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BIG OUCH!
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by Phobos on October 20, 2008
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Winnipeg man bitten by venomous African snake
Last Updated: Monday, October 20, 2008 | 11:42 AM CT
A Winnipeg man is receiving medical treatment after being bitten by an African snake on Sunday.
The 31-year-old St. Vital resident went to hospital on his own after being bitten in the face by a gaboon viper around 6 p.m. CT Sunday night, police said.
The man was knowledgeable about the snake, police said. He told hospital officials what had happened, and how much time they had to get antivenin to him.
That antivenin had to be flown in from Toronto and was being administered Monday morning.
The man's condition had deteriorated to critical before the antivenin arrived, police said. By Monday morning his condition had been upgraded to "guarded but unstable."
Police do not yet know how or where the man came to be in contact with the snake. They are investigating, along with animal control officials.
"There is no indication that the snake is in the city at this time," police said Monday in a release."
Gaboon vipers, native to the tropical rainforests of equatorial Africa, have the longest fangs of any snake and are extremely venomous. They are also known for their docile nature.
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RE: BIG OUCH!
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by Crotalusssp on October 20, 2008
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That was a serious miss calculation. I would not be surprised if ethanol played a part. A Darwin Award Near Miss.
Charles
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RE: BIG OUCH!
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by tigers9 on October 21, 2008
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http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/story/4240504p-4883591c.html
Venomous snake likely 'hot': expert
By: Scott Gibbons
Updated: October 21, 2008 at 12:28 PM CDT
A bizarre incident involving a potentially fatal snake bite is proof it's necessary to ban some exotic animals from the city, says the owner of a Winnipeg reptile business.
"No one should have these in the city...," said Casey Trizpit, of Winnipeg Reptiles. "It's not right. What if one does get loose?"
A Winnipeg man was bitten in the face by a gaboon viper Sunday evening and rushed to St. Boniface Hospital.
The St. Vital snake enthusiast was conscious when he arrived and was able to identify the venomous snake for medical staff before losing consciousness.
The 31-year-old man was upgraded to stable condition late Monday afternoon, after being treated with an antivenin flown in from Ontario. His family has asked that no other updates be released.
The snakes are banned in city limits, but not by all Manitoba municipalities.
Until Sunday's incident, Trizpit said the only gaboon vipers he knew of in Manitoba were located at the Westman Reptile Gardens, just east of Brandon.
Trizpit suspects the snake was 'hot', sold illegally from a private collection. To acquire the snake legally, a potential owner would need an import/export licence since the species usually comes from the U.S.
"This is what happens when they get into the wrong hands," he said. Trizpit helped organized the Manitoba Reptile Breeders' Expo two weeks ago to promote the hobby and said the incident doesn't help legitimate reptile enthusiasts.
"This kind of thing scares the public," he said.
Winnipeg police said Monday they don't know the whereabouts of the snake, but believe it's in somebody's possession.
Dave Shelvey, who owns Westman Reptile Gardens, said the vipers are popular with collectors because, at two inches long, have the longest fang of all venomous snakes.
The fat, sluggish snake is native to equatorial Africa and can reach up to four to six feet (1.2-1.8 metres) in length. It is considered to be a very docile snake.
It is Africa's most venomous snake and can inject up to two teaspoons of venom, with less than a drop being fatal. It's unknown how much went into the victim.The venom destroys tissue, much like flesh-eating disease and often the only life-saving measure is amputation. It also prevents blood clotting and puts 'severe shock' on the heart.
Trizpit said he doesn't agree with all the exclusions on the city's exotic bylaw list, but supports the ban of the vipers and other poisonous snakes.
"I myself would not want anything that could potentially kill me," he said. "Why would I want to put myself, my kids, my girlfriend lives in jeopardy?"
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RE: BIG OUCH!
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by Cro on October 21, 2008
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Gosh, where do we start.......
There is so much wrong with this post.....
Just what are those Canucks smoking ????
First of all, we only know a reptile keeper was bitten in the face by a Gaboon Viper, and so far, is still surviving the bite. Until the details of how the bite happened come out, why speculate ???? Also, until we know the legality of the snake, why specullate ?????
While it is quite possible that the person was keeping the snake illegally, we really do not know, and now we now have some nit-whit reporter called Scott Gibbons from the Whinnipeg Free Press running around trying to create a story.
He has looked up some nit-whit pet shop owner, and cristened him a reptile "Expert." Gosh, I know I allways to to Petsmart or Petco when I need a reptile expert, LOL ! With one flapping of his gums, Mr. Trizpit of the pet shop has now told the world that a "Hot" snake, is an "illegal" snake. Perhaps in Canada, but, down here, a "Hot" snake is a "Venomous" snake, not necessarily an illegal snake.
While the pet shop owner does state that the incident doesn't help legitimate reptile entusiasts, nor does his speculation, before knowing the facts of the incident.
Then our reporter took a trek out to the Westman Reptile Gardens, where he found out that "Gaboon Vipers are popular with collectors because they have the longest fangs of all venomous snakes." Really ?
Gosh, I did not know that folks liked Gaboons because of how long the fangs are. I always kind of figgured it was because they were cool looking snakes with fantastic cryptic coloration and pattern and body shape.
Gosh, we also find out from "Scotty" the reporter that Gaboon venom destroys tissue like "flesh-eating disease." Really ? I always thought that the bacterial necrotizing fasciitis was an infection, not a digestive process............
Then our "Expert" goes on to say that he supports a ban on the vipers and other "poisonous" snakes. Guess he sells Ball Pythons at his pet shop ????
Folks, don't ever talk with reporters, as they are bound to not listen to you, and create what ever they want for a more sensational story, despite the facts.
Best Regards John Z.
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RE: BIG OUCH!
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by Crotalusssp on October 21, 2008
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I saw one "Expert" who stated he was puzzled at the bite of a Gaboon, because they were a bit like "teddy bears". That statement is SCARY!!!!!!!!
Charles
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