Costa Rica Launches Snake Identification App: A Smart Tool to Prevent Panic and Save Lives

To help people to identify the venomous snakes Costa Rica has introduced the new mobile application. This app will respond to the safely during encounters with them. The app was developed by the Universidad de Costa Rica with its Clodomiro Picado Institute. This app provides the reliable science-based information in the easy-to-use format. As the confusion around the snake identification is the long standing issue this initiative aims to improve the public awareness and reduce panic. And it also made for to prevent unnecessary harm to both the humans and wildlife.

Costa Rica’s New Snake Identification App

This newly launched the ICP App is a free digital tool which is available on both Android and iOS platforms.

It is designed to help the users to identify venomous snakes found across the Costa Rica.

The app will focuses on,

To identifying 25 venomous snake species
Also providing the visual comparisons with non-venomous snakes
And it is offering verified scientific information in one place

Why This App Was Needed

The idea for this app has been emerged from the very practical problem. Technical experts at the Clodomiro Picado Institute have frequently received the daily queries from the people of Costarica and asking b photos is they are venomous.

According to Dr. Andrés Hernández Bolaños this confusion sometimes led to the panic reactions in public which lead to killing of harmless snakes.

The ICP App acts as the centralised and reliable reference and it is reducing the dependence inaccurate information which is available online.

Key Features: How the App Helps in Real Situations

The app goes beyond simple identification and includes practical tools that can be useful during emergencies.

Users can compare the snake images with database species and also get access to detailed descriptions and the features.

First Aid Guidance are provided on the what to do in case of the snakebite and the immediate steps before the medical help arrives.

This is especially important in the remote or forested areas.

The app allows users to record the geographical location of snake encounters and to help the medical professionals to assess the risks more accurately

It also includes the info about the antivenom production of snake ad the research activities by the institute.

Reducing Misidentification

Costa Rica is home to the both venomous and non-venomous snakes and most of them are looking similar. With this it is also creating confusion in the mind of the people.

To address this situation the app will help to give information about the 12 commonly confused non-venomous species and also giving the side-by-side comparison feature.