The Wildlife Crime Suppression Unit of the Forest Department has been flooded with over 5,000 phone calls in the last 6 days as panic over the spread of the venomous Russell’s Viper (locally known as Chandrabora) grips the country.
Wildlife Inspector Asim Mallick from the Dhaka Forest Department shared with Bangladesh First that typically they get 30-40 calls per month, with a previous high of around 80.
The recent spike related to Russell’s Viper has overwhelmed their hotline.
“Within just 5-6 days, we received a minimum of 5,000 phone calls. The sheer majority of these calls were about the Russell’s Viper,” Inspector Mallick said.
“Panicked citizens urge us to send rescue teams to capture vipers they believed they had found. However, after examining photos sent via WhatsApp, we discovered that most of these snakes were non-venomous snakes,” he added.
Inspector Mallick emphasised the importance of not harming these misidentified snakes and encouraged the public to allow them to remain in their natural habitat.
“We urge everyone to leave the snakes alone. Many of them play vital roles in the ecosystem and pose no threat to humans,” he added.
Hissing of media-induced panic
For the last few weeks, Russell's Viper has become one of the most discussed topics in Bangladesh, appearing frequently in social and mainstream media.
Video clips with headlines such as “Azrael Russell’s Viper now in Dhaka, changing its nature!” and “Russell’s Viper in 28 districts: How prepared is the health ministry?” have stirred many into panic.
Numerous media reports and social media content have led to growing panic, suggesting that the Russell's Viper, once thought to have been extinct in Bangladesh, it has reemerged in large numbers, particularly in farmlands.
Alarmingly, these reports claim that the antivenoms available in local healthcare facilities can barely cure 20% of those bitten. And so, panicked individuals have started killing random snakes, often mistaking them for Russell's Vipers.
Reports suggest that dozens of snakes, including pythons, have been killed across the country amid the Russell Viper panic.
Rajshahi is a mostly vulnerable area to Russell’s Viper's heightened presence. According to media reports citing records from Rajshahi Medical College, the death toll from Russell's Viper bites in the hospital was 8 in 2018 & 2019; 13 in 2020; 10 in 2021 & 2022; 13 in 2023; and 5 till June of 2024.
The reports suggest that the number of deaths has remained relatively consistent and has not increased significantly.
An environmental necessity
Speaking to Bangladesh First, Herpetologist Md Sohel Rana from Sheikh Kamal Wildlife Centre expressed concern about the random snake killings.
“Every creature has a role in nature. Russell’s Viper consumes a large number of rodents in crop fields, thus helping to protect crops from destruction. Additionally, predators like eagles, weasels, and the Indian Grey Mongoose also feed on Russell’s Viper, forming a food chain. Each species is interconnected, contributing to the maintenance of ecological balance,” he said.
He emphasised that the ecosystem functions in a delicate balance where every organism plays a crucial role.
“Mass killings of snakes will severely impact our environment. For instance, a decline in snake populations could lead to an increase in rodent numbers, which in turn could threaten crop production. Furthermore, diseases transmitted by rodents could spread unchecked,” he added.
“Everything in nature is interconnected. Indiscriminate killing of snakes, including non-venomous species, is akin to shooting oneself in the foot,” Sohel Rana concluded.
Effectiveness of antivenoms
Amid the rising panic, on 20 July, Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Samanta Lal Sen assured the public, “We have a sufficient supply of antivenom in the hospitals.”
He advised that anyone bitten by a snake should seek medical attention quickly.
Dr Abdul Wahed Chowdhury, associate professor of the Department of Zoology at Chittagong University, told the media, “The antivenoms available in the country are almost 100% effective against the venom of Russell's Viper if people start treatment without wasting time after being bitten.”
Awareness is the key
In response to growing public concern, the Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change has issued comprehensive guidelines to ensure public safety.
People have been asked to exercise caution while driving or walking in areas where Russell's Vipers have been reported and to avoid tall grass and bushes. Wearing boots and long pants when working in affected areas, using a flashlight when travelling at night, maintaining cleanliness around homes, and taking special care when handling fallen trees, firewood, and straw are also recommended precautions.
For any assistance, people are encouraged to contact the National Helpline 333 or the nearest Forest Department office, rather than attempting to catch or kill snakes themselves.
In the event of a snake bite, victims are advised to seek prompt medical attention at the nearest hospital or healthcare centre. The ministry has assured that antivenom is available free of charge at government hospitals.
Additionally, patients must avoid traditional healers and refrain from using ointments, pricking, needles, or any tight clothing on the bitten area. These measures are crucial to ensure effective treatment and prevent complications from snake bites.
