Vava Suresh, Kerala’s famous (and controversial) snake expert and wildlife conservationist, has been fighting for his life for the last few days at the Intensive Care Unit of Kottayam Medical College Hospital from the latest bite he had received while catching a cobra in Kottayam. He has reportedly caught over 50,000 snakes so far, and is said to have been bitten by venomous snakes around 300 times. Latest reports say he is out of danger and was taken off ventilator support after showing signs of improvement.
On Wednesday night, Suresh opened his eyes and responded to questions asked by the doctors. He is likely to be transferred from the (ICU) by February 5. Doctors said his condition is satisfactory and all body functions are working correctly. Suresh was on a ventilator twice and in the ICU four times so far following snake bites.
On Monday (January 31, 2022) evening, Suresh was bitten by the cobra when he was trying to put it into a gunny bag after rescuing it. Despite being bitten, he caught the snake again when it slithered away, packed it and asked the people to rush him to the nearest hospital. He suffered a cardiac arrest while on the way. After being administered antivenom, he was shifted to the hospital and put on a ventilator.
The footage below shows the recent incident where a cobra lunging towards Suresh and bites him while trying to put it into a gunny bag:
Forty-eight-year-old Suresh, in a career spanning over two decades, has caught more than 50,000 snakes, including more than 200 King cobras. He has survived almost half a dozen lethal bites in the past after spending a lot of time at various hospitals.
I think I have been sent by God to do this. All the snakes I catch are documented and handed over to the forest department.
Snake bite incidents
Suresh had to suffer several snake bites in his life and the previous incident before the last week’s tragedy occurred on February 13, 2020. He was again on a ventilator for days after a pit viper bit him. Doctors have already warned him that snake antivenom has no use for him because of the number of snake bites he suffered in his life. Suresh had also lost a finger following a cobra bite. And faced problems with the movement of his right wrist after another snake bite.
- 2013: He was hospitalised in August for a lethal bite.
- 2015: On 20th June, he was hospitalised for a cobra bite
- 2020: February 13, he suffered a serious Russell’s viper bite.
- 2022: On January 31, he was bitten by a cobra at Kottayam.
A salute from British royal
The heir to the British throne Prince Charles, described Suresh as a “living wonder” during his visit to Kerala in 2013. “Even an elephant dies in an hour after the bite of a king cobra. How did you save so many king cobras? You are a living wonder and I salute your love for your reptilian friends,” Charles told Suresh.
Suresh said: “I would never forget that day. My arms were severely infected after being bitten by an otter during a rescue op and I was stinking. No one would even come near me but Prince Charles held my bandaged hands and talked to me for 15 minutes.”
Expert assessment
Suresh also provided his expert views in a case in which a husband was convicted for killing his wife by using a snake while she was sleeping in Kollam on May 7, 2020. In the police statement, Suresh described the possibilities regarding Uthra’s death and the behaviour and characteristics of Indian cobras and Russell’s vipers. Following investigations, it was found that Uthra’s husband Sooraj had attempted to murder her, first by using a Russell’s viper, and next, with an Indian cobra.
Accolades
Suresh has also received several awards in recognition of his various services to the society.
Vocational Service Award - 2011: Suresh was awarded the ‘Vocational Service Award 2011’ instituted by the Rotary Club’s Thiruvananthapurm division. The award carries a citation, memento and cash prize of Rs 10,000.
Madhavan Pillai Foundation’s Nature Conservation Award-2013: Former Union Minister and animal rights activist Maneka Gandhi, MP, presented this award to Suresh in Thiruvananthapuram.
Job offer declined
Considering his efforts in rescuing snakes, the Kerala government offered Suresh a job in 2012 at the snake park in Kottur forest area near Kattakada in Thiruvanathapuram. However Suresh declined the offer, suggesting that taking a full-time job would adversely affect his time for offering services to ordinary persons when they request help in catching snakes.
Suresh explained his thought process in one of his earlier interviews. He was quoted as saying in a report: "No matter who calls for help, I reach as fast as I can. It's my life's calling."
He also said he will never kill a snake. "I love them.'
Suresh does not charge money for catching the snakes. "I think I have been sent by God to do this, All the snakes I catch are documented and handed over to the forest department," he added.
These groves are believed to be inhabited by many snakes, and the area usually contains a representation of Naga Raja (King of the snakes) and other Naga Devatas (snake deities), where offerings and rites are performed during special ceremonies.
These groves are very rich in exotic flora and fauna, especially many medicinal plants. Each grove (kavu) would have a protector family who ensures that it’s natural surroundings are not disturbed or destroyed.
Snakebite deaths in India
India is among the countries most dramatically affected by snake bites, accounting for almost half the total number of annual snakebite deaths in the world, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO.) At least 46,000 people die of snake bites every year in India, report independent studies. Kerala is recognized as having a major problem with snakebite.
- With inputs from: Agencies, Sahapedia.org
