Chikkamagaluru: Snake expert bitten by King Cobra while posing for camera, dies


Daijiworld Media Network - Chikkamagaluru

Chikkamagaluru, Sep 23: A noted snake expert died after he was bitten by a venemous snake while posing for the camera at Kalkodu near Kalasa here on Tuesday September 22.

The deceased, Prafuldas Bhat (66), died after he was bitten by a King Cobra.

It is learnt that Bhat had been to a plantation to catch a King Cobra, and after succeeding in the task, he held the reptile in his hands to pose for a photograph, when it bit him.

Bhat was rushed to hospital, but the venom spread so fast that he died on the way.

Prafuldas Bhat was an expert snake catcher with over three decades of experience, during which he had caught several different species of snakes and released them in forests, it is said.

  

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Comment on this article

  • Vern L, Thailand

    Sun, Oct 04 2015

    Really sad to see a guy who has done so much good come to an untimely death. Just last week I let a 2 meter king cobra go in the wild. I've handled venomous snakes for 8 years. This time it almost got my leg with a very fast bite.

    King cobras are something special. They are extra dangerous, and my favorite snake for sure. But, the only snake in Thailand that I am really afraid of still.

    I dedicated Ophiophagushannah to this snake. Awesome and so dangerous...

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • G M Hegde, Udupi

    Thu, Sep 24 2015

    A bad day at work.. May his soul rest in peace for the service rendered to the people and to the species..

    DisAgree [1] Agree [4] Reply Report Abuse

  • Societal Web, Dubai

    Thu, Sep 24 2015

    Reading this article I looked around my chair and corners - just in case - gosh taking it for granted with a king Cobra because you have experience? Sometimes experience makes us feel a little careless (too much of confidence leads to carelessness) and that is when it happens. Sad to lose this man. Must be a great guy.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [4] Reply Report Abuse

  • paul dsouza, balakunje

    Wed, Sep 23 2015

    SNAKE IS SNAKE AFTER ALL. YOU FEED ANY AMOUNT OF MILK IT WILL BITE ONLY.

    DisAgree [5] Agree [8] Reply Report Abuse

  • Rudolf, Mumbai

    Wed, Sep 23 2015

    With due homage to Bhatji's untimely demise,

    Sep 23 2015 : Mirror (Mumbai)
    Selfies have killed more people than sharks this year
    LONDON
    
    
    More people have died this year while taking selfies than from being killed by shark attacks, a shocking new survey has revealed. In fact, in recent years, there have been several deaths linked to selfies, so much so that some nations have even begun warning citizens about the dangers.
    Last week, Hideto Ueda, a Japanese tourist fell down steps at the entrance to the Taj Mahal while posing for a selfie. The tragic end of the 66-year-old man in Agra took the selfie death toll this year to 12, according to the survey conducted by Mashable.com.

    There have been only eight deaths resulting from shark attacks worldwide. Four of the selfie deaths this year were caused by falling, while the other victims died after being hit by a train or while attempting dangerous climbs to take the selfie.

    Waterton Canyon in Denver, Colorado, had to close because visitors couldn't stop trying to take selfies with the bears, the Daily Mirror reported.And Disney has banned selfies at all its theme parks over safety concerns.

    Recently, the Russian Interior Ministry released a brochure warning that selfies “could cost you your life“. “Before taking a selfie, everyone should think about the fact that racing after a high number of `likes' could lead you on a journey to death,“ an aide to Russia's interior minister told Al Jazeera.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [11] Reply Report Abuse

  • SUHAN, Mangalore

    Wed, Sep 23 2015

    Very sad incident. His work has to be appreciated as he caught hundreds of snakes and left them in forests. But we all know that never to mess with snakes and wild animals, here also he unnecessarily posed for the photographs with a very strong king cobra and when the camera flashed it frightened and bite him. Moreover, after certain age like 60 one should not undertake adventure like snake catching. RIP

    DisAgree [1] Agree [14] Reply Report Abuse

  • R.Bhandarkar, Mangaluru

    Wed, Sep 23 2015

    After 60 man still ventures to marry...
    What other adventure ..you are talking of Suhan?
    Forgot recent case of Diggy..
    Many men think..
    Darr ke Aage Jeeth Hai...
    And go and marry...O.k! After that the less said of 'Jeeth' the better!
    Many like this are then found near Jeeth Bar in search of fresh DEW!

