Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 30, 2026
Captive Maintenance and Venom Extraction of Tityus serrulatus (Brazilian Yellow Scorpion) for Antivenom Production
Published on: October 6, 2023
A pilot study of occupational envenomations in North American zoos and aquaria
Rais Vohra1, Rick Clark, Nilofar Shah
1Department of Emergency Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Olive View Medical Center, Sylmar, CA, USA. raisvohra@hotmail.com
Objective:
To characterize occupational envenomations from exotic and native creatures, we surveyed North American zoos and aquaria.
Methods:
Survey questionnaires were mailed to curators at 216 zoos/aquaria which are accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and listed on the AZA website. Reptile curators were asked to complete the zoo surveys. The questions addressed the number and types of bites, availability of antivenom (AV) on the premises, and sources of general information about envenoming. Responses were kept anonymous.
Results:
A total of 216 surveys were mailed. The response rate was 58% for this pilot research project. Twenty-six (21%) of responding institutions replied that they had at least one incident of bite from a venomous species in the last 10 years. Species of animals included a variety of native and exotic terrestrial and marine species. There were no deaths or serious outcomes reported as complications of these incidents. Less than one-third of responding institutions reported having AVs on-site for medical use in case of envenomations. A variety of information sources, including internally developed protocols and poison center resources, were reported as sources of envenoming information for respondents.
Conclusions:
Clinicians and toxicologists should be prepared to care for cases of envenomations from exotic zoo or aquarium species such as the ones identified in this survey in their practice regions.
