Through the Save The Snakes Vijayan Devan Southeast Asian Snake Conservation Grant Program, Save The Snakes supported Chairunas Adha Putra to improve knowledge and conservation of two poorly known endemic pitvipers in Sumatra, Indonesia. This project combines ecological research, investigation of human pressures including wildlife collection and trade, and community-based conservation education to help safeguard Sumatra’s unique montane snake species and promote safer coexistence between people and snakes.
Project Title:
Safeguarding Sumatra’s Endemic Montane Pitvipers through Ecological Research and Community-Based Conservation
Project Summary:
Chairunas Adha Putra’s project focuses on two poorly known pitvipers endemic to Sumatra: Trimeresurus gunaleni and Craspedocephalus andalasensis. The project will take place across two important montane landscapes in North Sumatra—the Mount Sibayak forest, the type locality of T. gunaleni, and the Toba Highlands/Toba Massif, where C. andalasensis has historically been recorded.
Despite their restricted distributions and limited scientific information, little is known about the ecology, population status, and threats facing these snakes. The project will conduct targeted ecological surveys to document their occurrence, habitat, elevation, microhabitat, and natural history. It will also investigate potential pressures from wild collection through interviews with snake keepers, collectors, and knowledgeable local informants, alongside monitoring of publicly accessible online trade.
Research findings will be translated into conservation education for local communities and schoolchildren living near pitviper habitats. Through outreach activities, the project will promote snakebite prevention, discourage unnecessary killing of snakes, and increase understanding of the ecological and conservation importance of Sumatra’s endemic snakes.
Aims and Objectives:
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- Improve Knowledge of Endemic Pitvipers:
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Conduct standardized ecological surveys in the Mount Sibayak and Toba Highlands landscapes to document the occurrence, elevation, habitat, microhabitat, environmental conditions, and natural history of Trimeresurus gunaleni and Craspedocephalus andalasensis.
Generate contemporary baseline information for two poorly studied endemic species and identify areas where additional research and conservation action are needed.
- Understand Human Pressures and Wildlife Trade:
Conduct interviews with approximately 3–5 snake keepers, collectors, and knowledgeable informants to investigate collection practices, motivations, sourcing, and attitudes toward conservation.
Monitor publicly accessible online sources for at least six months to document whether and how the two focal species are offered in trade.
- Promote Community-Based Snake Conservation:
Engage local communities and schoolchildren living around Mount Sibayak and the Toba Highlands through targeted conservation education.
Education activities will focus on snake identification, safe responses to snake encounters, snakebite prevention, reducing unnecessary killing, and understanding the ecological importance of snakes.
- Measure Conservation Education Outcomes:
Reach at least 40 schoolchildren and/or local community members in Berastagi and use pre- and post-activity assessments to measure changes in snakebite-prevention knowledge, responses to snake encounters, and conservation attitudes.
- Develop Conservation Recommendations:
Combine ecological research, information about human pressures, and community engagement to establish baseline evidence and practical recommendations for the conservation of Sumatra’s endemic montane pitvipers. The project will also produce educational materials and a final report to support future monitoring and conservation activities.
Goal:
The ultimate goal of this project is to improve understanding and conservation of Sumatra’s endemic montane pitvipers while promoting safer coexistence between people and snakes.
By combining ecological research with investigation of human pressures and community education, the project will establish baseline information about Trimeresurus gunaleni and Craspedocephalus andalasensis while addressing potential threats from habitat change, collection, trade, and unnecessary killing. The project will also establish field protocols, datasets, community relationships, and conservation materials that can support continued monitoring and education beyond the one-year grant period.
Support Snake Conservation:
Chairunas Adha Putra’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!
