WhatsApp chatbot for snakebite awareness in Mysuru district Premium

The chatbot launched by Humane Society International/India in collaboration with the Liana Trust, seeks to enable the community to learn about snakes around them and puts first-aid for snakebites at their fingertips.

Liana Trust, which has set up a serpentarium in Rathnapuri near Hunsur in Mysuru district recently, is also behind a WhatsApp chatbot, the first such initiative in Karnataka on snakebite awareness that educates citizens about snakes and snakebite prevention.

The chatbot launched by Humane Society International/India in collaboration with the Liana Trust, seeks to enable the community to learn about snakes around them and puts first-aid for snakebites at their fingertips.

The automated chatbot, which can be accessed by messaging ‘Hi’ to WhatsApp number +919154190472 disseminates engaging visual content in both English and Kannada. More than 3,000 users have registered themselves on the WhatsApp chatbot, which was launched in June 2024.

The person messaging the automated chat is asked to share the details of his region so that content specific to the region can be shared before offering to share information about snakes in the region, myths about snakes, avoiding snakebites, snakebite first aid etc. A poster of the WhatsApp chatbot seeks to enlighten people that milk was harmful to snakes while cautioning people against cutting or touching the wound created by snakebite. The chatbot also shares the Do’s and Don’ts while providing first aid for snakebites.

Many people have an innate fear of snakes for various reasons including a lack of meaningful information about them. This often leads to snakes being killed or relocated to alien habitats where they have little chance of survival. The app addresses this information vacuum.

A statement from HIS/India’s Vinod Krishnan, said, “Snakebite is a mass problem which requires a mass solution. As per our survey in the Mysore district, WhatsApp is one of the most used digital apps. Hence, this is an easy platform to reach many people with vital information that could save human lives and prevent snake persecution. While there is venom research and strengthening of healthcare infrastructure overall to ensure quality care for those affected, preventing a bite from occurring and knowing the right first aid once a bite occurs is crucial.” 

Gerry Martin, founder of The Liana Trust, said, “As we progress in avenues of public outreach, our methods need to evolve and keep with the times. The chatbot is a great way to have a continuous dialogue with the community.”