UK Request for Venomous Inventory
from
Dr. Robert A. Harrison
Website:
http://www.venomousreptiles.org/libraries/showfilepage/6335
on
October 12, 2008
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The UK Department of Health has stockpiled antivenoms to treat anybody in UK who has been bitten or
stung by a venomous animal. The Dept of Health wish to update their antivenom inventory so that it is
medically appropriate for the species of venomous animals kept in the UK. This requires a list of the
venomous animal species (and the number of specimens) held in private collections, zoos and
If you keep venomous animals I would very much appreciate your completing this form. Please send it to me anonymously, by post or by email, and I will compile it with the other responses received and send the entire list to the Dept of Health. The ONLY reason for this form is to help ensure that the Dept of Health purchases antivenom for the venomous animals in your collection, and collections like yours. This information could be critically important if you are unfortunate enough to get bitten or stung. Similar forms have been sent to zoos and research establishments.
Please send the completed form at the link below or above.
With very many thanks for your cooperation.
Head, Alistair Reid Venom Research Unit
Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine
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UK Request for Venomous Inventory
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by Mark_OShea on October 16, 2008
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The anonymous survey being compiled by Dr Robert Harrison, of the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, has only one purpose.
That is to determine which species of venomous animals (not just snakes), and how many of each, are being kept in private and public collections within the United Kingdom.
This data will enable the UK Department of Health to maintain sufficient stocks of the clinically most appropriate antivenom, where it is available, to cover each and every snakebite within the UK.
Bear in mind that there are snakes for which there is no antivenom (Thelotornis, some Bungarus) and snakes for which antivenom is in extremely small supply (Dispholidus) so it may still not be possible for every emergency to be covered. This is something keepers should consider when deciding which species to keep.
Dr Harrison has chosen to make this survey anonymous because a sizeable number of venomous snakes/animals are kept without licenses, and are therefore regarded as illegal.
Anonymity allows for those persons who do not hold a license to mail their lists to Dr Harrison without fear of compromise.
It definitely does not mean that Dr Harrison, or the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, condone the keeping of animals listed under the Dangerous Wild Animals Act (1975, 1983) without a license, but it does mean they will do everything in their power to ensure that antivenom is available for the venomous animal species maintained in UK, regardless of the legal status of the keeper concerned.
The Alastair Reid Venom Research Unit is a scientific establishment and unfortunately not in a position to offer advice on the keeping of venomous reptiles or other venomous animals.
Unsolicited emails or phone calls about matters unrelated to this survey (ie. which species of venomous animals you do actually keep) are probably inappropriate and could be directed elsewhere, to other keepers or herpetological societies/forums etc.
Only persons who do actually keep venomous animals should send lists to the address given, and then listing only the venomous species, not the nonvenomous species, that they currently keep.
This list should be updated as often as necessary, as specimens pass in or out of the collection, breed or die.
Thank you and stay safe.
Mark O'Shea, on behalf of Dr Robert Harrison
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RE: UK Request for Venomous Inventory
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by Phobos on October 20, 2008
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I bow my hook to Dr Harrison and his efforts to ensure there is A/V coverage for the specimens kept in the UK.
Cheers!
Al
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RE: UK Request for Venomous Inventory
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by AlanHyde on October 22, 2008
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I do have a DWA for my bitis nasicornis study , but feel this is definitely a good thing.
Also , keepers should definitely have all protocols for the species they are keeping ready to hand incase of an emergency.
I was bitten in Sept 07 by our native species v.berus while carrying out field work. The hospital I went to meant well but, they made a couple of mistakes in my treatment. This is dealing with a bite from our native species, so i'd hate to think what could happen if a keeper turned up at the hospital with an exotic bite.
If you are keeping licensed or not be ready just incase
Al
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UK Request for Venomous Inventory
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by RW on November 2, 2008
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i think its a good thing that they put effort in!
i hope many people will reply to this so that everyone can have a saver continue with their hobby and/or zoo!
kind regards from the netherlands
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RE: UK Request for Venomous Inventory
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by ViperLover on January 19, 2010
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Big respects to Dr. Robert Harrison for this, and big respects to Paul Rowley for his routine venom extractions at the LSTM, and his expert husbandry care!.
Hi, Mark...
When are we going to be seeing more of you on Channel 4?
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