    DisAgree [14] Agree [7] Reply Report Abuse

  • stan, duba

    Wed, Sep 23 2015

    A queen bee will only mate once in her life, though it will be with several males, even as many as fifteen. But after mate queen bee will kill all the male bees. still male bees will take risk and try to mate with queen bees. This is life

    DisAgree [1] Agree [14] Reply Report Abuse

  • silverfox, USA

    Thu, Sep 24 2015

    I was very sorry to hear about the sad news. However, as any snake handler should know, you hold the head of the snake all the time in such a way that it cannot turn around and bite you. Mr. Bhat momentarily had the lapse that cost his life.
    Normally King cobras just hiss at you with threatening open mouth but seldom bites poison is very precious for them and they keep it for prey. It was a very unfortunate incident. May his soul rest in peace.

    DisAgree Agree [4] Reply Report Abuse

  • B.S. Badarinarayan, Bangalore

    Wed, Sep 23 2015

    very sad to see ,he want to save others life due to crazy for photos person life taken.the king cobra has got power full way of spitting venom if falls on eyes eye sight will go. pray god his soul RIP

    DisAgree Agree [7] Reply Report Abuse

  • PRADEEP, MANGALORE

    Wed, Sep 23 2015

    KILL THE COBRA NOW......

    DisAgree [27] Agree [19] Reply Report Abuse

  • john pinto, mangalore/dubai

    Wed, Sep 23 2015

    why to kill cobra?it was walking on its way. any creature doesn't harm human being unless we harm them. cobra did nothing to bhat. bhat went to catch him so its right to defend. every creature has its own right. it must have come there to feed its stomach. what is bhats business there?some king cobras are so poisonous that their breath is also poison.god has not created anything without purpose.if there are no snakes we cannot walk with full of rats around which are dangerous for health. snakes donot spread any disease as rats

    DisAgree [6] Agree [43] Reply Report Abuse

  • True Indian, kudla

    Wed, Sep 23 2015

    Next time dont leave any snakes on forest . better to leave it near to Mr. Pinto's Home. So when he is asking for someones help tell him the same . I understand your statement that its better not to kill them but think before you comment.

    DisAgree [25] Agree [20] Reply Report Abuse

  • gireesh, bangalore

    Wed, Sep 23 2015

    PURE ADHIKAPRASANGA...
    this is a lesson ...donot mess with innocent animals for your stupid fame and name.

    DisAgree [28] Agree [16] Reply Report Abuse

  • Robert Pais, Mangalore

    Wed, Sep 23 2015

    I agree it is a lessen. But it is too late for Mr. Bhat. He will not be able to read the comments.
    Now a days there are deaths due to selfies and posing for a picture perhaps was a momentary weakness.
    Any snake catcher without rapid access to anti-venom is always at risk- picture or no picture!!!!

    King Cobra venom even though less potent than smaller cobras, is deadly because of its sheer volume.
    Since we have King Cobras in Captivity, why not collect their venom regularly to raise anti venom?

    DisAgree [3] Agree [21] Reply Report Abuse

  • john pinto, mangalore/dubai

    Wed, Sep 23 2015

    I wonder how he catches snakes? once upon a time I saw an ordinary cobra near my place oh my god forget about catching!!! it was hissing and opening its head wide with anger or fear i dont know. i ran 1 kmt without looking back and i explained the matter at home and at home they made me so scare and i couldn't sleep that whole night, bcoz at home they said the snake has got camera in his eyes and it will some home come and bite you. that incident is still vivid in my memory even today.

