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Christel Yardley / Waikato Times
Pete Bethune has been bitten by one of the deadliest snakes in South America.
A well-known kiwi conservationist spent the night in a Costa Rican hospital after being bitten by one of South America’s deadliest snakes.
Pete Bethune was working in the jungle of the Osa Peninsula National Park in Costa Rica when he was bitten by a deadly fer-de-lance snake. He managed to leave the jungle, return to a boat and to the Golfito Hospital.
Larisa Kellett, a spokeswoman for the nonprofit Earthrace of Bethune, said Monday morning (New Zealand time) that she was still waiting to speak directly to her doctor, but had survived the night. It was just after noon in Costa Rica when Kellett spoke to Stuff.
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He said he thought Bethune was getting good care.
Christel Yardley / Stuff
Bethune was in Costa Rica when she was bitten.
“They really are doing everything they can for him,” Kellett said.
The last time he spoke to Bethune on the phone was Sunday night, but not for long.
“He’s not okay, the doctors are trying to keep him stable,” he said Sunday night.
“I am very concerned… A snake bite can have very serious health consequences afterwards, and there are many things we still do not know.
“[But] it’s as serious as it sounds in terms of the type of snake that bit him. “
It is believed that he was patrolling for illegal gold miners, who are a serious problem in the park.
“It is one of the most biodiverse areas on the planet. Pete was working alongside local rangers, who are sadly underfunded and facing an uphill battle, “Kellett said.
“These miners are usually armed, I thought more about receiving a call that they had been shot than bitten by a snake.”
