In the wake of a resurgence of the highly venomous Russell's viper snake in various districts of Bangladesh, experts have issued a stern warning against the spread of misinformation and unfounded panic among the public. The nearly extinct species, locally known as "Chandraboroa," has seen a marked increase in sightings in recent years, prompting a call for a balanced and fact-based approach to addressing the issue.
Abu Saeed, a renowned wildlife and snake expert who was awarded the prestigious Bangabandhu Award for Wildlife Conservation in 2023, provided valuable historical context on the prevalence of the Russell's viper in the country. He explained that the snake was rarely spotted in Bangladesh until 2013, when the first incident of a Russell's viper bite was reported in Chapainawabganj district, resulting in the victim's death.
Saeed noted that while the population of Russell's viper has increased in recent years due to human-induced interventions, such as the killing of natural predators like mongooses, monitor lizards, and birds of prey, the snake is not the most venomous species in Bangladesh. He emphasized that the Karait and Cobra snakes are considered more deadly compared to the Russell's viper.
The expert expressed grave concern over the erroneous killing of other snake species, such as pythons, due to the spread of misinformation on social media about the Russell's viper. Saeed stressed the importance of maintaining ecological balance and refraining from the indiscriminate killing of wildlife, as these predators play a crucial role in controlling the viper population.
Dr. Ahmedul Kabir, the Additional Director General of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), sought to allay public fears by reassuring the availability of adequate amounts of anti-venom in all public hospitals to treat victims of Russell's viper bites. He underscored the importance of timely medical intervention, stating that proper treatment can fully cure snakebite victims.
According to the DGHS, around 4.03 lakh people are bitten by snakes every year in Bangladesh, and 7,511 of them die from snakebites. Experts have called for a collaborative effort among relevant organizations, ministries, and non-governmental organizations to address the challenges posed by the sharp rise in Russell's viper population and the misinformation surrounding it.
