Snake researcher’s untimely demise

Snake researcher’s untimely demise is first death in UK in 150 years

Press Release - Federation of British Herpetologists
For immediate release 29.06.2011

Luke Yeomans, one of the UK’s foremost and most respected venomous snake experts, has sadly passed away whilst administering to one of his beloved animals. Full details of the circumstances of this tragic event are as yet unclear but his family can take comfort in the knowledge that he died, as he had lived, caring for the king cobras which he had dedicated his life to protecting.

Mr Yeomans had established a sanctuary for the king cobra, the world’s largest venomous snake, which is sadly endangered in the wild and he felt passionately that captive-breeding was an imperative safety net in the face of potential species extinction. His enthusiasm and passion for king cobras and his in-depth knowledge, built up over a lifetime of experience, was the focus of his life and it is hoped that the legacy of his contribution to their conservation will live on after his untimely demise.

Whilst this is undoubtedly a great tragedy, Mr Yeomans was a licensed venomous snake keeper who accepted the implicit risks involved and considered this justifiable in the face of his invaluable contribution to science. Like many others at the forefront of their chosen field, Luke pushed boundaries and paid the ultimate price for his work and his death follows many in the fields of sport and human endeavour who have gone before him.

Sadly, Luke was the first snake-keeper in the UK to lose his life whilst pursuing his passion but it is important not to let knee-jerk reactions to a tragic situation lead to a witch hunt against the animals to which he showed so much dedication.

Chris Newman
Chairman Federation of British Herpetologists

Tel: 023 8044 0999
Mobile: 07897 692060
E-mail: chris-newman@cviewmedia.com

I too am very saddened by Lukes untimely demise.
But really ??? "Press Release - Federation of British Herpetologists" press release to who?? Please dont start your games and take advantage of what has turned out to be a very sad loss to the reptile world.

R.I.P Luke

Chris Newman wrote:: 'Full details of the circumstances of this tragic event are as yet unclear...'

That may be, although I'm sure that all responsible venomous snake keepers will speculate on the manner of Mr. Yeoman's demise. Please refer to: http://www.venomland.net/t2684-im-inviting-anyone-i . Sincerely, Jon Davidson .

Folks: once again,please try to remember that there is a grieving family out there, and they may at some point decide to see what the reaction of the herp community was after Luke's passing. Everyone is entitled to their views, and there are plenty of places and times to express them, but right now and in a thread on this topic, if people have nothing positive to say, then it might be a good time to say nothing at all.

Wolfgang Wüster wrote:: Folks: once again,please try to remember that there is a grieving family out there, and they may at some point decide to see what the reaction of the herp community was after Luke's passing. Everyone is entitled to their views, and there are plenty of places and times to express them, but right now and in a thread on this topic, if people have nothing positive to say, then it might be a good time to say nothing at all.

Any readers will please excuse my wish to be honest about the behaviour of Mr. Yeoman in relation to the manner in which he choose to handle live, venomouus snakes with his bare hands; but this guy seemed to me to be a complete fake and fraud. 'The Kiss of Death'- is this guy for real? and have a look at his avatar in the link that was provided. I believe that we all know in our hearts what the Truth was about the sincerity and genuineness of Mr. Yeoman. I understand that this individual's recent death has caused strong feelings of loss and sadness for many people here in this community, and those feelings must be respected; however, if Mr. Yeoman's friends and family wish an unvarnished 'reaction' about the circumstances surrounding the death of their friend from this member of the community, they are most welcome to it- just as they are most welcome to take whatever solace they can from the many members here who expressed their condolences. Hopefully, everyone here on this site will be permitted to express their point of view openly and candidly on this important Current Event in our little world and how it will effect us. Sincerely, Jon Davidson .

I don't necessarily disagree with your comments about the risks of free handling vens, but there is a time and place. Putting those comments in this thread is inappropriate. A man is dead, surely the best thing is to leave him be.

Simon Ball wrote:: I don't necessarily disagree with your comments about the risks of free handling vens, but there is a time and place. Putting those comments in this thread is inappropriate. A man is dead, surely the best thing is to leave him be.

I'm heartened to know that you can appreciate the merit of my point of view, Mr. Ball. Thank you for your perspective. I agree with Mr. Zurcher's suggestion in the companion discussion on this incident that, at the appropriate juncture, a conversation on the safe and responsible handling of live venomous snakes would be a worthwhile endeavour for the community of responsible venomous snake keepers- particularly for the younger generations coming up. Everyone has to leave Mr. Yeoman alone now, since he's gone forever. His death is tragic because it was so senseless. He could have given us all so much more. Sincerely, Jon Davidson .

Jon Davidson wrote:: Everyone has to leave Mr. Yeoman alone now, since he's gone forever. His death is tragic because it was so senseless. He could have given us all so much more. Sincerely, Jon Davidson .

if it wasn't for the respect I have for this Forum I'd call you a two faced twat

you visciously attack a guy you never knew you generalise his king cobra husbandry as "venomous snake handling" you can not categorise King Cobra's with other venomous snakes large kings need to be handled with a minimum of restraint or you will injure them few people can keep King cobras due to their size so few people will ever understand that, those people who do keep them have difficulty keeping them alive let alone breed them having a total of 33 adult king cobras did it not occur to you thats some were more placid than others! of course not you do not know anything about King Cobras Do you? Do you honestly think he handled his Mambas and Taipans the same way?

I'm confused if you had so much contempt for the guy why did you complement him on the article about heloderma bite release technique?!!

I guess you have nothing better to do than stick you 2 cents worth in every discussion and topic going

apologies to other members and moderators but do we really have to put up with such drivle.
and for the record his name is Luke Yoemans not Yoeman or Yoeman's- Yoemans

Tim Hallam wrote:: if it wasn't for the respect I have for this Forum I'd call you a two faced twat

This is not the style at least I want to read here, sorry!

Quote :: and for the record his name is Luke Yoemans not Yoeman or Yoeman's- Yoemans

Yeomans - as far as i know.

and yes, Guenter is right, we don't want that style here!

And i don't want any further discussions about the snake handling methods of Luke, not at this time and this place!!!!!
Respect is the key word, gents, please be considerate of his close friends and his family in these days - otherwise i will close here!

Thank you!
regards
Peter

apologies

Luke was a close personal friend we'd been buddies for 26 years.
I am currently going through the whole range of emotions, today is anger.

regards Tim Hallam.

That's okay, Tim, i understand that.

I will not tolerate any further personal attacks or remarks here, from no side of the fence!
I think Luke himself wouldn't like that - and our thoughts should be with his family in these days.

Peter

Very tragic and a big loss. Hopefully not for the Kings and the sancuary. Really sad.
My condolences to his family.

Rgrds, Ro.

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