Madras Crocodile Bank Trust & the Irula Snake Catcher's Society

Article released on January 02, 2023

Every 12 minutes, a person dies in India from a snakebite. It has been India's most ignored health issue. Snakebite is a serious problem, especially in rural India where numerous highly poisonous species are commonly found in and around agricultural fields. The most severe and lethal bites, accounting for 95% of all snakebite deaths in India, are caused by four snake species, known as the 'Big four'. They are

Venomous snake bites can result in severe local tissue damage, shock, paralysis, bleeding, acute kidney injury, and other acute medical issues that, if ignored, can be deadly or result in lifelong impairment. By having prompt access to safe and efficient antivenoms, the majority of deaths and severe effects from snakebite envenomation (exposure to venom toxins from the bite) may be avoided. Envenomation and snakebite mortality are largely neglected topics in global health.

However, in 2017, the World Health Organization (WHO) identified snakebite as a significant problem for public health and has listed it as a 'Neglected Tropical Disease' in developing nations.

The WHO also unveiled a plan for the prevention and control of snakebites in 2019, with the goal of halving the number of fatalities and incidents of severe impairment by 2030 compared to the baseline year of 2015. India, which accounts for over half of all snakebite deaths worldwide, will need to make significant progress in order to achieve this objective.

Though the precise number of snakebites is unclear, estimates indicate that, among the 5.4 million persons who've had snakebites, up to 2.7 million may have been envenomated annually eventually causing death. Every year, between 81,000 and 1,38,000 individuals pass away, followed by amputations and other permanent impairments caused by snakebites.

Deaths among young people aged 10 - 30 years have a negative impact on both households and the nation as a whole due to the loss of economically productive members of society. Pregnant women are particularly vulnerable to experiencing hemorrhage and miscarriage as a result of being bitten by a venomous snake. According to previous studies, in many parts of South Asia, only half of the snakebite victims reach a healthcare facility within 6 hours. This delay in seeking treatment often leads to 70-80% of fatalities.

The Registrar General of India's Million Death Study (RGI-MDS) estimates that the number of annual deaths from venomous snakebites in India ranges from 45,900 to 50,900, with nearly 97% of these deaths occurring in rural areas. According to the RGI-MDS, the states with the highest number of snakebite deaths are West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Bihar, and Maharashtra. These deaths often occurred while the victims were sleeping (30%), playing (30%), or engaged in outdoor or field activities (28%).

A district-level analysis conducted from 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 found that snakebite was most prevalent in districts located in the southern states of India. Specifically, districts in Maharashtra (14 districts), West Bengal (12 districts), Andhra Pradesh (9 districts), Tamil Nadu (8 districts), Telangana (2 districts), Odisha (2 districts), and Uttar Pradesh (2 districts) reported higher rates of snakebite in India during these two consecutive years.

Purba Medinipur district in West Bengal and Nashik in Maharashtra had the highest number of snakebite cases in India in 2018-2019, with 4,904 and 4,294 cases, respectively. In 2018-2019, districts in Maharashtra such as Palghar (3,204), Thane (2,655), Kolhapur (2,298), Pune (2,102), Ratnagiri (1,994), and Jalgaon (1,842) had higher numbers of snakebite cases compared to other districts in the state. Similarly, in West Bengal, the districts of Purba Bardhhaman (4,119), Nadia (3,025), Bankura (2,912), Murshidabad (2,514), and Hugli (2,394) reported more cases in the state compared to other districts.

In Andhra Pradesh, East Godavari (2,612), Krishna (2,367), Srikakulam (2,212), West Godavari (2,184), Vishakhapatnam (1,836), and Chittoor (1,479) districts reported high numbers of snakebite cases. In Tamil Nadu, Cuddalore (2,598), Vellore (2,454), Viluppuram (2,005), and Kancheepuram (1,965) districts had high numbers of snakebite cases.

In other states, Palakkad (1,300) in Kerala, Sitamarhi (2,186) in Bihar, Bhadrak (2,065) and Jajpur (2,961) in Odisha, and Sultanpur (1,062) and Ambedkar Nagar (1,065) in Uttar Pradesh also reported high numbers of snakebite cases.

All these statistics are alarming, especially in light of the fact that nations like the United States of America and Australia record 10-12 deaths per year from poisonous snakebites. Australia is less populous, yet it has more venomous snakes than other countries.

