A staff member at Lundy Elementary School in El Paso was bitten by a snake on school grounds, and the dead animal was discarded before El Paso Animal Services could identify it.
No students were nearby, and all remained safe, but the missing identification left families and staff without a clear answer about what kind of danger was involved, KFOX reported.
Here's what to know
At Lundy Elementary School, a staff member was bitten by a snake on school grounds, but no students were in the area, and all children remained safe.
Principal Hillery Smith told the school community that officials responded right away and took steps to protect students and staff.
The employee was taken to a hospital after the bite.
In a second statement, the district outlined measures it takes to prevent such incidents.
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"El Paso ISD takes preventive measures to help reduce the presence of wildlife on campus grounds, including regular pest control and efforts to eliminate potential food sources such as rodents and insects that may attract snakes," officials stated.
More background
According to El Paso Animal Services, officers were notified only after the staff member was bitten.
When they reached the campus, the employee had already left for medical care, and the dead snake had been disposed of.
That meant officers could not identify the type of snake involved.
Incidents like the snakebite at Lundy Elementary School are part of a broader uptick in human-wildlife encounters.
According to the BBC, rising temperatures, land development, and habitat encroachment are forcing wildlife into ever-increasing proximity to humans, driving the rate of dangerous incidents higher.
At Lundy Elementary School, the message to families focused on student and staff safety.
"The well-being of our students and staff remains our top priority," Smith assured the community.
Where can I learn more?
Incidents like this are unfolding elsewhere too, with snakes showing up near playgrounds, in neighborhoods, and around other public spaces. The articles here cover venomous snakes near playgrounds, behavior changes that bring them into communities, and rising snakebite risks in warming regions.
• In Singapore, a venomous snake on a playground forced urgent warnings for families.
• In California, recent snake behavior has experts urging people to stay vigilant outdoors.
• In India, rising snakebite incidents are being tied to hotter temperatures.
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