Through the Save The Snakes Support Grant Program, Save The Snakes supported Manuel Angel Galeana Rivera to reduce the conflict between humans and the vipers in Mexico. This project will gather crucial data to understand the snake’s behavior and provide education to the local community to prevent snake bites and foster conservation efforts.
Project Title:
Effects of Mitigation Translocation on Bothrops asper: Implications for Conservation and Human-Snake Conflict Management
Project Summary:
Manuel Angel Galeana Rivera’s project focuses on addressing the growing conflict between humans and the venomous viper species Bothrops asper—locally known as the Central American Bushmaster—in the Lacandona Rainforest of southern Mexico. This species is one of the leading causes of snakebites in the region, which results in the frequent killing of snakes out of fear and lack of knowledge about their ecological value.
However, indiscriminate killings of these vipers disrupt the local ecosystem and jeopardize biodiversity. These snakes play a critical role in pest control and maintaining the balance of the rainforest. Manuel’s project will use mitigation translocation, to assess how safely relocating Bothrops asper individuals can reduce human-snake conflicts while ensuring their survival and well-being.
Through radiotelemetry, the project will track the movement, habitat use, and home range of both translocated and resident vipers. In addition to this scientific approach, the project will engage local communities through workshops, educational materials, and healthcare training. The goal is to increase local knowledge about snake behavior, reduce snakebite incidents, and promote the conservation of the species, turning potential conflict into collaboration.
Aims and Objectives:
This project seeks to achieve the following:
- Track the Movement Patterns of Snakes:
Deploy radiotransmitters on 10 Bothrops asper individuals to track their movement, home range, and habitat preferences.
Compare the movement patterns of translocated snakes with resident snakes to determine the impact of long-distance translocation on snake behavior and survival.
- Reduce Human-Snake Conflict:
Implement a standardized protocol for the safe capture, handling, and relocation of snakes, ensuring minimal stress for the translocated animals.
Engage local communities in the Lacandona Rainforest to increase their awareness of the ecological role of snakes and reduce unnecessary killings of Bothrops asper.
- Enhance Community Safety and Healthcare:
Co-develop and implement snakebite response protocols in regional healthcare clinics to improve first-response practices and reduce time-to-treatment in snakebite cases.
Conduct monthly workshops for local schools and health clinics to educate community members about snake identification, prevention techniques, and safe handling practices.
- Develop Best-Practice Guidelines for Translocation:
Analyze the data collected from translocated snakes to develop evidence-based guidelines for future snake relocation efforts in similar regions.
Share findings through open-access reports and scientific publications, providing critical information for conservationists and policymakers.
Goal:
The ultimate goal of this project is to reduce the number of venomous snakebites in the Lacandona Rainforest and to promote the conservation of Bothrops asper. By understanding the movement patterns and survival of translocated snakes, the project will inform future decisions about snake relocation and conflict mitigation.
Additionally, by engaging with local communities through workshops and training, the project aims to foster a deeper appreciation for snakes and their essential role in maintaining the health of the rainforest ecosystem. With this two-pronged approach, both scientific data and community education, the project will contribute to sustainable coexistence between humans and snakes in the region.
Support Snake Conservation:
Manuel Angel Galeana Rivera’s project is a recipient of the 2025 Save The Snakes Support Grant Program. Save The Snakes Grants are made possible because of the generosity of compassionate people and organizations who are inspired and dedicated to protect threatened snake populations and mitigate human-snake conflict around the world. Please donate today to help Save The Snakes support even more snake conservationists to continue their vital work. Thank you for your support!
