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Narrator: THE TWO MOST PRESSING RESPONSIBILITIES FOR ANY PARENTS
ARE TO PROVIDE FOR THEIR CHILDREN AND PROTECT THEM.
BUT IN SOUTH FLORIDA,
PROTECTING THEM HAS BECOME INCREASINGLY HARD TO DO.
ON THIS EPISODE OF "SWAMP WARS"...
THE VENOM ONE TEAM STRIKES BACK
TO PROTECT THE CHILDREN OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY.
WHEN A MAMMOTH PYTHON ATTEMPTS TO CROSS A ROAD
FROM THE SWAMP INTO SUBURBIA,
ERNIE MUST STOP IT.
Jillson: WHERE IS HE?
Narrator: THE BRIGHT COLORS OF A DEADLY CORAL SNAKE
CAPTURE A BOY'S ATTENTION, AND THE SNAKE STRIKES THE CHILD.
BUT WHEN THE BOY'S FATHER
BRINGS THE SNAKE TO THE HOSPITAL FOR IDENTIFICATION,
IT ESCAPES.
AND WHEN A VENOMOUS PIT VIPER
SLITHERS INTO A YARD WHERE CHILDREN PLAY,
LIEUTENANT SCOTT MULLIN MUST REMOVE IT.
Ivonne: AS A MOTHER, THE FIRST THING YOU DO IS PANIC.
Narrator: PLUS, THIS ONE IS PERSONAL FOR SCOTT,
AS HIS OWN NIECE WAS ONCE A VICTIM
OF A PIT VIPER'S DEADLY BITE.
Crista: IT WAS HORRIBLE.
IS SHE GONNA RECOVER? IS SHE GOING TO LIVE?
Narrator: MIAMI IS PARADISE SITTING ON THE EDGE OF A SWAMP.
THE MIAMI-DADE FIRE RESCUE VENOM ONE TEAM
IS AN ELITE GROUP OF FIREFIGHTER-PARAMEDICS
THAT PROTECT THE PEOPLE
FROM THE MOST DANGEROUS ANIMALS THAT COME OUT OF THE EVERGLADES.
-- Captions by VITAC -- www.vitac.com
CAPTIONS PAID FOR BY DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS
[ BARKING ]
ALL PARENTS WORRY ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THEIR KIDS.
IT'S PART OF THE JOB.
BUT IN SOUTH FLORIDA,
WHERE EXOTIC AND DEADLY WILDLIFE
LURKS IN THE SHADOWS OF OUR NEIGHBORHOODS,
PARENTS ARE CONSTANTLY ON GUARD.
THE THOUGHT THAT, AT ANY TIME,
SOME MASSIVE CONSTRICTOR MIGHT SQUEEZE THE LIFE OUT OF A CHILD
KEEPS PARENTS UP AT NIGHT.
[ BOY SCREAMS ]
BUT NOTHING COULD EVER BE MORE HORRIFYING
THAN SEEING YOUR CHILD ATTACKED RIGHT IN FRONT OF YOUR EYES...
...WHICH HAS HAPPENED BEFORE AT A HALLOWEEN PARTY.
[ LAUGHTER ]
Wood: THE CHOSEN ENTERTAINMENT WAS
A VERY KID-FRIENDLY REPTILE SHOW.
Jillson: THE ENTERTAINER PULLED OUT
A 15-FOOT, 140-POUND BURMESE PYTHON.
Wood: THIS WAS A BIG SNAKE.
Narrator: INDEED, THIS MONSTROUS CONSTRICTOR
HAD BEEN A FRIENDLY GUEST AT MANY PARTIES,
BUT IT WAS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME
BEFORE ITS LIMITS WOULD BE PUSHED
AND ITS PATIENCE WOULD BE TESTED.
THE SNAKE WAS BEING TOTED ALL AROUND THE PARTY.
THE KIDS WERE PETTING IT, POKING IT.
THERE WAS A LOT OF COMMOTION GOING ON.
[ HISSES ]
THIS IS A WILD ANIMAL,
AND WE CAN REALLY NEVER TELL SPECIFICALLY
WHEN THE ANIMAL HAD HAD ENOUGH.
