Case Study
Saving Sombrero - Resurrection of a unique Caribbean wildlife haven
A Caribbean island brought back from the brink of ecological collapse in a ground-breaking conservation project.
The Saint Lucia fer de lance is an endangered pit viper that is widely feared because of its potentially deadly bite. Fauna & Flora is working to improve public understanding of the fer de lance, including how to avoid a snakebite and what to do if someone is bitten.
Our work with Saint Lucia fer de lance
Fauna & Flora provides technical support to implement a management plan to reduce the number of snake bites and snake-related deaths. We engage with a range of stakeholders in Saint Lucia, including the Ministry of Health, to provide protective footwear, streamline access to effective antivenom treatment and update school textbooks with information on snake bite first aid and instructions on what to do if you encounter a snake.
Fer De Lance © Jeremy Holden / Fauna & Flora
Project goals
We aim to reduce the number of snake bites on Saint Lucia by at least 80% and prevent human deaths and disabilities from snake bites while also ensuring that the national population of fer de lance is stable, and its benefits are better understood.
Project partners
This project is delivered in partnership with Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, the Saint Lucia National Trust and the Saint Lucia Forestry Department.
Protecting people, saving snakes
We’re helping Saint Lucians to co-exist safely with the endangered snake that shares their home.
Please support our species recovery plan for the Saint Lucia fer de lance.
DonateFer der Lance © Jeremy Holden / Fauna & Flora
Programme Manager, Saint Lucia
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