One individual is currently receiving medical care at a local health facility after reportedly being bitten by a fer-de-lance. The Saint Lucia fer-de-lance is an endemic pit viper that is widely feared for its potent venom and frequent encounters in rural communities.
According to the Saint Lucia Fire Service, the incident occurred on Tuesday. Officers of the Saint Lucia Fire service responded at 2:54 p.m. to a trauma incident at Tomazo, Dennery and on arrival at the scene an adult male was found seated on the ground. An assessment revealed puncture wounds to the face and his upper left extremity. The individual was treated then transported to a medical facility for advance medical care.
In recent years local forestry officials have acknowledged increased sightings of Saint Lucian snakes away from their natural habitat in forested areas. Last December, over seventy persons were trained in the Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) Project’s Fer-de-Lance safe handling workshop series. With support from the Department of Sustainable Development and Division of Forestry and Land Resources of the Government of Saint Lucia, the pilot training series targeted communities where species encounters are prevalent, engaging a wide cross section of community stakeholders in live snake sessions, teaching snake behaviour, identification and safe handling techniques.
Last year, the Ministry of Health also launched a snake bite management program through the island’s Universal Health Coverage (UHC). This service ensures that anyone who needs treatment for snake bites can access critical care at no cost through the Ministry of Health, Wellness, and Elderly Affairs.
Note to self… Stay far away from Dennery. I thought Fer de Lance were pets found mainly in Anse La Raye and Canaries.
Why can we not kill the vipers? I understand the Tet Chien being protected, but why are we protecting something which was brought here to kill?
@Whoa
Your are probing an everlasting mystery. The threat this creature presents, no way justifies its presence on the island. Let’s consider this creature was actually brought here to stem runaway slaves in the 1700s. What can the fer-de-lance do to benefit environment that the boa can’t do? I guess create decomposing bodies.
The Forestry Division is being very dishonest when talking about the poisonous Fer-de-Lance snake. This snake is widespread in South America and can cause extreme harm to people. So please don’t hesitate to kill this viper anywhere you see them.
Will the Dept of Forestry press charges against the Snake 🐍
There was a sighting in Desruisseaux a couple years back. These are all over the island now