Student Vet In Coma After Being Bitten By Deadly Cobra

This 22-year-old student vet has been left in a coma after being bitten by a deadly cobra.

Student Pedro Henrique Santos Krambeck Lehmkuhl was taken to the Intensive Care Unit of the Maria Auxiliadora Hospital in the Gama area of central Brazil’s Federal District after being bitten by a venomous cobra reportedly native to Asia.

The exact circumstances surrounding the bite remain unclear but local newspaper Correio Brazilense report the only anti-venom in Brazil for the cobra’s bite was delivered to the hospital from the Butantan Institute in the city of Sao Paulo.

His condition was serious and Correio Brazilense report he needed to undergo haemodialysis for the venom to be taken out of his blood.

Credit: CEN
Pedro Krambeck, the victim

The Civil Police were called in to help the Environmental Protection Unit locate the snake, and local media outlet Globo report they spoke to an unnamed young man who knew where the snake was.

They then found the cobra in a “dark area” behind a pile of sand near the Pier 21 shopping centre, according to Globo.

The cobra, which a police statement said measured 1.5 metres (5 feet) long, was placed into a transparent box and will now be taken to the Brazilian Institute of the Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (IBAMA). The statement said the snake was in good health.

Correio Brazilense report that the Civil Police have found no records of the animal under Lehmkuhl’s name and they are investigating how it ended up in Brazil.

Police major Elias Costa told Globo: “It’s very likely that the person who gives us the information about how the animal ended up in Brazil will be him (Lehmkuhl) when he is better.”

Credit: CEN
The snake seized by police

Carlos Eduardo Nobrega, the director of reptiles, amphibians and arthropods at Brasilia Zoo, told Correio Brazilense: “This species only attacks when it feels very threatened. However, it is very harmful to humans and can lead to death one hour after the bite.”

The victim, who Correio Brazilense report is an avid snake fan, remains in hospital.


To find out more about the author, editor or agency that supplied this story – please click below.
Story By: Alex CopeSub-Editor: Michael Leidig, Agency: Central European News

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