The Morne Panache, Dennery community is taking decisive measures to combat a growing snake problem that residents say has reached crisis proportions.
According to the residents, three weeks ago, a snake bit someone in the community on the main Morne Panache road, prompting widespread concern and calls for immediate action.
The residents disclosed that the victim received an anti-venom at the hospital and is now okay. However, the snake escaped.
In response to this alarming incident, the community organised an educational seminar at the well-known Hide Out venue, led by Mr. Pius Haynes, Assistant Chief Forestry Officer from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security, and Rural Development.
During the seminar, Haynes provided a detailed overview of snake species in Saint Lucia, including distinguishing between the venomous Fer-de-Lance and the non-venomous boa, commonly known as “tet-chien.”
He also shared strategies for safely encountering snakes and avoiding potential dangers.
The seminar, which extended late into the evening, fostered an engaging dialogue as residents raised questions to dispel myths and clarify misconceptions about snakes.
The event concluded with a request for a follow-up session.
In light of the recent snake bite incident, residents have expressed the need for a dedicated committee to advocate for their safety.
Consequently, the newly formed Morne Panache Development Committee organised two consecutive clean-up campaigns to mitigate the snake threat.
The second occurred on Sunday and the first, a week earlier.
The residents cleared overgrown trees and vegetation along the roadside and removed debris that could serve as snake habitats.
Residents of all ages, armed with cutlasses, chainsaws, and weed eaters, worked from sunrise to sunset.
Ironically, during Sunday’s cleanup, the residents encountered a boa constrictor.
Another significant issue on the Morne Panache Development Committee’s agenda is installing street lamps along the poorly lit Morne Panache road.
Residents have voiced concerns that inadequate lighting heightens the risk of snake encounters and compromises safety during evening and early morning hours.
“We need proper lighting for Morne Panache, and we need it now! This is not just about snakes; it’s about the general safety and well-being of the people,” emphasised Ms. Winny Wilfred, Chairperson of the Morne Panache Development Committee.
The committee remains committed to addressing the snake crisis and invites organisations and concerned citizens to join their efforts to ensure a safer environment for the residents of Morne Panache.
I feel for you all, this is a serious problem. We want to live amongst our animals but safety has to come first.
The government needs to help the money they have stashed away from the CIP should be used to help communities like Dennery and others.
Street lighting is a must in all communities not just on main roads.
I commend the residents for organizing themselves to gain information and problem solve to address issues in their community; especially one as grave as this. Hopefully additional government resources can be given to the community to bolster their efforts.
Keep up the good work … Forward ever backward never
…..,there you go a collective community effort stop been Timid Children of The Himalayas the government can’t do everything…….in the words of John F Kennedy “it’s not what your country can do for you, but rather what you can do for your country” But in Highgrade’s World.,,.. Gasa yu’ll meck sure to CHOP EVERY ONE OF DEM, C** to hell with the forestry department mandates and stipulations don’t let them overrun the place like South Florida, India or Asiathe place small soon they will be on the balcony for those balcony lovers (they know themselves) you lift up your toilet seat and their one waiting to bite your *** it came up thru the pipes not to mention how they love warm car engine and exhaust look yull can’t walk on the road they are just poised and waiting for you CHOP EVERY ONE OF DEM Gasa I hate a snake !
Well done to the Morne Panache community. Wish more SL Communities would take up these sorts of initiatives. If this happened all over the island, and with some Government (?!) funding or supplies, we would be in a much better place. Pull together and good things can be achieved.
given the behaviour in this community, snakes are the least of their problems. Let the snakes do their thing.
Something is encouraging the snake to take up residence near the residents and that should be investigated. If the population of these vipers increases, maybe the Government have to revisit what they did in the Millet/ Anse La Raye communities during the 70s and early 80s to control these vipers. There was what is termed a ‘Serpent Imprest Fund’ available to pay persons to go seek out and destroy the vipers not the Boa. The Forestry Division will have to assess the situation to see whether this is warranted in this case. Stay safe guys.
…….@Anonymous fool chatting about behavior in the community and leave snake alone..,…they don’t reach you yet but I bet if you go and lift up the toilet seat and you see one in there waiting to bite you on your a** you would scream loud and louder like a little Malmama up in Boralis. Leave yuh there, snakes can get out of hand by simply hiding in car engines, on delivery trucks that just simply pass by you and make a stop this will not be a “down south” issue sooner than later snakes will be coming near you.
@Anonymous 99.9% of the time your the first to post or you post the most stuff. You have all the ideas, you know it all…I think sometimes you just need to SHUT THE HELL UP. This is one of the most ignorant comments yet…
Wow…please solve this issue before it becomes an island issue….I cant kill a spider, not to think a snake, I will pass out
Tidy up St. Lucia. There is garbage everywhere. Streams, rivers all polluted with plastic bottles and rubbish. Take pride in your Island. St. Lucia needs an education program to teach the residents to care for their environment.