A legendary snake handler has died after he was bitten by one of the most venomous cobras in the world.
Wildlife expert Rico Pentz, 39, took four days to die following the bite by a Cape Cobra in Strand, near Cape Town, on 17th January.
The snake’s powerful neurotoxins slowly paralyse a victim’s lungs, nervous system and heart.
Rico was rushed to Mediclinic Vergelegen in Somerset West where he was dosed with anti-venom.
But local media reports that as his condition deteriorated he transferred to Tygerberg Hospital where he died on 21st January.
His mother Rosa Steenkamp later told local media Rico had at first seemed to recover from the bite.
She said: “We visited him in hospital on Thursday and Friday.
“On Sunday we got a call that he had taken a bad turn and was rushed to hospital.
“Later that day he sadly passed away.”
Rico’s wife, Eva Nelipot Freedom said on Facebook on 21st January: “Today we said goodbye to a human who was nothing less than a legend…. The earth was blessed to have you around.
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“My beautiful thing with the most gorgeous eye lashes, most beautiful heart, who fiercely defended everything he loved so bitterly and stood for. Who’d physically kill for me. Who adored your Junior, Cowley, Tish and your foxes so much.
“A father to so many little children – our own human pink fairy hooligans, Eep, Jezebel, Kratos, Bear and many others. My breath is knocked out of me. It feels as if my life is over.
“My heart is more broken than it’s ever been before…
“I love you so bitterly… You will never be forgotten… I’m so in love with you.”
Snake expert Blackie Swart also mourned Rico’s death by saying: “Rico was an all-round animal lover and great snake catcher who will be missed dearly.”
Rico previously had survived two snake bites, the most recent in 2022, when he was bitten by a puff adder.
The colourful campaigner was famous for his massive cobra tattoos on his arms and his Helderberg Wildlife Rescue and Anti-Animal Cruelty group.
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Story By: Marija Stojkoska, Sub-Editor: Marija Stojkoska, Agency: Newsflash
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