Latest news with #DeepakMahavar
Indian Express
5 days ago
- Health
- Indian Express
Cobra around his neck, part-time snake rescuer's hasty mistake costs him his life
Deepak Mahavar spent years rescuing snakes from homes, farms, and schools across Madhya Pradesh's Guna district. On Monday, after rescuing a venomous Indian cobra, Mahavar made the dangerous decision to drape the snake around his neck while he was on his bike. The cobra bit him, and despite receiving medical treatment, Mahavar died within hours, officials said. Before his death, the 35-year-old, a part-time worker at JP College and a self-taught snake rescuer, had posed for a video, standing still with the cobra loosely looped around his shoulders. According to eyewitnesses and hospital staff, Mahavar had gone to Barbatpura village to respond to a rescue call. He successfully captured the cobra and placed it in a glass container. But before he could release the snake in a safe area, as is standard practice, he received a call from his son's school. His 13-year-old son had been dismissed early. In haste, Mahavar took the snake out of the container and placed it around his neck, presumably to keep it secure as he rushed to school on his motorbike. Additional Superintendent of Police Man Singh Thakur told The Indian Express, 'The snake rescuer put the snake around his neck and travelled on a bike when he heard his son had been dismissed early from school. The snake bit him on his hand.' Despite the bite, Mahavar remained conscious long enough to call a friend and seek help. He was admitted to Raghogarh hospital and later referred to Guna District Hospital, where he sought treatment. He was discharged in the evening after showing signs of recovery, but by midnight, his condition had worsened. 'He was brought back to the hospital in critical condition but died before further treatment could begin,' Thakur said. He leaves behind two sons, aged 14 and 12. Their mother had passed away earlier. Snakebites are a public health issue in Madhya Pradesh, especially during the monsoon months of June to September. Paddy fields, open drains, and waterlogged areas become breeding grounds for snakes, particularly cobras, kraits, and vipers, wildlife officials said. According to officials, Madhya Pradesh records hundreds of snakebite cases every year, many of them fatal due to delays in reaching proper medical facilities or incorrect first aid. The state also has all the big four venomous snakes like the common krait, the Indian cobra, the Russell's viper, and the saw-scaled viper. A 2024 study conducted on MP State government compensation for snake deaths found that more than 5,700 people died of snakebite between 2020 and 2022, and warned that the actual number was likely higher. Snake rescuing in rural India is often carried out by volunteers or self-taught individuals like Mahavar, who learn through experience and local knowledge rather than formal training. While their services are invaluable, especially in regions with inadequate animal control infrastructure, many lack protective equipment such as snake hooks, gloves, or secure carrying bags. Guna Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Akshay Rathore told The Indian Express, 'The deceased was not part of the local wildlife team. We have trained our own team in snake rescues. But we are unable to cover all areas, and these private snake rescuers fill the gap. He did not handle the snake properly and did not follow proper protocols. You are not supposed to touch the snake; you should handle them with proper equipment.'
News18
5 days ago
- News18
Snake Rescuer, Carrying Cobra Around His Neck, Dies After It Bites Him In MP's Guna
Last Updated: The deceased was identified as Deepak Mahavar, 35, who was known in the area for saving snakes and had built a reputation as a local wildlife rescuer. In a tragic incident, a snake rescuer died after being bitten by a cobra that he was carrying around his neck after its rescue in Madhya Pradesh's Guna district, the police said on Wednesday. The deceased was identified as Deepak Mahavar, 35, who was known in the area for saving snakes and had built a reputation as a local wildlife rescuer. Deepak, who worked as a temporary staff member at JP College, had saved countless snakes over the years. Many people in his town admired him for his fearless efforts, and he was often called when snakes entered homes or farms. But this time, his rescue mission turned fatal for him, officials said. Just days before the incident, Deepak had caught a venomous cobra and placed it in a glass jar. He reportedly planned to use it in a traditional display during an upcoming Shravan procession, which holds religious significance for Hindus. On the day of the tragedy, while taking his sons to school, Deepak wrapped the cobra around his neck like a chain, India Today reported. A bystander filmed him riding his bike with the cobra around his neck, and the video quickly spread across social media. But moments after that video was captured, the cobra bit Deepak. He was immediately taken to the hospital and given antivenom, but the bite proved deadly, and doctors could not save him. Deepak leaves behind two young sons — 14-year-old Chirag and 12-year-old Raunak. Their mother had passed away earlier, making the loss even more devastating for the family. The two boys have now lost both their parents and are left all alone. People in the community expressed shock at Deepak's death. Many said that it was a tragedy that could have been prevented. view comments First Published: July 16, 2025, 15:24 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
India Today
5 days ago
- India Today
Madhya Pradesh man rides bike with cobra wrapped around neck, dies of snakebite
Riding a bike with a venomous cobra wrapped around his neck proved fatal for a man in Madhya Pradesh's Guna district. The man, identified as Deepak Mahavar, died after the snake bit him.A video of him roaming around with the cobra draped around his neck, recorded by a bystander before the incident, has since gone viral on social who worked as a temporary employee at JP College, was known for rescuing snakes and had reportedly saved thousands of them. He had recently captured a cobra and kept it confined in a glass container, intending to display it during the upcoming Shravan month On the day of the incident, Deepak reportedly draped the cobra around his neck like a garland while dropping his children off at school. Afterward, the cobra suddenly bit him. He was rushed to a hospital, where he succumbed during treatment. Though he was administered antivenom, the delay in receiving medical help rendered it is survived by his two sons, Raunak (12) and Chirag (14), who have now been orphaned. His wife had passed away earlier.- EndsInputs by Vikash DixitMust Watch IN THIS STORY#Madhya Pradesh
