Kiwi Conservationist Pete Bethune’s Condition Improves After Deadly Snake Bite

Kiwi conservationist Pete Bethune is on the mend, albeit slowly, after being bitten by one of Central America’s deadliest snakes.

It has been a touch and go for the 55-year-old after he was bitten by a Fer De Lance two days ago while working in Costa Rica.

The highly venomous snake is considered the most dangerous snake in Costa Rica and Bethune knows how lucky she is to be alive.

“The swelling has gone down a bit and definitely with less pain,” he told the Herald today.

“Doctors think I’m on the mend. Sometimes snakebites get better than worse, so there’s no guarantee that I’m over it.

“But the signs are all positive at the moment.”

Bethune and members of the crew from her non-profit organization, Earthrace, were in Piedras Blancas National Park, on the Punta Encanto stretch, when the incident occurred.

He had just passed a pile of leaves when he felt a sudden blow to the back of his left leg, and knew immediately that he had been bitten by a snake.

He and the crew were forced to walk about 2.5 km through rugged jungle terrain and waterfalls to reach a boat that took them to the mainland for urgent medical treatment.

Within hours, his venom-infected leg had doubled in size and swelled so much that doctors were preparing to operate if the venom had spread beyond his groin.

He said his condition stayed pretty much the same throughout the night, until things started to improve this morning.

“The operation to reduce the swelling is less likely to happen now,” he said.

Bethune said that she had also spoken with her grown daughters.

“My girls (were) really upset, as expected.”

She thanked members of the public, in New Zealand and around the world, who had sent her messages of love and support over the past few days.

“I am very grateful for all your support at home. Sometimes this is a solo concert.

“Something like this happens and I realize how much people care about me and my team’s work. A very humbling experience.”