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TGMP: Russell's Viper Telemetry Project


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HCI is sponsoring The Gerry Martin Projects Russell's Vipers Telemetry Projcect. The following is The Gerry Martin Projects summary of this study. 

The Russell’s viper (Daboia russelii) is quite probably involved in more human-snake conflict than any other species in India. Further, it also accounts for more human-wildlife conflict than any other animal on the subcontinent! Unfortunately, this has been overlooked and even ignored by scientists, conservationists, and governments until recently.


With the permission and assistance of the Karnataka Forest Department, TGMP initiated the first-ever statistically sound ecology study of snakes in India. TGMP chose Russell’s viper as the study subject primarily because of the high level of conflict between humans and this species as well as the general public’s loathing and fear of this snake.
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Russell’s vipers were captured from conflict situations, surgically implanted with radio transmitters and released back at the exact location of capture with the informed consent of relevant land or farm owners. These snakes have since been followed and studied every day to learn about their movements, natural history, behavior and habitat, and microhabitat preferences.

Alongside, we have also been documenting instances of conflict with the aim of clearly identifying high-risk seasons, practices and landscapes.

Why Russell’s Vipers?
The Russell’s viper is found through most of mainland India, from sea level to above 2000mASL in the Western Ghats and Himalayas. It is believed that the species is responsible for between 15,000 and 20,000 deaths in India each year. Due to the highly cytotoxic nature of its venom, survivors of bites from Russell’s vipers often suffer extensive and irreversible tissue damage.
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To make matters worse, poor first-aid and medical help in rural areas usually result in terrible infections, necrosis and gangrene that can only be resolved by amputations. Consequently, unlike the other common species of snakes, the long lasting visual reminder of bites from this species has led to numerous myths and fears. In all our interactions with people in rural settings, the one species that is simply not tolerated is the Russell’s viper.

This is precisely the reason we chose to work on this species within agricultural landscapes, where, conflict is most prevalent. Our study, although ecological in nature, focusses on the dynamics of and circumstances behind conflict. The project has many layers- Russell’s viper behavior and ecology, agricultural practices, snakebite epidemiology and perceptions and practices pertaining to snakes and snakebite. These verticals will help us truly understand human-snake conflict and enable us to draw up concrete steps to mitigate this neglected tropical disease.

The logic behind running this study is that, if we can tackle conflict between the most feared snake species and humans, we will be able to develop a model that can be replicated in other locations and with other species or snakes in general. Already, the community within which our study is conducted has accepted Russell’s vipers in their fields and is being supported of the project. This study will pioneer a new era of snake research and conservation.




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​Herpetological Conservation International 
HCI IS A NON-PROFIT 501(C)3​
TAX ID EIN: 47-1633701 

Donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law in your country.

MAILING ADDRESS:
Herpetological Conservation International 
57556 29 Palms Hwy #467,
Yucca Valley, CA, United States, 92284

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  • Home
  • About
    • Mission Statement
    • The Team
    • Contact
    • PUBLICATIONS
    • Check out our FACEBOOK
  • DONATE
    • Ways To Contribute
    • Donate Via Paypal
    • Secure Online Donations
    • FUNDRAISERS >
      • Teespring Store
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      • Auction Donation
  • MEMBERSHIP
    • About Membership
    • Membership Sign Up
    • Membership Login
    • Members Discounts >
      • Discount Directory
      • Vendor Discount Sign Up
  • Grants
    • The Michael Dee Grant >
      • About The Michael Dee Grant
      • Grant Recipients >
        • Maritz 2017
        • McGee 2018
        • Gatto 2019
        • Larson 2019
        • Thonis 2020
        • Weaver 2020
        • Webster 2021
        • Gross 2021
        • Adam 2022
        • Rolón 2022
        • Ripa 2023
        • Bieri 2023
      • Dee Grant Application
      • Donate To The Dee Grant >
        • Donate To The Dee Grant
        • Donate w/ Paypal
        • Donate By Credit Card
        • Donate By Mail
    • The Harold K. Voris Aquatic Snake Grant >
      • About The HKV Grant
      • Grant Recipients >
        • Lake Buhi Bockadam Project
      • HKV Grant Application
      • Donate To The HKV Grant >
        • Donate w/ Paypal
        • Donate By Credit Card
        • Donate By Mail
  • AQUATIC SNAKE BOOK
    • HARDBOUND EDITION
    • E-Book
  • PROJECTS
    • CARE: Chytrid Awareness >
      • The Campaign
      • Chytrid Information
      • sponsor
      • Property Contact
    • RUSSELL'S VIPER TELEMETRY PROJECT
    • ALL PROJECTS
  • Volunteer
  • Contact