Hiral Naik
Other projects
17 May 2021
Assessing Human-Snake Conflict in the North-Eastern Regions of South Africa Using Research, Education, and Engagement with Local Communities
To tackle snakebite, which is a public health issue and a neglected tropical disease, it is becoming apparent that we need a better understanding of snakebite incidences by gathering high quality information on snake behaviour and ecology and creating targeted prevention measures in rural communities through education and community outreach initiatives. To address this issue, Save The Snakes, a non-profit organisation and Hoedspruit Reptile Centre, a snake park, have created a Snake Education and Community Awareness Program which aims to engage with community members within the Kruger-to-Canyon Biosphere Reserve to mitigate human-snake conflict by educating and empowering individuals. Prevention of snakebite incidences is possible through targeted education and reduction of the fear of snakes.
A boomslang (Dispholidus typus) in a tree. ©Hiral Naik.
This project aims to train local community members to be snake ambassadors within their own local communities and create widespread knowledge about snakes to encourage harmonious living with these animals. Through our existing partnerships with local conservation organisations, we have educated learners at schools and received positive feedback over the last few years. To build on this initiative, our project will create engagement with local communities through our trained snake champions. We will train snake champions to conduct surveys and learn about the importance of snakes and their ecological roles. The snake champions will further assist us in gaining knowledge and insight on the current relationship between people and snakes and the activity of snakes in local communities. By creating a holistic approach to mitigate human-snake conflict, we hope to create improved perceptions of snakes and reduce the number of snakebite incidences that occur. The goal of this project is to bridge the gap between science and society and promote sustainable conservation practices through education and outreach. Using snakes as an example, the larger goal is to encourage local communities in Hoedspruit to protect the natural spaces that still exist for future generations.
SECAP team with Timbavati Foundation at a school education event. ©Hiral Naik.