MAIL & GUARDIAN (Johannesburg, S Africa) 09 November 04 Snake-charmer quits after 50 years, 24 bites
Kuala Lumpur (Sapa-AFP): It was the last fang for Malaysian snake-charmer Bidin Mat Hashim when a cobra bit him in front of a Korean television crew.
After 24 snakebites in a 50-year career, he's calling it quits.
Bidin, who has been handling snakes since the age of 15 and appeared regularly on television, told the New Straits Times: "I have given serious thought to it and have decided to stop, once and for all."
Bidin, who has been hospitalised several times and required intensive care twice, did not explain why the 24th bite was worse than the others beyond saying: "It was quite painful. And I was having difficulty in breathing."
He had been handling three cobras for a Korean documentary when one bit his right knee.
Apart from his wife and nine children who have urged him to quit for years, Malaysia's snake population may also be relieved by Bidin's retirement -- he says he has caught more than 20 000 of the reptiles over the years.
{Wes note: We’ve been recently placed on 72 hours notice to move for a potential peacekeeping initiative and access to the net and e-mail at the staging site will somewhat sporadic at best. If the mission launches, you will notice a more significant interruption in the frequency and editorial ‘cleanliness’ of future Herp News submissions. I ask your indulgence and patience. On a good news note; the 1994-2004 Archive disks are into production now (albeit slowly) and if you want one (free), please zap me a mailing address. I hope to get them into the post before the 15th of Nov. Cheers, Wes}
Snake-charmer quits after 50 years, 24 bites
