Not only is this illegal in many places, but it often serves little purpose. This kind of information was clearly not discovered through photography, or by following specimens around in the field. Again, not by taking photographs that were examined by experts. Collecting specimens is critically important to supporting field observations. They serve a major purpose.
Verification is a dominant theme in scientific methodology.
Identification of many taxa is not easily accomplished. Southeast Asian green pit vipers of the genus Trimeresurus are a case in point, and one of some concern considering these snakes are of medical importance. Clearly, identification of these two snakes is not easily accomplished. Scientific collecting is vitally important to improving knowledge and conserving gene pools. In the area of herpetology, much of the collecting has been done not by the few professional herpetologists, but by many interested amateurs who understand its importance.