Background: Snakebite envenoming, classified as a neglected tropical disease, poses a significant threat to life in India, where it is estimated to cause 58 000 fatalities as well as 140 000 morbidities annually. To reduce the occurrence of snakebite, we need a comprehensive understanding of human–snake conflict ecology. Snake rescue networks represent a vital resource for gathering such ecological data.
Methods: In this study, we utilised snake rescue data from 520 rescue encounters carried out by a local rescue network in Hooghly, West Bengal, from July 2020 to October 2022, to investigate patterns of human–snake conflict and the influence of climatic factors on these patterns.
Results: The spectacled cobra Naja naja was the most encountered of the five venomous species involved in 365 rescues. Our analysis revealed a significant correlation between rescue location and venomous/non-venomous encounters, with non-venomous encounters being more prevalent inside built-up locations. Rainfall on the pre- vious day significantly increased encounters and influenced the species involved, while daily minimum tem- perature also influenced encounters with venomous species. We also found that both Bungarus (krait) species present were mostly encountered between 18:00 h and midnight.
Conclusions: This study highlights the multifaceted factors influencing human-snake conflicts in the region, including seasonality, geographic location, rainfall patterns, and temperature dynamics. It underscores the potential of snake rescue data as a valuable resource for deepening our understanding of regional variations in snake–human interactions.