National Museums of Kenya - Nairobi Snake Park

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Nairobi Snake Park

Introduction

Snake Park

Nairobi Snake Park (NSP) is one of the NMK attractions located adjacent to Nairobi National Museum and is extremely popular with visitors. On display are, cobras, puff adders, mambas and the large African-Rock python (non-poisonous) found only in Kenya. Several species of crocodile found in Africa, the American alligator, fresh water terrapins and tortoises are also on display aquariums holding coral fish from the East African lakes and rivers are a main feature of the park.

Historical Background

Visitors at Snake Park

The Nairobi Snake Park was started in 1959 to meet a popular attraction and to provide a research facility on reptiles, breeding habits, skin casting, food and reaction to climate change. It had been noted that such studies were difficult to be carried out in any other way.

Live snakes were exhibited on experimental basis at the entrance of the Museum in 1958 and were a great popular attraction. When the popularity was noted, the plot of land in front of the Museum and down to the Nairobi River was acquired by the Museum Trustees for the development of Botanical gardens and exhibit live snakes. This idea was developed further in 1959, when money was made available for a combined Snake Park and Snake study centre surrounded by a botanical garden and war memorial garden on one end.

Rock Python

By the end of 1960, the Snake Park was almost completed using funds made available by the War Memorial Committee. The Snake Park was opened to the public in January 1961. It attracted a lot of interest from the public, researchers, conservationist and educators. The Snake Park provided a popular amenity, as well as being most useful from the research point view, for both reptiles and plants, since a part of the gardens was to be devoted to indigenous flora. Tortoises and lizards were introduced that following year (1962). The Snake Park also attracted a number of researchers who donated a diversity of specimens locally and internationally. Specimens were brought in from India, Madagascar, Europe, and USA and South America. Among the donations was the American alligator brought in 1967 and two crocodiles in 1974.

Forest Cobra

Apart from the attraction, the Snake Park provided refuge and home for abandoned and unwanted reptiles including a giant tortoise that is still currently living at the park. The specimen was found wondering along a road in Limuru in 1961. The Snake Park has continued to provide refuge to a number of abandoned, threatened, rescued and unwanted reptiles to date.

The Snake Park has continued to attract visitors steadily over the years. The public in Nairobi over the years to date has continued to receive help in removal of snakes from residential premises as well as advice on handling of reptiles especially snakes. Snake identification service is also provided. Visitors to the Snake Park get to enjoy the exhibits of reptiles, fish and succulent plants.

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