The Government is ramping up efforts to reduce snake bite incidents in communities affected by increased Fer-de-Lance activity, with officials turning to public education, environmental management and community partnerships as key pillars of a longer-term response.
The latest initiative took place in Millet and Tête Chemin, where officials from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Security and the Forestry Department met with residents to discuss strategies aimed at improving public safety while addressing growing concerns over snake encounters. The engagement follows a series of incidents in the community, including one involving a young girl who was bitten by a Fer-de-Lance, underscoring the urgency of strengthening preparedness at the community level.
Rather than treating snake encounters solely as an emergency response issue, the Ministry is seeking to build local capacity by equipping residents with the knowledge and practical skills needed to minimise risks before incidents occur. Officials also used the opportunity to hear directly from residents, whose experiences and recommendations are expected to inform future interventions.
Permanent Secretary in the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Security, Bradley St. Ange, said the meeting formed part of a broader action plan to reassure residents while strengthening the Ministry’s response.
“Today, we just wanted to inform the residents of Millet, Tete Chemin, of our action plan going forward in terms of managing the snake issue that we have and we also wanted to reassure them that protecting their health and their well-being is top priority for the Ministry of Agriculture. We welcome the questions, we welcome the comments, we also welcome the recommendations.
You know, they also made recommendations and the people of Millet, they really made some good recommendations which I have taken note of, all right, and I will incorporate those recommendations in our action plans.”
Among the initiatives discussed were community-based snake awareness workshops, practical snake management training, the establishment of trained community snake handlers and expanded public education campaigns. Officials also highlighted the importance of organised community clean-up activities, noting that reducing overgrown vegetation and other potential snake habitats can significantly decrease the likelihood of human-snake encounters.
The Forestry Department, which plays a central role in managing wildlife and conserving biodiversity, stressed that public safety remains paramount even as efforts continue to protect the island’s native ecosystems. Acting Chief Forest Officer, Dr. Donatian Gustave, said the Department’s involvement reflects its commitment to balancing environmental conservation with the protection of human life.
“Forestry has an invested interest in not only conserving biodiversity but in particular conserving human life. The welfare of human beings is critical. Today we are at Millet not only to speak to one of the recent persons whose daughter was bitten but to also meet the community with a view of letting them know what are the steps going forward to manage this current wave of incidents of Fer de Lance.”
The outreach forms part of what officials describe as an ongoing, community-centred approach to snake management, recognising that reducing snake bite incidents requires collaboration between government agencies and residents alike.
In a recent press briefing, The Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries Food Security and Sustainable Development noted that sightings are on the rise with neighboring island to the north noting twice as many sightings as compared to us here in Saint Lucia noting that “their scientists together with ours are attributing this to the warmer climate.” Her Ministry continues to “encourage the public to engage in some form of cleanliness” to help with spotting reptiles and reducing the incidence of rodents which attract snakes.
As concerns over snake encounters continue in several rural communities, the Ministry says it will maintain its outreach efforts while working alongside residents to develop practical, sustainable solutions that protect both lives and Saint Lucia’s unique biodiversity.