Snakebite is a major global health problem affecting millions of people annually, but the welfare of snakes themselves — subject to killing, persecution and trade — is rarely considered. A One Health approach addresses both dimensions.
A welfare-sensitive response to snakebite addresses both the human and snake dimensions. Reducing snakebite through education, protective footwear and habitat management reduces the trigger for retaliatory snake killing. Improving antivenom accessibility saves human lives without requiring increased captive snake populations. Welfare standards in venom extraction facilities, protection of wild snake populations from persecution and trade, and public education about snake ecology all serve both snake welfare and the goal of reducing human-snake conflict. One Health approaches that recognise the ecological value of snakes are essential for long-term coexistence.