African Reptile Conservation - ARC

01/06/2026

Important message regarding antivenom supplies in southern Africa!

Antivenom crisis. On 14 May 2026 Prof Mlisana, C.E.O. of the National Health Laboratories, issued a press release stating that the production of snake-, spider- and scorpion antivenom was suspended that no stock was available until further notice. This is not a new problem as antivenom have either been unavailable or in short supply since Covid.

Two weeks back we had a confirmed Boomslang bite on a human and not a single hospital had Monovalent antivenom available. Yesterday there was another mad scramble for Monovalent Boomslang antivenom for a dog that was bitten and nothing could be found. It turned out to be a Puff Adder bite but highlighted the antivenom crisis.

Fortunately an alternative product has reached our shores - Panaf Premium is manufactured in India from African snake venom and has been imported and sold in South Africa for several years. It is sold in powder form, does not require refrigeration and lasts for four years before it expires. As it is not a registered drug in South Africa, hospitals and veterinarians must apply for a special permit under Section 21 of SAPHRA before this product can be purchased. This can be quite a process.

Panaf Premium is approved by the WHO and has been used on many snakebites, both humans and pets and the initial results are very good. Unlike the local product patients rarely experience a severe allergic reaction.

Although we are entering winter and seeing less bites, people are warned to be extra alert, especially those that work with venomous snakes, as many hospitals and veterinarians do not currently have sufficient stock of antivenom to treat snakebite emergencies. We sure hope that SAVP get their production back up to acceptable levels and that the importers of Panaf manage to get their product licensed in South Africa.

29/05/2026

Ankia heard starling alarm calls and stopped to find a slender mongoose attacking a large black mamba inside a sickle bush. The mongoose repeatedly ran up the branches to bite the venomous snake before darting back down to escape. After an hour of back-and-forth fighting, the exhausted mamba was left defeated while the mongoose simply walked away.
Tinged by Ankia Pusey
The full story is linked below

28/05/2026

The Angulate Tortoise is near endemic to South Africa. Sadly, hundreds are killed each you due to fires and road traffic.

28/05/2026

Volume 75, Issue 1 of AJH now available! https://www.tandfonline.com/toc/ther20/75/1

27/05/2026

Wild tortoises belong in the wild.

Every year, indigenous tortoises are removed from their natural habitats, relocated, kept as pets, painted, marked, chained, or unnecessarily “rescued” by well-meaning people. Unfortunately, these actions can cause immense stress, injury, disorientation and even death.

Here's a little infographic on what to do if you find a tortoise:

Help keep the wild in wildlife.

26/05/2026

A leopard tortoise believed to be 50 to 70 years old has been rescued after being found chained in a yard with no food or water.

26/05/2026

𝗧𝗪𝗢 𝗟𝗜𝗩𝗘 𝗖𝗥𝗢𝗖𝗢𝗗𝗜𝗟𝗘𝗦 𝗦𝗘𝗜𝗭𝗘𝗗 𝗙𝗥𝗢𝗠 𝗔 𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗜𝗗𝗘𝗡𝗖𝗘 𝗜𝗡 𝗦𝗣𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗚𝗦 - On Monday, 25 May 2026, members from Tshwane K9, the Gauteng Department of Environment, Vereeniging Stock Theft and Endangered Species Unit, Johannesburg Wildlife Veterinary Hospital, and the Springs Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) swooped on a residence in Springs after receiving information that two tortoises and two crocodiles were being kept without the required permits.

An application for a search warrant was made and approved by the Springs Magistrate’s Court to enter and search the property. Armed with the warrant, the combined units arrived at the property at around 10:00 to execute the search. The owner was, however, not present at the time and members were escorted onto the property by an alleged manager of his company.

During the search, a black steel enclosure measuring approximately 5.6 metres by 1.8 metres was discovered, with two Nile crocodiles inside and a small blue splash pool.

The crocodiles measured 1.48 metres and 1.7 metres respectively and were reportedly kept there for more than two years. No tortoises were discovered. The crocodiles were seized and handed over to the Johannesburg Wildlife Veterinary Hospital for medical treatment and housing. A criminal case was opened at SAPS Springs for contravention of the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act for keeping threatened or protected species without a permit. Investigations continue.

Persons intending to keep any form of exotic pets or wildlife are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the laws protecting and regulating specific species, as well as whether lawful permits are obtainable.

Source: South African Police Service
Date: 26 May 2026