|
1-10 of 11 messages
|
Page 1 of 2
Next
|
|
Unlucky first
|
Reply
|
|
by Phobos on March 12, 2009
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
I was told of someone who was on the wrong end of an adult Bitis parviocula (Ethiopian Mountain Adder) today/last night. This is the first recorded bite by this speciess in the USA. There is no specific A/V for this species. These guys seem more like puff adders than Gabbys or Rhinos in build and behavior, so this is a serious life-threating event.
I'm told that this is already a media circus, so be prepaired for the bad press.
I will not name the victim but positive prayers for him will end up in the right place, so keep him in your thoughts.
Al
|
| |
|
RE: Unlucky first
|
Reply
|
|
by Existential on March 12, 2009
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
I found a news story on this - according to the article, he is stable condition. My thoughts go out to him and his family.
http://www.woai.com/news/local/story/Ingram-man-bitten-by-African-viper/YHxnQAGQM0yP80T_EuAAdQ.cspx
|
| |
|
RE: Unlucky first
|
Reply
|
|
by Rob_Carmichael on March 14, 2009
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
I spoke to Earl's wife last night and he's doing much better (of course, that's relatively speaking after taking a hit by any Bitis). A host of complications occurred early on including an allergic reaction to the SAIMR A/V. Earl's a tough, big 'ol Texas boy and I think that helped in some way. It looks like he will make a full recovery - worse case, possibly the loss of a digit. It happened while preparing the snake for shipping and we all know that this is one of the most dangerous times when working with hots due to that many variables are at play. Some of the most respected folks in the field got nailed in the same exact circumstance. Earl was very careful and even then, an accident happened and that's a lesson learned - it can happen to anyone.
At our facility, this is what we do when bagging a venomous herp for shipping:
1) Two staff: one holds the bagger while the other places the snake in the bag. Once in the bag and at the very bottom, we twirl the bag and then use our gentle giants to "clamp" off the snake so it can't move back towards the opening.
2) Once clamped, we use a sturdy snake hook and lay flat on the floor and move it towards the snake so that there is no slack whatsoever in the bag (which gives the snake to strike and possibly have enough distance to make contact). We hold the hook down keeping plenty of distance from where the snake is at.
3) During this time, a knot is tied closer to the snake hook. A second knot is tied approx. 6" towards the open end...that's the only place where a hand is allowed to touch the bag at this point (always making sure the bag never comes close to your body).
4) Once in the shipping crate, I only use hooks and hemostats to move things around.
To open a bag that I received, I basically follow the same steps in reverse except that I also use a hemostat to clamp the bag while I'm untying the knot(s) just in case the snake sneaks under the hook I'm using to hold the bag/snake down. Once untied, I use my gentle giants to carry the bag into the cage and once into position, I unclamp the hemostats and slide the bag through a small crack on the door while the snake enters its exhibit.
It's hard to explain w/out a demonstration but hopefully, it makes some sense.
Our prayers and thoughts are out to Earl for a speedy recovery.
|
| |
|
RE: Unlucky first
|
Reply
|
|
by jparker1167 on March 14, 2009
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
|
i hope he is doing well, rob great post like you said it is a big risk when you packing or unpacking a venomous animal. the way you do it makes it a lot safer. maybe next time you can have someone snap some pics of the process : )
|
| |
|
RE: Unlucky first
|
Reply
|
|
by Cro on March 14, 2009
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
Rob makes some good points about safely shipping venomous snakes.
One thing that I have seen over the years, is reptile dealers being cheap, and using the smallest snake bag they can get by with. This causes the knot in the bag to be very close to the snake, and the snake can not be easily restricted to the bottom of the bag by using a snake hook like Rob mentioned.
This causes your hands to have to be very close to the snake in the bag when you un-tie the knot.
It is much better and safer to use a deeper snake bag. This leaves more room for tying and untying the knot in the bag.
I have even seen dealers who used old, long sleeve, pullover shirts for snake bags! They tied knots in the sleeves, and on both ends of the shirt, thus creating a very, very unsafe bag.
Shipping venomous snakes is something that folks should not cut corners on at all. Double bagging is safer than single bagging. And shipping crates should be made of sturdy material.
Best Regards
John Z
|
| |
|
Update on Earl
|
Reply
|
|
by Rob_Carmichael on March 16, 2009
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
|
I spoke to Earl today and he is home and doing okay - still in a lot of pain but taking it day by day. Earl took every safety measure when packing this snake - it was just a freak accident that could have happened to any of us and a stark reminder about the risks everyone takes when working with hots. I'm glad Earl is back home and he will recover....and knowing him, will be back in the field in no time.
|
| |
|
RE: Unlucky first
|
Reply
|
|
by Buzztail1 on March 16, 2009
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
I am glad to see that Earl survived this.
It is never good to be the first.
I always imagine the surprise that must have been involved in dying from any of the rear fanged snakes from Africa that were thought to be harmless for decades.
Bites are something to be avoided regardless of how you might think it will turn out.
I sincerely hope that Earl doesn't suffer any long term effects from his bite.
R/
Karl
|
| |
|
Email Subscription
You are not subscribed to this topic.
Subscribe!
My Subscriptions
Subscriptions Help
Check our help page for help using
, or send questions, comments, or suggestions to the
Manager.
|
