honorary Life Members

 Shiela Broadley currently works at the Natural History Museum of Zimbabwe as an Assistant Curator of Herpetology.

Her main interest is understanding the ecology of lizards and how they can be conserved, especially those of fossorial lizards that include the reproduction which is still unknown for some species. She has written and coauthored a number of publications.

In the last three years (2021-2023) Shiela has managed to secure grants to publish checklists and occurrence data on the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) for the Zimbabwean reptiles and amphibians.

At present, she is in the process of writing up a Field Guide of Zimbabwe Lizards. 

Publications:

• Broadley, D.G. & Broadley, S. 1996. Geographical Distribution: Serpentes: Typhlopidae: Rhinotyphlops pallidus (Cope). African Herp News 25: 45.
• Broadley, D.G. & Broadley, S. 1997. A revision of the African genus Zygaspis Cope (Reptilia: Amphisbaenia). Syntarsus, 4: 1-23.
• Broadley, D.G. , Chidavaenzi, R.L., Rasmussen, G.S.A. & Broadley, S. 1998. The Herpetology of the Dande Communal Lands, Guruve District, Zimbabwe.
• Broadley, D.G. & Broadley, S. 1999. A review of the African Worm Snakes from south of Latitude 12dg S (Serpentes: Leptotyphlopidae). Syntarsus, 5: 1-36.
• Broadley, D.G.† & Broadley, S. 2017. Contribution to the study of African Herpetology: Bibliography, and the genera and species described by Dr Donald George Broadley. Syntarsus, 7: 1-26.
• Broadley, S. 2017. AGAMIDAE: Agama kirkii (Boulenger 1885) Kirk’s Rock Agama Sand-bathing. African Herp News 35-36. 
• Broadley, S. (in print) Preliminary Checklist of the Herpetofauna of Khami Heritage Site.
• Mafuwe K, Broadley S, Sithole N and Dhliwayo K. 2018. Freshwater Biodiversity of the Eastern Highlands of Zimbabwe: Assessing conservation priorities using primary species occurrence data v1.4. Natural History Museum of Zimbabwe. Dataset/Checklist. http://www.nhmbyo.co.zw/ipt/resource?r=eastern_highlands_species&=1.4
• Mafuwe, K. Broadley, S. and Moyo, S. 2022. Use of maximum entropy (Maxent) niche modelling to predict the occurrence of Threatened freshwater species in a biodiversity hotspot of Zimbabwe. African Journal of Ecology Volume 60 Issue 3. 557-565. https://doi.org/101111/aje.12928

" Shiela and her late husband Don have made an enormous contribution to our understanding of herpetology in Africa; so it gives us enormous pleasure to award Shiela with an Honorary Lifetime Membership."

 Dr. Sean P. Bush, M.D., F.A.C.E.P., is an emergency physician who studies venomous bites and stings. His work was the subject of the 11-part television series, Venom ER, aired by Animal Planet: 

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxbVAXt-3eRVU35aicgSQvg

Dr. Bush received a certificate of appreciation from the White House Medical Unit. Presently he lives in North Carolina with his son Jude, daughter Camille. He works at UNC Lenoir Health Care and on Teladoc. When he is not working, he likes to be with his kids as much as he can.

Publications:

