PURI: A 28-year-old snake rescuer died after being bitten by a cobra while filming reels and taking photographs with the venomous snake at his residence in Kanthapur village under Sadar police limits in Puri district on Friday.The deceased, identified as Tapan Kumar Pradhan, was known for catching venomous snakes and rescuing them from houses where they strayed. He had reportedly caught hundreds of snakes during his lifetime and often shared photographs and videos of his interactions with them on social media.According to his relatives, the incident occurred around 2 pm on Friday when Tapan was filming reels and taking photographs with a cobra on the verandah of his house. The snake first bit the fingers of his right hand before striking him again on the elbow and upper arm.Tapan was initially taken to a private hospital, where he was administered an injection. Doctors reportedly advised him to take another injection after 10 minutes. However, he left the hospital without receiving the second injection and returned home.His condition deteriorated later in the afternoon, following which his family members rushed him to the Puri district headquarters hospital. However, doctors declared him dead on arrival.His body has been kept in the hospital’s mortuary. Police sources said the body would be handed over to his family after a postmortem examination on Saturday.
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