Chinese villagers arm themselves with wooden clubs after sacks of snakes released in neighbourhood

People in a Sichuan village have begun carrying wooden clubs when they go outside after more than 150 snakes were illegally released into the wild in July, a mainland news website reported.

Large numbers of snakes have appeared in and around the village of Shuangdian in Mianyang, Sichuan province, leaving local residents afraid of going outside, especially to the mountains, the Chengdu Business Daily reported.

Four strange men drove to the village about 10 days ago and left more than 10 sacks of snakes there. After they opened the bags, the snakes spread and became a threat in the village, 82-year-old villager Zhao Chaoxiu said.

Zhao said she had to carry a wooden club when outdoors to prevent a snake attack.

The village director Li Bin said villagers usually collect herbs on the mountains in July and August but they were afraid to enter the area because of the snakes.