Utilising snake rescue data to understand snake-human conflict in Hooghly, West Bengal, India.

Abstract

Background: Snakebite envenoming, classified as a neglected tropical disease, poses a significant threat to life in India, where it is estimated to cause 58 000 fatalities as well as 140 000 morbidities annually. To reduce the occurrence of snakebite, we need a comprehensive understanding of human-snake conflict ecology. Snake rescue networks represent a vital resource for gathering such ecological data.

Methods: In this study, we utilised snake rescue data from 520 rescue encounters carried out by a local rescue network in Hooghly, West Bengal, from July 2020 to October 2022, to investigate patterns of human-snake conflict and the influence of climatic factors on these patterns.

Results: The spectacled cobra Naja naja was the most encountered of the five venomous species involved in 365 rescues. Our analysis revealed a significant correlation between rescue location and venomous/non-venomous encounters, with non-venomous encounters being more prevalent inside built-up locations. Rainfall on the previous day significantly increased encounters and influenced the species involved, while daily minimum temperature also influenced encounters with venomous species. We also found that both Bungarus (krait) species present were mostly encountered between 18:00 h and midnight.

Conclusions: This study highlights the multifaceted factors influencing human-snake conflicts in the region, including seasonality, geographic location, rainfall patterns, and temperature dynamics. It underscores the potential of snake rescue data as a valuable resource for deepening our understanding of regional variations in snake-human interactions.