After being bitten multiple times by a viper during a presentation intended to help alleviate people’s fears of snakes, a German snake expert has died.
Dieter Zorn, aged 53 and a herpetologist, suffered a heart attack mere minutes after sustaining bites from an Aspic viper. While presenting his “Reptile Show” in southern France, an event designed to assist individuals in overcoming their fear of snakes, he encountered several bites.
Uschi Kallus, his co-host, mentioned that Zorn succumbed to an “extremely rare allergic reaction” to the viper’s bite, despite the administration of a blood thinner by emergency personnel. She emphasized that he would not have wanted the snake to be held responsible for his passing and remarked that such an incident is “exceptionally uncommon.”
Zorn’s show promotes the idea of attendees interacting with the reptiles to conquer “unfounded” fears. A French newspaper reported that “the audience, filled with curious people, almost saw him die” right on stage.
The Aspic viper is indigenous to France, Switzerland, Spain, and Italy. It can reach lengths of up to 20 inches and thrives in various habitats.
