Hluhluwe, South Africa – WeWild Africa is thrilled to announce an exciting new partnership with Snake Pharm, an innovative anti-venom research facility located in KwaZulu-Natal. This collaboration represents a meaningful expansion of our conservation ethos, as we embrace work with all species, and ones that are often misunderstood yet important to Africa’s ecosystems.

“Snakes are vital to Africa’s ecosystems,” says Donald Schultz. “They regulate prey populations like rodents, which can spread disease and destroy crops, making them essential for ecological balance and human livelihoods.”

Under the leadership of renowned herpetologist and filmmaker Donald Schultz, Snake Pharm is pioneering groundbreaking methods to address the antivenom crisis in sub-Saharan Africa. Using an innovative biomimicry process, Schultz and his team can produce antivenom in just one hour, a revolutionary improvement compared to traditional methods that are costly and time-intensive. This breakthrough has already demonstrated success in initial trials and holds immense promise for broader applications, including human and veterinary medicine.

Snake Pharm’s work extends beyond antivenom production. The facility showcases a variety of endemic and exotic snake species for educational purposes, conducts community awareness programs, and provides emergency response services for snake incidents in homes, lodges, and communities- several of which WeWild Africa has now assisted in. These efforts not only save human lives but also protect snakes, fostering coexistence and reducing unnecessary conflict.

Recently, one of our team members joined Snake Pharm for a firsthand look at their work, assisting with emergency snake “call-outs.” The call-outs, which save both human and snake lives, reflect our shared commitment to the idea that every individual matters.

Our team member also had the privilege of working alongside actor Dominic Monaghan (The Lord of the Rings), who captured commentary and footage to highlight Snake Pharm’s crucial efforts in a short film. 

In addition, our team member completed a venomous snake handling course to better prepare for fieldwork and potential encounters. This training not only ensures safety during conservation efforts but also enhances understanding of snake behaviors, which can prevent unnecessary conflicts and save lives—not only for our team but also for the conservationists we work with and the environments we operate in, such as lodges and nature reserves, where people are often untrained in handling such situations.

As we move forward with this exciting collaboration, we look forward to supporting Snake Pharm’s mission to save lives, educate communities, and protect Africa’s remarkable biodiversity.

Learn more at SnakePharm.co.za or contact SnakePharm@proton.me