THE ADVERTISER (Adelaide, Australia) 14 February 06 Seven times bitten but Bruno's not shy (Ben Way)
The Renmark snake handler bitten by a taipan last week plans to go straight back to work with the deadly reptiles this week.
Bruno Stolze, 66, who works at Bredl's Wonderful World of Wildlife in the Riverland town, was bitten by a coastal taipan on Thursday.
He was airlifted to the Royal Adelaide Hospital and despite four doses of anti-venom, suffered partial paralysis, chest pains, and internal bleeding.
At one stage he feared he could die.
"Death is always on the cards when you are bitten by a snake," he said. "The venom took two hours to take effect and the first signs I had were swollen lymph glands, and then my chest got tighter and breathing became heavier."
Mr Stolze has been handling reptiles for more than 40 years and has been bitten seven times. Despite his near death experiences, the snake handler insisted he would be back at work as early as tomorrow, after being released from hospital today.
"I have been family friends with the Bredls for 45 years and I will return to work for as long as they need me," he said.
"It is important to realise this was my fault not the snakes fault. This sort of thing goes with the job."
Mr Stolze appealed to the public to be more vigilant around snakes following the death of another Renmark man, Arthur Olds, on Thursday night after he had been bitten by a brown snake.
"It is bad when you lose any man but to lose a father of so many children is just terrible," he said.
"I don't know him but the point I make to everyone is don't be foolish and hit a snake with a stick.
"You wouldn't walk up to Mohammed Ali and tease him, and likewise you shouldn't mess around with any Australian snakes."
Mr Stolze said even someone with his experience could learn from Mr Olds' death.
"I never thought a young snake could kill someone like that," he said.
"The taipan that bit me was six foot six inches in length so it was a lot bigger snake.
"That is a fair indication that it doesn't matter what size the snake is, if you are bitten get straight to a hospital."
Seven times bitten but Bruno's not shy