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West Midlands Safari Park snake handler bitten by cobra | West Midlands Safari Park snake handler bitten by cobra |
(about 4 hours later) | |
A snake handler at West Midlands Safari Park had to be airlifted to hospital after being bitten by a venomous snake. | A snake handler at West Midlands Safari Park had to be airlifted to hospital after being bitten by a venomous snake. |
Keeper Mark O'Shea is said to be in a "stable condition" after the bite by a king cobra on Sunday afternoon. | Keeper Mark O'Shea is said to be in a "stable condition" after the bite by a king cobra on Sunday afternoon. |
Director Bob Lawrence said Mr O'Shea, who has presented TV shows and written books on reptiles, was bitten as he tried to feed the snake. | Director Bob Lawrence said Mr O'Shea, who has presented TV shows and written books on reptiles, was bitten as he tried to feed the snake. |
He said that, although king cobras were one of the most venomous snakes, it had only been "a minor nip". | He said that, although king cobras were one of the most venomous snakes, it had only been "a minor nip". |
Mr Lawrence said he hoped Mr O'Shea, from Telford, in Shropshire, would leave hospital within the next day. | Mr Lawrence said he hoped Mr O'Shea, from Telford, in Shropshire, would leave hospital within the next day. |
Venom from a king cobra can kill animals up to the size of an elephant if it enters their bloodstream. | Venom from a king cobra can kill animals up to the size of an elephant if it enters their bloodstream. |
Mr O'Shea has previously presented TV programmes on reptiles for Channel 4, the Discovery Channel and Animal Planet. | Mr O'Shea has previously presented TV programmes on reptiles for Channel 4, the Discovery Channel and Animal Planet. |
Sleeping Beauty | Sleeping Beauty |
He has also written several books on the creatures. | He has also written several books on the creatures. |
Mr Lawrence said the safari park, in Bewdley, Worcestershire, stored anti-venom for all of its venomous animals and routinely rehearsed such situations with local hospitals. | |
He added: "It is very, very rare that these things ever happen. | He added: "It is very, very rare that these things ever happen. |
"Working with animals like this always carries hazards with it, but we have safety measures in place." | "Working with animals like this always carries hazards with it, but we have safety measures in place." |
He said Mr O'Shea had been with another member of staff when he was bitten by the 14-year-old female snake, called Sleeping Beauty, which has been at the safari park for 10 years. | He said Mr O'Shea had been with another member of staff when he was bitten by the 14-year-old female snake, called Sleeping Beauty, which has been at the safari park for 10 years. |
Mr Lawrence added that a full investigation would be carried out into the incident. | Mr Lawrence added that a full investigation would be carried out into the incident. |
He said: "You can't blame the snake for what happened - it's not its fault." | He said: "You can't blame the snake for what happened - it's not its fault." |
A spokeswoman for West Midlands Ambulance Service said Mr O'Shea had already received "excellent first aid" from staff who immobilised his leg and had anti-venom ready to administer if needed. | A spokeswoman for West Midlands Ambulance Service said Mr O'Shea had already received "excellent first aid" from staff who immobilised his leg and had anti-venom ready to administer if needed. |
The ambulance service said: "Due to the fact the venom can be lethal if it enters the bloodstream, the man was airlifted to hospital as a precaution." | The ambulance service said: "Due to the fact the venom can be lethal if it enters the bloodstream, the man was airlifted to hospital as a precaution." |
Medics at the hospital were alerted ahead of Mr O'Shea's arrival. | Medics at the hospital were alerted ahead of Mr O'Shea's arrival. |