Non-Retriever, were staying at Woolacombe on the north coast of Devon. Woolacombe boasts a wonderful beach - over three miles of golden sands, backed by huge sand dunes, which have a coastal footpath running along the top. It makes for a lovely walk, with views out to sea across to Lundy Island.

Near the end of our stay, we got chatting to a local resident couple down on the beach. They had a dog too with whom Henry enjoyed a scamper through the sand and along the shoreline. The chap asked us if we had been up onto the coastal footpath and we confirmed that we had. Why? Is there a problem? Whereupon he mentioned that the dunes were overrun with adders - England`s one and only venomous reptile - and that in the Springtime, they were at their most dangerous, as the venom was at its most potent. We had had a narrow escape perhaps.

I read yesterday that this year, because of the warm, dry weather, the adder population has increased considerably....but it also mentioned that, as they are a protected species under the law, it is an offence to kill or harm them in any way. Got me thinking about protected species. Birds - no problem; butterflies - excellent idea; wild flowers - of course. But the world-wide list of protected species, in addition to adders in this country, also includes the likes of polar bears, tigers and other assorted assasins of the animal kingdom. Now, things like polar bears and tigers, despite what Heather Mills McCartney may claim, would have no compunction whatsoever in ripping your head off given half a chance. Save the tiger? You must be bonkers.

I`m absolutely convinced that it would never enter the heads of these mindless killers that humans should be given some sort of dispensation from their homicidal tendancies, just because the humans have published a list of protected species and that their names are on it.

Time to revise the list, I feel - so that next time I visit Woolacombe in Springtime, I can take a spade with me.....just in case.