A 28-year-old snake catcher who regularly handled venomous reptiles died after being bitten by a cobra while recording content for social media at his home in Odisha, India. The tragedy has renewed concerns about the dangers of handling deadly wildlife for online videos.
A video showing a man handling a venomous snake has drawn attention online after reports emerged that the man died following a cobra bite while filming the footage in eastern India.
The victim was identified as Tapan Kumar Pradhan, a 28-year-old snake rescuer from Kanthapur village in Puri district, in the state of Odisha. According to Indian media reports, the incident occurred on Friday, October 9, while he was recording videos and taking photographs with a cobra on the veranda of his home.
Pradhan was reportedly familiar with handling snakes and had built a reputation locally for rescuing reptiles that entered residential properties. He was also known for sharing videos and photographs of his encounters with snakes on social media.
However, the experience he had accumulated over the years did not prevent the encounter from turning fatal.
A recording session turns deadly
According to reports citing relatives, the cobra bit Pradhan on the fingers of his right hand before striking him again around the elbow and upper arm.
He was initially taken to a nearby private hospital, where he reportedly received an injection. Medical staff are said to have advised him to return for a further injection shortly afterward. Reports indicate that he left without receiving the additional treatment.
His condition subsequently deteriorated. Family members rushed him to the District Headquarters Hospital in Puri, where doctors declared him dead on arrival.
The incident has attracted attention because the snake encounter was being filmed for social media. The circulating footage appears to show Pradhan seated outdoors while handling the reptile, illustrating how an activity he had apparently undertaken many times could become life-threatening.
Experience does not eliminate the danger
Pradhan's death is a stark reminder that even people with experience handling snakes remain vulnerable to venomous bites.
Cobras are among the world's medically significant venomous snakes. Depending on the species and the amount of venom injected, a bite can cause severe neurological complications, including paralysis and potentially fatal respiratory failure.
Prompt medical assessment and appropriate treatment are essential after a suspected venomous snakebite. Anyone bitten should seek emergency medical care immediately rather than waiting for symptoms to develop or attempting to manage the injury at home.
The circumstances surrounding Pradhan's reported decision to leave the first hospital without completing the recommended treatment have not been fully established in the available reports.
The risks of creating content for social media
The tragedy also raises broader questions about the risks people take when recording dramatic encounters for online audiences.
Videos featuring dangerous animals can attract considerable attention, but filming an interaction may encourage people to remain close to a potentially lethal animal for longer than is safe. Even a familiar or apparently calm snake can strike unexpectedly.
For professional rescuers, handling venomous reptiles is a task that requires appropriate equipment, training and safety procedures. For others, attempting to imitate such encounters for photographs or videos can carry potentially fatal consequences.
Pradhan's death is particularly poignant because he was reportedly known for rescuing snakes rather than simply seeking them out. His experience and familiarity with the animals, however, could not guarantee his safety.
The case serves as a sobering reminder that the pursuit of compelling footage should never take priority over personal safety. A video can be shared, viewed and forgotten within days; the consequences of a single venomous bite can be irreversible.
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