Government agencies and national partners are stepping up efforts to reduce the risk of snakebites in Saint Lucia through a new multi-agency initiative that combines public education, environmental management and emergency preparedness.
The collaboration forms part of preparations for the Community Snake Handlers Pilot Project, which will begin in Millet and includes a community clean-up scheduled for August 11, 2026, at the Tet Chime Community Center.
The initiative is being coordinated by the Division of Forestry and Land Resource Development in partnership with the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Security, the Ministry of Health, Wellness and Nutrition, the Saint Lucia National Trust and other stakeholders.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Bradley St. Ange, said the programme’s success depends on strong cooperation among government agencies and local communities.
“The success of this initiative depends on effective collaboration across government and with our communities,” St. Ange said.
He explained that each participating organization will contribute according to its area of expertise.
“The forestry division will provide technical leadership and program coordination, while our partner ministries and agencies will contribute according to their respective mandates and areas of expertise.”
Conservation Officer at the Saint Lucia National Trust, Murlina Murray, stressed that public education is one of the most important elements of the initiative, noting that many people are unable to distinguish between the island’s different snake species.
“A lot more education, public awareness needs to be done regarding the snake species in Saint Lucia,” Murray said. “A lot of people are not able to identify.”
While acknowledging that fear often causes people to react instinctively, she warned that attempting to kill a snake can place individuals at greater risk.
“Many people may say, if I see a snake, I’m not going to look to see what type it is, I will just look to kill.”
“But sometimes trying to kill the snake may be more detrimental to you as an individual.”
She said greater public understanding would help improve both personal safety and wildlife conservation.
“So I think again that public awareness is very critical on knowing our different snake species in Saint Lucia.”
Senior Medical Officer Dr Delphina Vernor also used the opportunity to remind the public that prompt medical treatment is essential following the bite of a venomous snake.
“The Ministry of Health wants the public to know that the definitive treatment for snake bite from a venomous snake, such as the Fer-de-Lance that we have in St. Lucia, is the administration of antivenom,” she said.
However, she cautioned that antivenom must only be administered in properly equipped medical facilities because of the possibility of life-threatening complications.
“Antivenom use comes with specific measures that need to be taken to ensure that it is done safely.”
“For this reason, we in St. Lucia administer antivenom only at our secondary and tertiary care facilities, which are our hospitals, the St. Jude Hospital and the OKEU Hospital at Millennium Heights Medical Complex, as well as Tapion Hospital.”
Dr Vernor explained that hospitals are equipped with the personnel and specialized resources needed to respond if patients experience severe allergic reactions.
“Giving antivenom in those facilities ensures that you have the supporting services that may become necessary during the administration process.”
“Persons may develop severe allergic reactions, which can result in death.”
“As a result, you need to have your ICU support, you need to have your specialists, you need to have all of the resuscitation medications. There are many things that you need. You need lab services. These components are only available at our hospitals.”
The Community Snake Handlers Pilot Project is expected to improve public awareness, strengthen local response capabilities and promote safer coexistence with Saint Lucia’s native snake species while reducing the incidence and impact of snakebite across vulnerable communities.