Repurposed drug offers hope to snakebite victims

Every year, venomous snakebite affects more than 2 million people and causes an estimated 138,000 deaths. It is also responsible for two to three times as many permanent disabilities and in 2017 the World Health Organisation finally designated venomous snakebite as a category A neglected tropical disease. Currently the only specific treatment for snakebite is […]

Man Eating Snakes

There is no doubt that there are several snake species which are large enough to eat a human but how often does it occur? The internet abounds with false stories which make it difficult to separate fact from fiction. Out of the world’s largest snake species, four tend to crop up in the news more […]

A Wild Life funds tiger conservation project

In the last couple of years Sumatra has seen a rise in incidences of human-tiger conflict, despite there being less than 500 tigers left in the wild. Habitat destruction for timber and palm oil production, combined with poaching of tiger prey species for food are thought to be the biggest contributors. In November last year […]

Sumatran tiger killed in snare

Residents living close to the Semidang Bukit Kabu protected forest in the Seluma regency have reported the death of a Sumatran tiger. Inspection of the body shows that the animal had been trapped in a snare. The Seluma police chief said they received a report from 38 year old Ridwan Fauzi who discovered the body […]

Relocating Black Mambas in Swaziland

The following true story is re-blogged with permission from Thea Litschka-Koen from the Swaziland Antivenom Foundation. It’s early February, the weather is unbearably hot and humid. I am absolutely exhausted after a long day at Simunye Club; and call-outs to remove problematic snakes have been endless. It’s only 18:00, but I have already rescued 6 […]

Snakebite in Swaziland: Q&A with Thea Litschka-Koen

Snakebite is a neglected ‘disease’ of circumstance, that primarily affects some of the world’s poorest people. Bites are common in rural areas of tropical and sub-tropical developing countries and often affect agricultural workers and children. Antivenoms are essential in the treatment of dangerous snake bites, yet they are expensive and require refrigeration, making them difficult […]

Giant python eats man in Sulawesi (graphic!)

A large reticulated python (Malaypython reticulatus) has killed and swallowed a man in Salubiro, Karossa district, West Sulawesi, Indonesia. 25 year old Akbar was attacked and killed by the 7m (23ft) snake, whilst he was harvesting palm oil. He had been reported missing to the police 24 hours previously and whilst searching for him, villagers […]