Snake Charmer Dies from Viper Bite During Lesson on Beating Reptile Phobia

gatagato · #1 ● 06-21-2013, 04:48 AM

Dieter Zorn died of heart attack minutes after being bitten by Aspic viper during educational show in France.

Dieter Zorn, 53

A German snake charmer has died after being bitten by a viper while teaching people to get over their fear of snakes and reptiles.

Dieter Zorn, 53, was attacked by a Aspic viper and died from a heart attack within minutes.

He was performing his Reptile Show in Faugeres, southern France, as part of a tour geared at helping people overcome their phobias.

The snake bit Zorn several times. He put it back in its container and then collapsed and died, local news website Midi Libre said.

Emergency services administered a blood-thinner to Zorn but were unable to save him.

He had worked with reptiles for 25 years. The mayor of La Redorte, Pierre-Henri Ilhe, said that while people in the town did not see Zorn often - he lived on the road much of the time - he was someone they liked.

Zorn's wife, Uschi Kallus, said he had suffered a rare allergic reaction. She added that he would not have wanted the snake blamed for his death.

She told The Local: "His ambition and his objective in life was to help people to conquer their fears about snakes and reptiles."

According to Zorn's website, the show was primarily one of education, with demonstrations and explanations about the animals.

"The public can get up close to different inoffensive snakes," the site says.

"Touching and holding, stroking, and carrying these harmless snakes is, for most people, unique and unforgettable. This experience helps us to get over unfounded fears and eliminate prejudices."

http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/articles/48...dies-heart.htm

invertigo · #2 ● 06-21-2013, 05:24 AM

Once when I was 11 my mom brought me to some A.A potluck/church decoration night. I was sitting at a craft table making easter decorations out of construction paper and glitter. After watching me for a minute or two a young mother and her son (who looked to be about 5 or 6) asked me if I would show them how to make a card. Said sure, but when it came time to assemble the damn thing, I accidentally stapled my thumb to the table...

(That's the only time I've ever injured my self with a stapler, and I use them a lot.)

invertigo · #3 ● 06-21-2013, 05:33 AM

This guy was the Steve Irwin of Germany.

I love snakes, but they can be very unpredictable. They should have had an epi-pen on site

We used to have a 7 ft boa constrictor, a Taiwanese Beauty and 4 corn snakes .

Angelahh · #4 ● 06-21-2013, 12:38 PM

Sounds like the venom is unpredictaable on those snakes.

from wiki:

Envenomation symptoms include rapidly spreading acute pain, followed by edema and discoloration. Severe haemorrhagic necrosis may occur within a few hours. Vision may be severely impaired, most likely due to degradation of blood and blood vessels in the eyes. The venom has both coagulant and anticoagulant effects. The venom may also affect glomerular structure, which can lead to death due to renal failure.

petedeamon · #5 ● 06-21-2013, 02:01 PM

At least it wasn't a fruity fish like the crocodile hunter,,,sigh

DannyDrama · #6 ● 06-21-2013, 03:22 PM

Poor bastard. He must have funked up pretty bad to have been bitten more than once. You need to focus with snakes, I've been bitten without even knowing it.