Tasman Ezra, a postgraduate student in biology in Arts & Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis, initially visited Honduras with a high school companion who vowed to assist him in locating and capturing images of an at-risk jade palm pit viper (Bothriechis thalassinus).

Motivated by his experiences and the individuals he encountered, Ezra established a conservation organization aimed at preserving reptiles, amphibians, and their ecosystems.

HonduHerp dispatches specialists to primary educational institutions to aid young learners in recognizing the significance of safeguarding biodiversity. Members of the organization strive to diminish the apprehension surrounding snakes and reptiles, a sentiment prevalent in communities worldwide. The experts from HonduHerp also engage with older pupils and farmers, elucidating the distinctions between venomous and non-venomous snakes.

“Regrettably, individuals often presume that every snake species is poisonous or misidentify harmless species as dangerous,” remarked Ezra, an evolutionary biologist who is set to join the lab of Jonathan Losos, the William H. Danforth Distinguished University Professor in Arts & Sciences. “People are frequently bitten by venomous snakes while attempting to eliminate them, whereas the best approach is to simply steer clear.”

“We convey this information and instruct individuals about snake traits, which further advances our mission of preserving these reptiles and amphibians,” he explained. “There are local legends suggesting that salamanders are toxic, when, in truth, all salamanders are harmless.”

Alongside this community involvement, professionals at HonduHerp are undertaking research and contributing to the monitoring of reptiles and amphibians within the cloud forests of western Honduras. They are also working to safeguard land crucial for the survival of endangered species. Since 2023, the organization has created a network of three reserves in the western region of Honduras.

“The secret to our success lies in the fact that all the necessary individuals organically converged, bringing diverse talents, skills, and resources together. Officials in high-ranking government roles, local hunters and farmers, educators, enthusiasts, and scientists all share a unified objective: habitat conservation,” Ezra stated.

“I’ve participated in conservation efforts in the United States, and the atmosphere is much more pessimistic there,” he commented. “In Honduras, the enthusiasm, cooperation, and support for this work are palpable. The emphasis is more on the success stories and the positive influence people can exert at all levels.”

Discover more about Ezra and HonduHerp, including how opting for sustainably cultivated coffee can aid reptiles in Honduras, on the biology website.

The article Helping herps in Central America first appeared on The Source.