Cobra bites security officer in Phuket

A man was hospitalised with swelling in his hand after he caught a large cobra in a bag in Kamala district. A security officer was bitten by a king cobra in Kamala district, Phuket province.

The incident occurred on August 20 after he managed to catch and place the poisonous snake in a bag. The man, who had already suffered swelling in his arm, was rushed to Wachira Phuket Hospital in Phuket Town for treatment. Rescuers from Kusoldarm Phuket in Patong were called to the scene.

They were joined by renowned local snake expert Vincent “Vinny” Modell, also known online as the “Snake Guy in Phuket.” Together, they removed the cobra, which was placed in a black garbage bag and plastic container, and returned it to Patong for assessment.

Vincent Modell specified that the snake is approximately 3.5-4 meters long and weighs 4.9 kilograms. According to him, the cobra was extremely aggressive when it was removed from the bag. “King cobras usually do not attack immediately, but first make false attacks.

This one was extremely excited. In the three to five minutes it was being examined and packed, it made more than seven attempts to bite me,” the specialist shared.

The king cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) is the largest venomous snake in the world, found in South and Southeast Asia. Its venom is neurotoxic, capable of causing paralysis and death. Encounters with cobras can be dangerous, especially for unprepared people. It is important to note that these snakes generally avoid conflict with humans and only attack if they are immediately threatened. Modell expressed confidence that the injured security guard would make a full recovery.

He also stressed that handling snakes is a dangerous activity that should be left to professionals. “Be careful when trying to catch a snake. The situation can get out of control very quickly,” the expert warned. This incident once again reminds us of the need to take precautions when encountering snakes and the importance of contacting qualified professionals.

Such situations, occurring in regions where poisonous snakes are common, highlight the importance of ensuring human safety. In Russia, for example, in the southern regions and the Far East, toxic snakes such as vipers and copperheads are also found.

It is essential to know the rules of behavior when encountering them and to be able to provide first aid in case of a bite. It is recommended to wear closed shoes and clothing when visiting forest and steppe areas. Before sitting or lying on the ground, carefully inspect the area. Additionally, avoid attempting to catch or kill snakes on your own. In case of a bite, you must immediately seek medical help.