Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Rosie Moore. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Rosie, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?
I am the founder and director of the Snake Conservation and Bite Awareness Foundation. My decision to start the foundation was deeply influenced by my experiences working with crocodilians in Belize. During this time, I observed the local practice of using bush medicine to treat snake bites, and witnessing the challenges and consequences of such methods was truly eye-opening. This exposure made me acutely aware of the global health crisis stemming from the shortage of antivenom.
Realizing the urgent need for proactive measures, I founded the SCBA. Our primary objective is to tackle these challenges head-on, emphasizing education and geospatial data collection. Importantly, our efforts extend beyond the realm of herpetology, aiming to make meaningful contributions to overall human health.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
My name is Rosie Moore, I am a wildlife researcher, freediver, and the Snake Conservation and Bite Awareness Foundation director. Armed with an MS in Geosciences, my expertise lies in utilizing geospatial data applications for wildlife research. Over the past decade, I’ve immersed myself in the world of apex predators, ranging from sharks to crocodiles and pythons.
Presently, my focus has shifted, and I dedicate my time to researching the herpetofauna of remote areas in Central and South America. My mission is to document and collect crucial data on antivenom availability while exploring perceptions of herpetofauna. Through this work, I aim to contribute significantly to understanding and conservating these vital creatures, ultimately promoting human-snake coexistence.
We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?
I found myself thrust into the social media spotlight when I posted a video of an astonishing encounter—an enormous python devouring an alligator. Little did I know that this viral moment would become a catalyst for a whirlwind of media attention, transforming me into a sought-after figure in both social and mainstream platforms.
Within days of sharing this footage, news stations from around the globe were knocking on my virtual door, all vying to cover my story. One of my first big interviews, CNN actually switched the story from the python to my personal life, showing my bikini pictures and referring to me as a real-life “Bond girl”. This really catapulted my social media following to what it is today.
I will say, that I do feel I face a somewhat unique challenge in this dual role—being a younger, allegedly attractive woman while trying to maintain a professional scientist appearance on social media. I’ve never been one to shy away from showing just a little bit of skin, and I think that both hurts and helps me in different aspects.
Any advice for managing a team?
I manage a fantastic team of scientists and conservationists; it takes a lot of passion and organization to make things come together. It’s easy to fall into the trap of wanting complete control over your foundation and your mission, but you really have to let go of that and lean into your support group. Having staff and volunteers who really get along and feel valued has been huge for our success.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.scbafoundation.org/
- Instagram: rosiekmoore
Image Credits
Only the underwater photos- Szilard Janko