Some snakebite victims turn to unqualified practitioners or traditional healers for treatment, which can further endanger their health. In hospitals, snakebite victims are typically given antivenom to treat the bite. Although there is an antivenom available to treat snakebites, called polyvalent antivenom, there is a lack of public awareness about the drug, and its distribution is insufficient. This can make it difficult for snakebite victims to access this life-saving treatment.

The Madras Crocodile Bank Trust (MCBT) and its partners have launched a snakebite project that includes venom sampling and research, mapping of snake and snakebite treatment centers, and a nationwide campaign to raise awareness about snakebite prevention and treatment. The goal of this project is to reduce the number of snakebite incidents and improve outcomes for snakebite victims.

The Madras Crocodile Bank Trust (MCBT) helped the Irula tribal community, who were previously involved in the snake-hunting industry for the snakeskin trade, to establish the Irula Snake-Catchers Cooperative Society.

This society, which operates under licenses from the Wildlife Department, involves Irula snake catchers in the Chinglepet area capturing, extracting, and freeze-drying venom from snakes, which is then sold to antivenom-producing laboratories such as the Haffkine Institute. The snakes are released back into the wild after three extractions.

This project, which was funded and recognized with awards, has been a pioneer in the field of sustainable resource use and has been in operation for over 40 years. The venom produced by the Irula Snake-Catchers Cooperative Society has been used in the majority of India's antivenom production.

The group was founded in 1979 by Romulus Whitaker, the founder of the Madras Crocodile Bank Trust, in order to provide a sustainable livelihood for the Irula tribe, a marginalized community in the region. The Irula Snake-Catchers Cooperative Society is made up of trained professionals who are skilled in capturing and safely handling venomous snakes.

They are called upon by local authorities and individuals to remove snakes from homes, gardens, and other areas where they may pose a threat to humans. The snake catchers use a variety of methods to safely capture the snakes, including hooks, tongs, and traps.

In addition to their work as snake catchers, the Irula Snake-Catchers Cooperative Society is also involved in snake conservation efforts. The group works to educate the public about the importance of snakes in the ecosystem and the need to coexist with them.

The Madras Crocodile Bank Trust and Centre for Herpetology is a non-profit organization located in Mamallapuram, Tamil Nadu, India. Romulus Whitaker, a herpetologist, established the foundation in 1976 with the goal of saving crocodile and alligator species, as well as other reptiles, through breeding and research programs.

It was founded in an effort to safeguard and conserve endangered crocodile populations. For the past 30 years, the trust's founders and affiliated researchers have been conducting studies on crocodile behavior, habitat, and ecology in order to fulfill its goal. This research tremendously aided them in developing and implementing various conservation strategies for crocodile habitat protection. One of the trust's early triumphs was the breeding and release of two endangered crocodile species, the Indian Saltwater Crocodile and the Gharial. It began to serve as a living genetic repository for crocodiles.

In addition to its research and conservation efforts, the Madras Crocodile Bank Trust also operates an education center and runs a number of public awareness and outreach programs. The organization hosts school groups, community groups, and other visitors, and offers a range of educational resources and activities aimed at increasing awareness about reptile conservation and the importance of sustainable resource use.

The Crocodile Bank currently comprises of a major reptile park near Chennai, Southern India. The zoo receives almost 500,000 visitors every year, making it one of the most popular tourist destinations.

Snakebite-related morbidity and mortality can be prevented and avoided through proper medical intervention in developing countries. Snakebites are an underestimated cause of accidental death in India that should be addressed through health policy. Improving access to antivenom, emergency transportation, and proper first aid measures at primary healthcare facilities can reduce the number of fatalities caused by snakebites in the country. The Irula Snake Catchers Community is doing a tremendous job utilizing their professional and personal experience in producing the raw material required for generating antivenom saving thousands of lives every day.

I suggest visiting the Madras Crocodile Bank Trust as well as the Irula Snake Catchers Society when you are in Chennai to experience and get aware of the vast knowledge the people are having at this place and get educated in the process. If you are interested to know more about this organization do click the button below. If you are interested in donating to the Irula Snake Catchers Society and support their noble work do click the link below.

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3. 70% of snakebite victims in rural India do not seek treatment in hospitals, finds a new study (gaonconnection.com)

4. (15) (PDF) Snakebite Mitigation Project of the Madras Crocodile Bank/Centre for Herpetology, India: background and a brief summary of activities (researchgate.net)