A snakebite expert is currently raising 1,000 cobra snakes in his farm and hopes to educate the public about the serpents, Hainan Special Zone Daily reported.

Cui Guibin, from Shibi township in the city of Qionghai, Hainan province, is a local expert who has cured snake bites for 14 years.

Known as the "king of snakes," he has helped more than 600 villagers who were bitten by poisonous snakes in past years.

Cui started to raise snakes and treat bite victims in the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region 17 years ago.

He said he wants to open a facility to educate people about the snakes and their uses.

(China Daily March 2, 2009)