Through the Save The Snakes Vijayan Devan Southeast Asian Snake Conservation Grant Program, Save The Snakes supported Syahfitri Anita to reduce the human-snake conflict in Indonesia. This project aims to educate people about the snakes of Indonesia and promote awareness using Rhabdophis as a flagship species.

Project Title:

From Fascination to Conservation: Using Rhabdophis to Inspire Young People to Discover, Research, and Conserve Snakes

Project Summary:

This project is a small-scale research and conservation initiative in southern Sulawesi, Indonesia, addressing two linked challenges: limited scientific knowledge of Sulawesi snakes and the need to inspire a new generation to engage in snake research and conservation. Indonesia has high snake diversity, yet many species remain poorly studied in terms of their distribution, ecology, habitat requirements, and conservation needs. At the same time, snakes are increasingly featured in social media and online entertainment, particularly through direct interactions with snakes. While this growing visibility can create public interest, there is a concern that snakes may increasingly be viewed primarily as objects of entertainment rather than as wildlife with important ecological roles and scientific value. This presents an opportunity to transform public fascination into scientific curiosity and responsible engagement.

Rhabdophis chrysargoides, currently assessed as Data Deficient (DD) by the IUCN, will serve as the flagship species. Field surveys will document its occurrence, habitat, and ecological associations while recording other threatened, medically important, and poorly known herpetofauna. The project will also investigate potentially important records, including Tropidolaemus laticinctus and Ophiophagus bungarus. The project will include a youth-focused workshop at a local university for at least 50 students, introducing snake diversity, ecology, conservation, and safe snake handling. By connecting research, education, and conservation, the project aims to generate baseline knowledge while inspiring young
people to look beyond fear and entertainment toward scientific discovery and snake conservation.

Aims and Objectives:

• • • • • • • • Improve Knowledge of Sulawesi’s Snakes:

Conduct an intensive field survey in selected habitats in southern Sulawesi to document Rhabdophis chrysargoides occurrences and collect information on habitat characteristics, including vegetation, water, substrate, land use, microhabitat, and potential prey availability.

Document other herpetofauna encountered during surveys, with particular attention to threatened, medically important, and poorly known species.

• • • • • • • • Build Baseline Data for Conservation:

Develop a quality-checked baseline dataset documenting Rhabdophis chrysargoides occurrences and associated habitat characteristics.

Use the resulting information to help identify species and areas requiring further research and conservation attention.

• Inspire the Next Generation of Snake Researchers:

Conduct a university workshop reaching at least 50 young people, introducing participants to snake diversity, ecology, behavior, conservation, and safe handling.

Use Rhabdophis as an example to explore evolution, adaptation, chemical defense, and venom biology while encouraging students to develop scientific questions about snakes.

• Measure Changes in Knowledge and Perceptions:

Use pre- and post-workshop questionnaires to assess changes in participants’ knowledge and perceptions of snakes.

Measure participants’ interest in further snake research, conservation activities, and herpetology following the workshop.

Goal:

The ultimate goal of this project is to generate essential baseline knowledge about Rhabdophis chrysargoides and other poorly documented snakes in Sulawesi while inspiring young people to become future researchers and conservationists.

By combining field research with hands-on education, the project will contribute both valuable ecological information and increased human capacity for snake conservation. The resulting baseline data can support future research, conservation assessments, and management, while engaging students can help build a new generation of people equipped to understand and conserve Indonesia’s diverse snake fauna.

Support Snake Conservation:

Syahfitri Anita’s project is a recipient of the 2026 Save The Snakes Vijayan Devan Southeast Asian Snake Conservation 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!