    DisAgree [6] Agree [21] Reply Report Abuse

  • Hubert D'souza, Mangalore Dubai

    Wed, Sep 23 2015

    Govt Must Take Strict Action Against Selfies Those Making Harm To Humans. RIP .

    DisAgree [4] Agree [26] Reply Report Abuse

  • Af,, Mangaluru

    Wed, Sep 23 2015

    stupid people killed a professional man due to their selfish motive.

    DisAgree [4] Agree [37] Reply Report Abuse

  • vivek, hirebyle/Abu dhabi

    Wed, Sep 23 2015

    Totally I agree with your comment.....the photographer wanted to become a director....indirectly he become a murderer...

    DisAgree [4] Agree [17] Reply Report Abuse

  • Raghavendra Navada, KUNDAPURA

    Wed, Sep 23 2015

    ಕೆಲವರಿಗೆ ಸೆಲ್ಫಿ, ಕ್ಯಾಮರಾ ಪೋಸು ಹುಚ್ಚು ಎಷ್ಟಾಗಿದೆ ಎಂದರೆ ಸಮಾಜದ ಕೆಲವೊಂದು ಸಮಸ್ಯೆ ವಿಪರೀತಕ್ಕೆ ಹೋಗಲು ಇವುಗಳೇ ಕಾರಣವಾಗಿದೆ

    DisAgree [3] Agree [31] Reply Report Abuse

  • Rudolf Rodrigues, Mumbai

    Wed, Sep 23 2015

    RIP sir!!

    King Cobra's bite potentially pumps in venom of The doses range from 200 to 500 mg and even higher. A bite by a King Cobra can lead to death within thirty minutes. One bite can actually kill approximately 20 men. There are even records of King Cobras that have killed elephants in a few hours. In the context of this, this expert catcher should have taken great precaution!! Looks like posing for pict with the catch led to his nemesis!!!

    DisAgree [4] Agree [37] Reply Report Abuse

  • Samson Rebello , Kallianpur/Dubai

    Wed, Sep 23 2015

    Rudolf King Cobra never bites any prey which it cannot eat with maximum venom. For it venom is precious. It can control the venom inject. Thats the reason it hiss first to warn, but when danger comes closer it bites with minimum venom. Unless it is really harmed and disturbed it never kills any human being.

    Here the dose of poison and Mr. Bhats age also should be considered. RIP Mr. Bhat.

    DisAgree [3] Agree [6] Reply Report Abuse

  • R.Bhandarkar, Mangaluru

    Wed, Sep 23 2015

    Moral:
    With Your Wife
    With Your Hmmmmmmmmmm...
    With King Cobra...
    Always be ready for the unexpected Hiss and Bite....
    This I know-all will agree for they are experienced.
    R.I.P. Bhatji....

    DisAgree [20] Agree [33] Reply Report Abuse

  • R.Bhandarkar, Mangaluru

    Wed, Sep 23 2015

    I think those who have disagreed have
    'Naga Dosha'...
    Is it not?

    DisAgree [8] Agree [28] Reply Report Abuse

  • stan, dubai

    Wed, Sep 23 2015

    Why you compare your wife with King cobra??????

    DisAgree [2] Agree [14] Reply Report Abuse

  • R.Bhandarkar, Mangaluru

    Wed, Sep 23 2015

    If your wife does not Hiss or Bite
    occasionally tell me honestly what does she do?
    Sing lullabies always??

    DisAgree [2] Agree [18] Report Abuse

  • Mangalore Voice, Kavoor

    Wed, Sep 23 2015

    Nowadays lot of people are dying because of selfie and photography. Some time people become crazy to take photographs even if it is dangerous. It may be dangerous places or animals or snakes they think it very easy and die. RIP Bhat.

