World Congress on Snakes Convened in Sri Lanka
Global researchers gathered in Kandy to address snake biology, conservation, and rising snakebite mortality rates.
Updated on Oct. 2, 2026 in Reptiles
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More than 500 experts from 25 countries recently met at the Grand Kandyan Hotel for the World Congress on Snakes. The event aims to position Sri Lanka as a global epicenter for research and conservation policies.
Why it matters
The congress addresses the critical public health crisis of snakebite envenoming, which claims up to 138,000 lives each year worldwide. Sri Lanka serves as a strategic venue due to its significant reptilian diversity and high endemism.
Sri Lanka is home to 112 snake species, of which 56 percent are endemic. The international conference features 12 thematic areas spanning biology, conservation, and public health.
The players
Prof. Edem Archibong Eniang
He is an academic from the University of Uyo in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria, who specializes in wildlife conservation and ecology.
The details
Prof. Edem Archibong Eniang represents Nigeria at the congress, where participants engage in plenaries, symposia, and field excursions. This collaborative effort seeks to translate biological findings into actionable global conservation strategies.
Timeline
The World Congress on Snakes took place from October 1 to October 4, 2026.
Culture Shift
This event follows the pattern set by the 2003 SARS response protocols in prioritizing interdisciplinary international cooperation to mitigate a public health threat. It reflects a broader shift toward centralized global strategies for managing environmental and biological hazards.
The research presented at the congress informs future public health initiatives, which may lead to improved access to antivenom and better medical training in snake-prone regions. These efforts are designed to reduce the risk of fatalities for residents living in areas with high snake density.
The takeaway
The event highlights that effective snake conservation relies on both biological study and global health cooperation. Attendees are encouraged to support local research initiatives that track endemic species in their own regions.
Further reading
Learn more about conservation efforts and species management in our Reptiles section.
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Do you believe international scientific congresses effectively drive progress in local wildlife conservation?
