A man voluntarily presented himself to a green anaconda and later regretted it.
Crazy, no?
But from ancient times of circus acts to the modern day world, extreme stunts have always fascinated mankind.
This has been fueled only by the constant exposure to social media and the rise of viral content.
However, these daring acts raise questions about the motivation and purpose behind their attempt. Is performing dangerous stunts and risking lives always just for attention, or is there a better reason behind it?
One such stunt was pulled by conservationist Paul Rosolie, who, in 2014, risked it all.
Due to the escalating threats the Amazon forest faces, Paul wanted to draw people’s attention to the deforestation and habitat loss in the Amazon. In case you missed: Why Jessica Simpson Is Drinking Snake Sperm.
Being a wildlife enthusiast, Rosolie had studied the Amazon’s ecosystem and the challenges it faces from Mother Nature.
He chose a dramatic way, as part of a Discovery Channel special titled Eaten Alive, to bring focus on the Amazon forests. However, things didn’t go as planned and ended in instant regret.
The green anaconda, being the heaviest and one of the longest snakes, is a strong predator. Having immense strength, the green anaconda can crush prey weighing several hundred pounds.
As a part of the stunt, Rosolie allowed himself to be constricted by the giant green anaconda. For this daring act, Rosolie wore a special costume made of carbon fiber to withstand the constricting pressure of the snake.
The special suit was equipped with an oxygen supply to help prevent the stuntman from suffocation and cameras installed inside to document the experience.
Rosolie used pig’s blood to mimic prey and provoke an attack by the enormous anaconda. Literally invited by the stuntman, Anaconda began to constrict Rosolie. It even attempted to eat him head first.
The anaconda first took a tight grip on the stuntman, wrapping its powerful coils around the body, making him unable to move. Rosolie, on the other hand, remained calm and focused. The medical team continued to monitor Rosolie’s vitals to ensure his safety.
As the anaconda kept on inducing more pressure to kill, Rosolie felt immense pressure on his rib cage, making it difficult to breathe. That’s exactly what anacondas do – tightening with every exhale until the prey is no longer able to breathe. His heartbeat dropped, and breathing became labored.
Despite the tough carbon fiber suit and extensive preparation, being short of breath, Rosolie gave up. At this point, the medical team intervened carefully to release Rosolie from the tight grasp.
The experience must be terrifying, but it served the good cause of drawing attention to the Amazon forest, which it succeeded in.
Global discussions began about protecting wildlife and endangered species. However, this stunt also received some criticism, highlighting that it was harmful to the snake and unnecessary for drawing attention. Rosolie defended his action by emphasizing his lifelong commitment to protecting anacondas and other forest wildlife.
