Saint Lucia is seeking to keep residents safe from its fer-de-lance snakes while finding ways to turn its natural resources into cash.
The nation’s fer-de-lances (Bothrops caribbaeus) seem to be popping up in more places lately, including spots where they weren’t usually seen.
“In the recent past, we have been encountering the species in communities and areas we would not have seen before,” said Assistant Chief Forestry Officer Pius Haynes. “And this gave us the notion that the encounters of the fer-de-lances are increasing, so it is important that we undertake this study.”
Enter reptiles expert Lenn Isidore, who’s leading a new project to figure out where these snakes are, how to handle them and how to keep people safe.
“We want to train a few key persons in each of the at-risk communities on how to safely capture the snake, safely contain them and relocate them,” the consultant herpetologist explained, adding that such measures are vital for protecting lives and preventing dangerous encounters.
The Fer-de-Lance study is one of two consultations launched on August 5. In the second, Saint Lucia is looking at how to make money from its plants, animals and other natural resources.
This new project will explore business ideas, like beauty products, medicines, or eco-tourism, that use local biodiversity.
Activities will include conducting market assessments, analysing supply chains, developing investment-ready business cases and engaging with both private sector and community-based partners.
“We will distribute US$100,000 to five businesses in Saint Lucia that are focused on using local biological resources in producing beauty products, cosmetics or pharmaceuticals,” said Beana Joseph, the project coordinator.
By tapping into sectors such as eco-tourism, natural health products, and specialty foods, the project aims to generate economic value while ensuring equitable benefit-sharing under the Nagoya Protocol.
