Session: Co-existing with Urban Snakes
Conservation is not just about saving wildlife – it’s about understanding how all living things, including people, depend on each other. As urbanisation expands and ecosystems shrink, the need for meaningful conversations around conservation has never been more urgent. How do we share our spaces with nature? How can we ensure that plants and animals thrive without unnecessary human interference? These are the discussions that shape the future of our planet.
Conservation Conversations is a space designed to spark discussions on urgent environmental topics, providing insights from field experts through monthly sessions.
The initiative was launched with a Snakes Workshop, our first session held in February. Herpetologist and snake rescuer, Bhasuru Prabashwara, shared knowledge on coexisting with snakes. The session featured detailed presentations on snake identification and demonstrations on handling snake encounters, debunking myths, and addressing personal experiences. Nothing is clearer than showing it in action; he demonstrated step-by-step what to do when a snake is encountered, how to manage fear, ensure safety, and handle the situation correctly without harm to either the animal or the person.
The engaging discussion attracted a diverse audience, including students, undergraduates, environmentalists, and retired officers.
We look forward to expanding these sessions, with the One Earth Research Centre in Moratuwa serving as the primary venue for future ‘Conservation Conversations’ events. By fostering open dialogue and increasing awareness, we hope to inspire collective action toward meaningful conservation efforts.
