Africa-Press – Botswana. Unavailability of effective snake anti-venom globally presents an opportunity for Batswana to venture into the production of the highly sort after commodity.
Speaking in an interview during the World Snake Day commemoration at the Eden Greens Hotel Farm in Rasesa on Sunday, Snake Consultants founder and snake handler, Mr Aron Tsatsi said snake handling was a potential money spinning business with value chain additions such as anti-venom production.
Anti-venom is an antibody therapy that can disable the toxins of a specific venom if injected timely into a patient after a snake bite.
Mr Tsatsi said his organisation was in talks with government to establish anti-venom manufacturing plants and ease the burden of unreliable imports from South Africa, which was also facing challenges of keeping stock.
He unavailability of anti-venom had become a critical health issue globally and had reached its greatest intensity in Sub-Saharan Africa.
He urged Batswana to venture into snake handling training as the demand presented a favourable outlook for market growth.
Mr Tsatsi said he was inspired by a government-funded snake park youth business in Letlhakane.
He said it was doing extremely well as the owner had participated in several expos and shows.
He said it boosted the eco-tourism and educational value as snakes served as charismatic flagship species, attracting eco-tourism and educational initiatives.
He said snakes captivated public interest and contributed to raising awareness about biodiversity conservation and ecological significance.
July 16 is World Snake Day and Botswana joined the global world to increase awareness of the slithery reptiles.
According to African Snakebite Institute, Botswana has 58 different types of snakes.
Nine species including the common Black Mamba (mokwepa), cobra (kake) and Puff adder (lebolobolo) are considered potentially deadly and had caused human fatalities.
Speaking during snake demonstrations Sunday, a budding professional handler, Mr Johnson Molwantwa said he fell in love with snakes at a tender age while taking care of his family’s livestock in Pitsane.
He said the aim of promoting World Snake Day was to raise awareness about the vital role snakes played in maintaining the balance of the ecosystems, highlighting their significance in fostering a healthy and thriving natural environment.
He although snakes played a crucial role in the natural world, they were often misunderstood and feared.
Mr Molwantwa said snake numbers were declining all over the world because they were both predator and food for other creatures.
He urged Batswana to coexist with the serpents and preserve the declining species for future generations.
Black Mambas are generally considered the most dangerous and feared snakes locally, but their danger is grossly over-exaggerated.
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