    DisAgree [3] Agree [9] Reply Report Abuse

  • Santan Mascarenhas, Kinnigoli/Mumbai

    Wed, Sep 23 2015

    I heard of a company, that, when it opened their fine chemical factory in Mulund, some 40 years ago, had kept anti-venom injection ready in the first aid box, since the factory was in the midst of nature, with clear instruction to the supervisors to take the snake bitten employee immediately to the nearby hospital along with the relevant injection.
    I think this man should have known the consequences of his adventure. RIP to him.

    DisAgree [3] Agree [19] Reply Report Abuse

  • r.r, managlore

    Wed, Sep 23 2015

    R.I.P. this man also died same like Steve Irwin who was died because of stingray fish.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [22] Reply Report Abuse

  • stan, dubai

    Wed, Sep 23 2015

    Now a days you can't believe humans and how he believed King Cobra is in control?????

    DisAgree [5] Agree [24] Reply Report Abuse

  • HENRY MISQUITH, Bahrain

    Wed, Sep 23 2015

    Snakes & politicians are dangerous...

    DisAgree [3] Agree [62] Reply Report Abuse

  • Valerian D'souza, Udupi / Mumbai

    Wed, Sep 23 2015

    So sad, a snake catcher saving life expired.
    Publicity consciousness, undermined safety consciousness.
    Sadly defeat of purpose.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [19] Reply Report Abuse

  • Valerian vas, Mangalore

    Wed, Sep 23 2015

    Now who will catch cobras

    DisAgree [4] Agree [19] Reply Report Abuse

  • Langoolacharya., Belman/Washington,DC.

    Wed, Sep 23 2015

    People,

    All wild animals are highly unpredictable by nature...so one should be extra careful while dealing with them...its sad such an experienced guy lost his life after catching hundreds of snakes...RIP Prafuldas..

    ...JH...

    DisAgree [2] Agree [19] Reply Report Abuse

  • Ranjith Rodrigues, udupi

    Wed, Sep 23 2015

    sad to hear of his demise, but everyone wants to be a hero these days, irrespective of the dangers involved....we see this so often on our roads esp. with bike and bus accidents with reckless drivers.

    Am sure the owners of the plantation might have requested a picture of him with the snake, and the poor chap relented, and he got bitten because of a lapse in his judgment...now who will take care of his livelihood? Maybe the owners should pay his family a lumpsum to look after their needs...

    DisAgree [16] Agree [13] Reply Report Abuse

  • Kashi, Bedra

    Wed, Sep 23 2015

    RIP.

    DisAgree [3] Agree [9] Reply Report Abuse

  • Hussain, Abudhabi

    Wed, Sep 23 2015

    One small mistake and he had to pay his life ..Really sad
    How many lives has been lost due to photography?!!

    DisAgree [2] Agree [25] Reply Report Abuse

  • Rakshith Naik , Mangalore

    Wed, Sep 23 2015

    R.I.P Sir.

    DisAgree [3] Agree [11] Reply Report Abuse

  • vivek, hirebyle/Abu dhabi

    Wed, Sep 23 2015

    I heard about this man...he was herpetologist of national geographic reach.....30 years of profession experience.....but finally perfection still lag behind destiny...salute for this man....for untired...no profit...social service to crawd out the fear....R.I.P.....you will be missed....

    DisAgree [4] Agree [40] Reply Report Abuse

  • Rita, Germany

    Wed, Sep 23 2015

    whoever it is or whatever experts they are,one should be very careful or carry a emergency kit with them when you deal with venomous Reptils.shouldnt go too near to them.Afterall they are wild animals,very venomous,hardly have time to Treatment.Reptil must have felt with lights etc disturbed and bite him.So sorry he himself couldnt help for his life.may his Soul rest in peace.

    DisAgree [7] Agree [28] Reply Report Abuse

  • SUHAN, Mangalore

    Wed, Sep 23 2015

    Precaution is better than cure. First aid kit will not help for a full bite of king cobra. as its one ion to the body may cause death in 30 seconds

    DisAgree [1] Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse


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Title: Chikkamagaluru: Snake expert bitten by King Cobra while posing for camera, dies



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