Snake handlers scale Tsavo ecosystem in search of venomous reptiles

Following its establishment by the late James and Sanda Ashe and Royjan Taylor, the Watamu Snake Farm has fledged into a centre of excellence, with great progress continuing to be made.

The Taylor Ashe Antivenom Foundation (TAAF) works with communities and rangers to teach them ways in which to live alongside venomous snakes in safety, including how to identify snakes and how to respond to snakebites and apply basic first aid. The Farm reached 16,000 people in 2025, thus increasingly becoming an essential resource for hands-on learning about Kenyan snakes and other reptiles, emphasising the need to conserve these vital species whilst also minimising human-snake conflict. With an impressive range of reptiles, including venomous snakes, TAAF supports critical research and conservation.

ForRangers has been a proud supporter of the Foundation for many years now and we are delighted with the progress that’s been made. Our grants have been used to support the further development of the Farm and the operational costs associated with it. You can read more about our support in previous years here, here and here.

At its core are the team of snake handlers and rangers. In 2025, TAAF’s team requested an assortment of items from ForRangers funds including refurbishment of an old office block into staff welfare facilities, a leadership trip to the Kakamega Forest, and medical insurance cover for the team in the event of injury (i.e. bitten by a venomous snake) in remote areas.

Medical insurance was obtained and the construction work was completed with three offices converted into a locker room, bathroom complete with loo, a kitchen with a dining area and a staff meeting room. Prior to this, the only area to meet and cook consisted of a few chairs beneath a shaded tree to the rear of the Farm, with meals prepared over an open fire and there was little protection from the weather.

A team trip was also especially welcome. As the Farm has increasingly become busier and the team members’ roles more demanding, it was opportune to bolster the team’s guiding skills. Budgetary constraints meant that the team turned to Rukinga Wildlife Sanctuary in the Tsavo Ecosystem, but it still offered plenty of opportunities to find reptiles. To enable activities to continue at the Farm, the group was divided into two teams of eight, which also allowed for more hands-on learning and better opportunities to practice field skills. The trips focused on improving snake detection, field identification, guiding skills, and the use of digital conservation tools, while also giving the team valuable time in the bush.

“The team shared experiences and learned from each other. There were also some fun team-building games and activities, which helped strengthen teamwork and communication skills. A thrilling bush walk also took place to spot wildlife – especially snakes - and learn more about conservation efforts. 

The evenings were full of fun stories and laughter, which was all to improve teamwork and communication among team members. The team leader, Kyle, has an amazing level of knowledge and guiding, with much imparted to the others during this trip. The level of hospitality from the staff at Kivuli Camp was also amazing.”

Godana Peter, WSF Education Supervisor

Whilst the first group contended with difficult weather, they still learnt a lot and found a variety of snakes. Light-hearted and fun competitions were held and, in addition to encountering several monitor lizards and three tortoises, the groups managed to the find the following snakes:

Group 1 (5 snakes found):

• Puff adder

• Mole viper • Link-marked sand snakes

• House snake

Group 2 (13 snakes found):

▪ Puff adder

▪ Mole viper

▪ Speckled sand snake

▪ Three link-marked sand snakes

▪ Four spotted bush snakes

▪ Sand boa

▪ Red spitting cobra

▪ Rhombic egg-eater

“I would like to thank the Board and management of the Watamu Snake Farm and ForRangers for the unforgettable experience we had at Rukinga. It was very exciting to be around each other for more than 72hrs doing different activities that united us and even dining together."

Mary Mumbi, Senior Venomous Snake Handler

Thank you to all who fundraised for ForRangers to make all this possible.