What is the World Congress on Snakes 2026?

The World Congress on Snakes 2026 (WSC 2026) is the first-ever international conference dedicated exclusively to snake research, conservation, and education. It will be held October 1-4, 2026, in Kandy, Sri Lanka, bringing together leading ophiologists, herpetologists, and conservationists from around the world.

When and where is WSC 2026 taking place?

WSC 2026 will take place from October 1-4, 2026, at the Grand Kandyan Hotel in Kandy, Sri Lanka. Kandy is a UNESCO World Heritage city and a biodiversity hotspot.

What topics will be covered at the congress?

The congress will cover snake ecology, conservation, phylogeny, behavior, systematics, taxonomy, snakebite management, venomology, illegal wildlife trade, and human-wildlife coexistence. It includes keynote speeches, symposia, workshops, Sri Lanka & it's Herpetofaunas, and field trips.

Who should attend WSC 2026?

WSC 2026 is ideal for ophiologists, herpetologists, conservation biologists, researchers, students, wildlife practitioners, medical professionals working with snakebites, and anyone passionate about snake conservation and research.

How can I register for the congress?

You can register online through our website at https://www.worldsnakes26.com/registration/register-submit. Early bird registration offers discounted rates.

First World Congress on Snakes 2026 | Kandy, Sri Lanka

The World Congress on Snakes 2026 ("WSC 2026", "we", "us", or "our") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website (www.worldsnakes26.com), register for the Congress, or use our services.

1. Information We Collect

1.1 Personal Information

We collect personal information that you provide directly to us when you:

•Create an account (name, email address, password)
•Register for the Congress (name, affiliation, title, address, phone number, dietary preferences, special requirements)
•Submit abstracts (author names, affiliations, abstract content, presentation preferences)
•Make payments (billing information, payment method details)
•Book travel tours or accommodation (travel details, preferences)
•Contact us (name, email, message content)

1.2 Automatically Collected Information

When you visit our website, we automatically collect certain information, including:

•IP address and location data
•Browser type and version
•Device information
•Pages visited and time spent on pages
•Referring website addresses
•Cookies and similar tracking technologies

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

•Process and manage your Congress registration and payments
•Review, evaluate, and manage abstract submissions
•Communicate with you about the Congress, including updates, reminders, and important announcements
•Create and manage Congress programs, abstracts books, and participant lists
•Facilitate networking and collaboration among participants
•Process travel tour and accommodation bookings
•Respond to your inquiries and provide customer support
•Improve our website and services
•Comply with legal obligations and enforce our Terms of Service
•Send you promotional materials (with your consent, which you can withdraw at any time)

3. Information Sharing and Disclosure

We do not sell your personal information. We may share your information in the following circumstances:

3.1 Congress Materials

Your name, affiliation, and abstract information may be published in Congress materials, including:

•Congress program and schedule
•Abstracts book
•Participant directory (with your consent)
•Congress website

3.2 Service Providers

We may share information with third-party service providers who perform services on our behalf, such as:

•Payment processing
•Email delivery services
•Website hosting and analytics
•Travel tour and accommodation providers

These service providers are contractually obligated to protect your information and use it only for the purposes we specify.

3.3 Legal Requirements

We may disclose your information if required by law, court order, or government regulation, or to protect our rights, property, or safety, or that of others.

4. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your personal information against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. These measures include:

•Encryption of sensitive data in transit and at rest
•Secure payment processing
•Regular security assessments
•Access controls and authentication
•Staff training on data protection

However, no method of transmission over the Internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. While we strive to protect your information, we cannot guarantee absolute security.

5. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to:

•Remember your preferences and settings
•Analyze website traffic and usage patterns
•Improve website functionality
•Provide personalized content

You can control cookies through your browser settings. However, disabling cookies may limit your ability to use certain features of our website.

6. Your Rights and Choices

Depending on your location, you may have certain rights regarding your personal information, including:

•Access: Request a copy of the personal information we hold about you
•Correction: Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information
•Deletion: Request deletion of your personal information (subject to legal and contractual obligations)
•Objection: Object to processing of your information for certain purposes
•Withdrawal of Consent: Withdraw consent for marketing communications
•Data Portability: Request transfer of your data to another service provider

To exercise these rights, please contact us at teamsnakewdc@gmail.com. We will respond to your request within 30 days.

7. Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy, unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by law. For example:

•Registration and payment records are retained for accounting and legal purposes
•Abstract submissions may be retained for archival and research purposes
•Account information is retained while your account is active and for a reasonable period afterward

8. International Data Transfers

Your information may be transferred to and processed in countries other than your country of residence. These countries may have data protection laws that differ from those in your country. We take appropriate safeguards to ensure that your information receives adequate protection.

9. Children's Privacy

Our services are not intended for individuals under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If we become aware that we have collected information from a child, we will take steps to delete such information promptly.

10. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any material changes by posting the new Privacy Policy on this page and updating the "Last Updated" date. We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically.

11. Contact Us

If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us:

World Congress on Snakes 2026 Organizing Committee

Email: teamsnakewdc@gmail.com

Website: www.worldsnakes26.com

Location: Kandy, Sri Lanka

By using our services, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Privacy Policy and consent to the collection, use, and disclosure of your information as described herein.