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Darwin Awards
2008 Slush Pile

This item was recently submitted by a reader.
Should I include it in the archive?
Vote to tell me what *you* think!

Venomous snake on the loose after b

2008 Reader Submission
Pending Acceptance

Venomous snake on the loose after biting Winnipeg man • Article

• Comments ( 25)

CHINTA PUXLEY

The Canadian Press October 20, 2008 at 8:19 PM EDT WINNIPEG — A poisonous African snake with the longest fangs of any reptile was unaccounted for Monday after biting a Winnipeg man in the face. Just one drop of venom from the Gaboon viper is fatal and eats away at human tissue much like flesh-eating disease. Although the snake is known for its docile nature, it's considered an illegal exotic pet under Winnipeg's bylaws and whoever owns it could be charged. “We believe somebody has possession of that snake and it's not just scurrying around somewhere or slithering around,” said Constable Jacqueline Chaput. But police didn't know whether the snake was still in the city, she added.

Enlarge Image

Dr. Pierre Plourde, tropical medicine expert for the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority, speaks to media at their Winnipeg office Monday after a 31-year-old man was bitten by a venomous Gaboon Viper. (John Woods/The Canadian Press)

“The snake is still at large and the investigation is continuing.” A 31-year-old Winnipeg man was brought to hospital Sunday with life-threatening injuries. Police said the man was able to tell hospital staff what happened and what treatment he needed before his condition deteriorated. He had to wait for an antivenin to be flown in from Toronto before he could be treated and was originally in critical condition. The man spent Monday in intensive care, but Const. Chaput said he was upgraded to stable. The victim's precarious state prevented officers from interviewing him, so it wasn't clear whether he owned the snake, she said But there was no evidence the snake was living at the man's home and it's not certain where he was when he was bitten. “Who owns the snake and where it's being housed has yet to be determined by the investigation. It's a very dangerous snake. It's highly venomous,” Const. Chaput said. The Gaboon viper lives along the equatorial belt of Africa. The snake's fangs can measure up to four centimetres long and it attacks prey quickly, burying venom deep inside the wound. Vipers can grow rather large, reaching up to almost two metres in length and weighing up to eight kilograms. “(It's a) fat, sluggish, slow snake until it strikes,” said Pierre Plourde, tropical medicine expert with the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority. “It strikes faster than the eye can see.” The viper will often strike defensively if it is accidentally stepped on but doesn't always release venom, he said. Once injected with the snake's poison, a victim's blood stops clotting. There can be blisters, inflammation and swelling to such a degree that amputation of the bitten limb is sometimes the only life-saving option, Mr. Plourde explained. But a facial injury “is a whole different ball game,” Mr. Plourde said. “Amputation is not an option in this case so antivenin becomes the most important treatment to administer.” Antiserums are exorbitantly expensive and have a limited shelf life, so there are only two antivenin centres in Canada, he said. Fatal snake bites are extremely rare with only half a dozen reported in Winnipeg in the last 20 years. Tim Dack, chief operating officer of Winnipeg's animal services, said finding a snake like this one would be a first in the city. He said there was no reason for people to be concerned. Even if the snake were out and about, it would be unlikely to pose that much of a threat as temperatures dip below freezing. “If this snake is in Winnipeg, it will be curled up somewhere. It's not something that you'll come across in the middle of the sidewalk,” said Mr. Dack, who added anyone who happens across the snake will know what to do. “If someone were to see a snake of this size, they would instinctively back away.” Police wouldn't release the bitten man's name and regional health officials said his family didn't want to speak to the media. Police were working with animal control officers because of the unusual nature of the case, Const. Chaput said. “It's pretty rare. It's definitely something we don't see very often.” http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20081020.wsnakebite1020/BNStory/National/home

Last Updated: Tuesday, October 21, 10:32 PM EDT

Submitted on 11/18/2008

Submitted by: Anonymous
Reference: The Canadian Press,October 20, 2008 at 8:19 PM EDT

Copyright © 2008 DarwinAwards.com

>> Moderator Scores <<

Bruce said:
Definitely Toss: Other
Thanks, but since the police don't even know how this man was bitten and the snake is apparently still on the loose we can't accept this. Aside from the rather odd location of the snakebite there's no indication at all that stupidity of any sort was involved. I'd also argue that with a dangerous snake like that on the loose there's a chance for other innocent bystanders to end up hurt. Please let us know if more details emerge on this story that would justify voting for it though. Thanks.


James said:
Definitely Toss: Other
As Bruce said!


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