Through the Save The Snakes Vijayan Devan Southeast Asian Snake Conservation Grant Program, Save The Snakes supported Heri Tarmizi in 2024 to address the increasing human-snake conflicts in Banda Aceh, Indonesia through education and community engagement. By equipping local residents and emergency responders with the skills to safely handle and relocate snakes, the initiative fosters a culture of coexistence between humans and wildlife.

Project Title:

Urban Serpent Rescue Initiative

Project Summary:

Heri Tarmizi’s “Urban Serpent Rescue Initiative” is designed to address the growing number of human-snake conflicts in the urban areas of Banda Aceh, Indonesia. As the city expands into natural habitats such as rivers, mangroves, and swamps, encounters with snakes like pythons and cobras have become increasingly common. These snakes play an important role in controlling rodent populations, but they are often killed out of fear when they enter residential or public areas. The project seeks to educate the local community on safe ways to handle and rescue snakes, thereby protecting both humans and snakes.

The initiative will collaborate with local firefighting squads and snake experts to conduct workshops and training sessions. These sessions will teach participants how to safely identify and handle snakes, as well as how to properly relocate them to natural habitats. The project also includes outreach programs in schools to raise awareness among younger generations about the importance of snakes in the ecosystem. By educating both the public and emergency responders, the Urban Serpent Rescue Initiative aims to foster a safer and more harmonious coexistence between humans and snakes in Banda Aceh.

Aims and Objectives:

The main objective of this project is to reduce the number of snake-related emergencies in Banda Aceh by educating the community about snake behavior and safety. This will be achieved through a series of workshops and training sessions that teach participants how to handle snake encounters in a safe, non-lethal manner. These sessions will target not only the general public but also first responders, such as firefighters, who are often the first to arrive at the scene of a snake encounter. The goal is to create a network of trained individuals who can respond effectively to snake-related incidents while minimizing harm to both people and snakes.

In addition to practical training, the project will also focus on raising awareness about the ecological role that snakes play in urban environments. School outreach programs will be a key part of this effort, teaching students about the importance of snakes in controlling pest populations and maintaining ecosystem balance. By fostering a greater understanding of snakes, the project aims to reduce fear-driven responses and promote safe coexistence between humans and wildlife in the urban areas of Banda Aceh.

Goal:

The primary goal of the Urban Serpent Rescue Initiative is to create a safer environment for both humans and snakes in Banda Aceh by reducing snake-related emergencies and snake killings. This will be achieved by training a network of individuals who are knowledgeable about snake behavior and safe handling practices. By equipping local firefighters and community members with the skills needed to manage snake encounters, the project aims to minimize the risk of snakebites and reduce unnecessary harm to snake populations.

In the long term, the initiative seeks to change public perception of snakes, promoting them as valuable components of the ecosystem rather than threats. Through education and outreach, the project will encourage the community to view snakes as allies in controlling pests like rats, rather than as dangerous invaders. Success will be measured through a reduction in snake-related incidents, increased participation in training sessions, and positive changes in public attitudes toward snakes.

Support Snake Conservation:

Heri Tarmizi’s project is a recipient of the 2024 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!