• Recovery from Copperhead Snake Envenomation: Role of Age, Sex, Bite Location, Severity, and Treatment. Lavonas EJ, Burnham RI, Schwarz J...Bush SP, et al. J Med Toxicol. 2020 Jan;16(1):17-23. 
• The Efficacy of Antivenin Latrodectus (Black Widow) Equine Immune F(ab')2 Versus Placebo in the Treatment of Latrodectism: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Clinical Trial. Dart RC, Bush SP, Heard K, et al. Ann Emerg Med. 2019 Sep;74(3):439-449. 
• Antivenom Treatment Is Associated with Fewer Patients using Opioids after Copperhead Envenomation. Freiermuth, CE, Lavonas, EJ, Anderson VE, et al. and Copperhead Recovery Workgroup Bush SP, et al. Western Journal of Emergency Medicine: Integrating Emergency Care with Population Health. 2019. 20(3): 497-505. 
• Adverse Events in the Efficacy of Crotalidae Polyvalent Immune Fab Antivenom vs Placebo in Recovery from Copperhead Snakebite Trial. Mullins ME, Gerardo CJ, Bush SP, et al. SOUTHERN MEDICAL JOURNAL 2018; 111(12): 716-720. 
• Early administration of Fab antivenom resulted in faster limb recovery in copperhead snake envenomation patients. Anderson VE, Gerardo CJ, Rapp-Olsson M, Bush SP, et al. Clin Toxicol (Phila). 2018 Sep 3:1-6. 
• The Efficacy of Crotalidae Polyvalent Immune Fab (Ovine) Antivenom Versus Placebo Plus Optional Rescue Therapy on Recovery From Copperhead Snake Envenomation: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Clinical Trial. Gerardo CJ, Quackenbush E, Lewis B, Rose SR, Greene S, Toschlog EA, Charlton NP, Mullins ME, Schwartz R, Denning D, Sharma K, Kleinschmidt K, Bush SP, et al. Ann Emerg Med. 2017 Aug;70(2):233-244. 
• Comparison of F(ab')2 versus Fab antivenom for pit viper envenomation: a prospective, blinded, multicenter, randomized clinical trial. Bush SP, Ruha AM, Seifert SA, et al. Clin Toxicol (Phila). 2015 Jan;53(1):37-45. 
• Catastrophic acute ischemic stroke after Crotalidae polyvalent immune Fab (ovine)-treated rattlesnake envenomation. Bush SP, Mooy GG, Phan TH. Wilderness Environ Med. 2014 Jun;25(2):198-203. 
• Continuous IV Crotalidae Polyvalent Immune Fab (Ovine) (FabAV) for selected North American rattlesnake bite patients. Bush SP, Seifert SA, Oakes J, Smith SD, Phan TH, Pearl SR, Reibling ET. Toxicon. 2013 Jul;69:29-37. 
• Unified treatment algorithm for the management of crotaline snakebite in the United States: results of an evidence-informed consensus workshop. Lavonas EJ, Ruha AM, Banner W, Bebarta V, Bernstein JN, Bush SP, Kerns WP 2nd, Richardson WH, Seifert SA, Tanen DA, Curry SC, Dart RC; Rocky Mountain Poison and Drug Center, Denver Health and Hospital Authority. BMC Emerg Med. 2011 Feb 3;11:2. Free PMC Article
• Large snake size suggests increased snakebite severity in patients bitten by rattlesnakes in Southern california. Janes DN Jr, Bush SP, Kolluru GR. Wilderness Environ Med. 2010 Jun;21(2):120-6. 
• Snakebite suction devices don't remove venom: they just suck. Bush SP. Ann Emerg Med. 2004 Feb;43(2):187-8. 
• Crotalidae polyvalent immune Fab (ovine) antivenom is efficacious for envenomations by Southern Pacific rattlesnakes (Crotalus helleri). Bush SP, Green SM, Moynihan JA, Hayes WK, Cardwell MD. Ann Emerg Med. 2002 Dec;40(6):619-24.
• Reports of presumptive brown recluse spider bites reinforce improbable diagnosis in regions of North America where the spider is not endemic. Vetter RS, Bush SP. Clin Infect Dis. 2002 Aug 15;35(4):442-5. Epub 2002 Jul 24. 
• The diagnosis of brown recluse spider bite is overused for dermonecrotic wounds of uncertain etiology. Vetter RS, Bush SP. Ann Emerg Med. 2002 May;39(5):544-6. 
• Effects of a negative pressure venom extraction device (Extractor) on local tissue injury after artificial rattlesnake envenomation in a porcine model.Bush SP, Hegewald KG, Green SM, Cardwell MD, Hayes WK. Wilderness Environ Med. 2000 Fall;11(3):180-8. 
• Severe rattlesnake envenomation with anaphylaxis and rhabdomyolysis. Bush SP, Jansen PW. Ann Emerg Med. 1995 Jun;25(6):845-8.

"We have made Dr Bush an Honorary Lifetime Member in recognition of his sustained contributions to the treatment of venomous bites and stings."

Choti Singh is the Director of Mfuwe Snakebite Prevention in Zambia. 

Choti grew up in rural Zambia. Her fascination with snakes (and frogs) combined with compassion for all animal life, flourished in the wilds where she roamed when not compelled to be at school. With early exposure, encouragement, and access, this curiosity was fuelled into an enduring passion to not just observe, but also to conserve.

Choti studied Zoology and Animal Behaviour at universities in the USA and Canada, worked at science laboratories studying feeding behaviours in primates and snakes at the State University of New York, and has been active on the board of directors with Save The Snakes, and SAVE THE FROGS! - both non-profits based in the USA.

The indelible impression of her childhood homeland beckoned and she returned to live in Zambia. With start-up funding from SaveThe Snakes, she developed the Mfuwe Snakebite Prevention project in a rural district, raising awareness and promoting the conservation of snakes, while mitigating human-snake conflict to decrease snakebite.

Choti is a trained venomous snake handler with over 50 years of experience. She endeavours to conserve indigenous snake populations to preserve biodiversity while keeping the rural human community safe.

"We are delighted to award Choti with an Honorary Lifetime Membership for her contribution to snake conservation and promoting awareness in rural communities in Zambia. Her work over the last 50 years has not only saved human lives but also the lives of snake species."

Stephen went to Kenya when he was four and caught his first chameleon at the age of six. African herpetology is his main interest and he has spent 39 years on the continent.  He lectures in science at City College, Norwich, England, and travels to Africa whenever he can.  

Publications:

• ‘The Dangerous Snakes of Africa.
• Kenya, A Natural History.
• Field Guide to East African Reptiles.
• Handbook of Amphibians and Reptiles of North-east Africa

"One cannot talk about African reptiles without mentioning Steve. He is a legend and an inspiration to all of us. We owe him a huge debt of gratitude for his decades of work on the subject. We are delighted to award Steve with an Honorary Lifetime Membership in recognition of his outstanding contribution to African herpetology."