Snake Awareness Training at Sarara Camps
Did you know? Snakes account for 44.8% of all human-animal conflict cases in Kenya.
We were thrilled to host a snake-awareness workshop at Sarara for staff and community members.
During March 2023, we had the wonderful privilege of hosting the Taylor Ashe Anti-Venom Foundation (TAAF) for a snake awareness training workshop. We were thrilled to participate in this important initiative, which is crucial for preventing snake bites and reducing the negative impact of snake envenomation on communities throughout Kenya and Sub-Saharan Africa.
As many may not know, there are over 1,000 deaths from snake bites every year in Kenya alone, and snakebite envenomation accounts for 44.8% of all human-animal conflict cases in Kenya. It’s estimated that an additional 3,000-4,000 Kenyans face disfigurement, amputation, or years of psychological trauma in the same time frame. Similar statistics can be found across much of Africa.
We might not think of it that way, but a snakebite is a potentially life-threatening, neglected tropical disease that disproportionately affects the poorest and most marginalized communities.
Globally, an estimated 138,000 people die each year from snake envenomation, and upwards of 500,000 individuals face permanent disability, disfigurement, or mental trauma. A key strategy to reduce deaths and disabilities from snakebites includes community education on prevention, snake identification, handling, and first aid.
During the two-day workshop at Sarara Camps, TAAF provided our staff and community members with essential knowledge and practical skills for preventing snakebites and responding to snakebites in the event they occur.
On Day 1, Sarara staff members received a brief overview of different families of snakes, snake behaviour, fang types, venoms and how they work, snake identification, and common myths surrounding snakes. The trainers also provided information on what snake bites look like in Kenya and which snakes account for the majority of bites in the area.
On Day 2, the Sarara team learned about snakebite first aid and how to respond immediately following a snakebite. They also received training on identifying dangerous scorpions and how to deal with bites and stings. The workshop included an audiovisual presentation, practical demonstration, and hands-on experience for some participants in performing safe "hands-off" removal of venomous snakes.
On Day 3 and 4, the TAAF team visited Reteti Elephant Sanctuary and two manyattas, Loigama and Tintill. Over 150 community members attended the training session. The training included a condensed version of the previous two days’ sessions, but did not include snake handling. Thus, education, identification, snake bite responses etc.
The feedback from both Sarara staff and community members was overwhelmingly positive, with participants finding the training engaging, informative, and beneficial. The training has given everyone a base level understanding of snakes, snake bites and what one needs to do when someone is bitten.
The training was an essential initiative for promoting snakebite prevention and reducing the negative impact of snake envenoming in indigenous communities in Northern Kenya. We are grateful to TAAF for providing this important training, and we look forward to continuing our collaboration to promote snake awareness and education in the future.
