Lucky escape for Bethune
But conservationist fears permanent damage after bite from jungle viper
Kiwi conservationist Pete Bethune had just walked past a pile of leaves when he felt a sudden jab in the back of his leg. Even before looking back, he knew he had just been bitten by one of the deadliest snakes in Central and South America – the fer de lance viper.
Speaking from his hospital bed in Costa Rica, Bethune said he saw leaves and made sure to be careful around it.
“I just missed him hiding under the leaf. I walked past him and he turned around and hit my calf from behind.
“When he hit me . . . I ( turned) around and here he is backing up.
“I knew straight away it was a fer de lance and I knew I was in trouble. “He did put a ton of poison in me.” The 55-year-old founder of nonprofit organisation Earthrace, was with several crew members when the incident happened yesterday.
They rushed to contact medical staff and make plans to get Bethune to safety for urgent medical help.
Crew members tried to carry Bethune through the jungle – but in steep terrain, he was forced to drag himself for about 2.5km.
“When you get bitten by one of these things, the best action is to lay still.”
At times Bethune had to crawl and drag himself down rugged jungle terrain and even through waterfalls to get to safety.
He was later piggybacked by a crew member on the beach, to a vessel that was waiting to get them to the mainland.
“By the end, I was basically incapacitated.”
He said had they not managed to get out before dark – forcing them to spend the night in the jungle – he doubted he would have survived.
Doctors continue to monitor his situation and he may require surgery after his left leg doubled in size overnight.
“I’m worried I’m going to end up with some permanent damage or something like that.
“The poison has reached my groin . . . and it has gotten progressively worse in the last day.
As of yesterday afternoon, there had been no further growth.
Asked about the snake after he was bitten, Bethune said it backed away as he and his crew did the same.
It was not harmed and staff only approached it again to get photos of it, as local doctors often want proof to know exactly what medication should be given.
Bethune was “happy to be alive” and would keep his fingers crossed he would soon be out of the woods.