Thea Litschka-Koen

Thea's interest in snakes started when she assisted her son with a school project in 2006. Research became an obsession, and from learning how to identify them, she also learnt how to handle and work with them. In time, rescuing snakes led to rescuing people.

Thea's focus is community education. As harmful first-aid practices result in lost limbs and lives, she has dedicated the last 15 years to improving the outcome by teaching practical species-specific first-aid, even for those living in the most rural areas of Eswatini. A pilot project with well-trained and equipped Community Snake Rescue Volunteers (CRVs) who remove problematic snakes and reduce human-snake conflict and snakebite risk. These efforts have reduced the fatality rate significantly and have reduced snakebite incidence by 27% A serious Black mamba bite can kill in less than an hour. To reach these patients in time, Thea established "Antivenom Banks" across the country, saving time, saving lives and limbs and reducing the need to have stock at every hospital and health centre.

For the last 12 years, Thea has brought local and international experts on snakebite together through an annual medical symposium that helps define and implement best practices. A species-specific, locally relevant Medical Management Protocol has made snakebite treatment easier and a 24-hour helpline for snakebite emergencies and consultations.

Thea has also been advocating for snakebite on an international level. In 2009, her work was featured in a 60-minute BBC documentary called Black Mamba and Witch; she has partnered with Global Snakebite Initiative to receive valuable assistance, education, and support.

Thea is also a member and advisor on the African Snakebite Advisory Group and a member of the WHO Snakebite Panel of Experts and the Envenoming Working Group to develop the Snakebite Prevention and Treatment Roadmap. Thea travels extensively to share her knowledge & expertise and help countries and communities develop their own emergency protocols to manage any snakebite emergency effectively.