Wood: THE KIDS DECIDED TO ALL LINE UP
AND HAVE THEIR PICTURE TAKEN WITH THE BIG SNAKE.
Narrator: AT THIS POINT, AFTER MUCH PRODDING AND POKING,
THE SNAKE WAS IN NO MOOD TO PARTY.
ANY SNAKE IS GONNA EVENTUALLY REACH THEIR LIMITS.
Narrator: AND FOR THIS SNAKE, IT HAPPENED TO BE TODAY.
THE VICTIM WAS A LITTLE BOY.
[ SCREAMING ]
THE SNAKE BIT HIM ACROSS THE FACE...
...GRABBING HIM ALONG THE EAR, THE JAW, AND THE MOUTH.
Wood: A SNAKE AS BIG AS THIS ONE COULD DO A LOT OF DAMAGE.
HANDLERS HAVE TO ALWAYS CONSIDER THE WORST-CASE SCENARIO
AND NOT TRUST THESE SNAKES TOO MUCH.
Narrator: THANKFULLY,
THE SNAKE CHOSE NOT TO WRAP THE BOY UP.
OTHERWISE, THIS PARTY WOULD HAVE TRULY ENDED IN TRAGEDY.
Mullin: IF IT HAS TEETH, IT HAS THE ABILITY TO BITE.
YOU NEED TO TREAT IT WITH RESPECT.
IF IT'S HAVING A BAD DAY
OR YOU'RE IN THE WRONG PLACE AT THE WRONG TIME,
YOU COULD BECOME ITS NEXT VICTIM.
Narrator: IT'S IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THAT DANGEROUS SNAKES,
EVEN IF THEY'RE TRAINED AND KEPT IN CAPTIVITY,
ARE STILL DANGEROUS.
AND IN MIAMI,
HUGE, DANGEROUS CONSTRICTORS ROAM WILD.
THEY CROSS OVER FROM THE SWAMP,
MOVING INTO NEIGHBORHOODS WHERE CHILDREN PLAY.
HERE, ON THE EDGE OF THE EVERGLADES,
IT'S VENOM ONE'S JOB TO PROTECT THESE CHILDREN.
CAPTAIN ERNIE JILLSON IS ON A CALL
FOR A LARGE SNAKE SPOTTED NEAR A ROAD
THAT DIVIDES SUBURBIA FROM THE SWAMP.
Jillson: IT'S NOT UNCOMMON FOR US TO RECEIVE CALLS
FOR REPTILES ALONG THE EDGE OF THE EVERGLADES.
IT'S PRETTY IMPORTANT FOR US TO BE AWARE OF THE BORDERS
FROM SUBURBIA TO THE EVERGLADES AND TO DEFEND IT.
THIS IS OUR LAST LINE...
AND IT'S REAL THIN.
CALL CAME IN.
A PASSERBY THOUGHT THEY SAW A SNAKE
SITTING ON THE EDGE OF THE ROAD.
RIGHT HERE, WE GOT A LOT OF OPEN AREA, SOME FIELDS.
YOU KNOW, FURTHER DOWN THE ROAD,
IT LOOKS LIKE IT GETS INTO SOME THICKER UNDERBRUSH.
SO, THERE'S PLENTY OF SPOTS OUT HERE FOR IT TO BE FOUND.
LOOKS LIKE WE GOT SOME WILDLIFE FOR IT TO FEAST ON.
WE GOT SOME PAWPRINTS HERE -- MAYBE A BOBCAT OF SOME TYPE.
A BOBCAT? PRETTY BIG CAT.
[ HISSES ]
IT CAN DEFEND ITSELF PRETTY WELL.
BUT OUT HERE IN THE EVERGLADES,
WHERE THESE PYTHONS ARE ON TOP OF THE FOOD CHAIN,
IT WOULDN'T EVEN BE CLOSE.
HE'D BE LUNCH.
Narrator: AFTER PYTHONS HAVE EATEN,
THEY SEARCH FOR A PLACE TO QUIETLY DIGEST THEIR MEALS --
A PLACE TO HIDE.
PYTHONS ARE MASTERS AT BLENDING INTO THE ENVIRONMENT,
AND THEY CAN HIDE JUST ABOUT ANYWHERE.
WELL, HERE'S SOMETHING.
NO SHEDDINGS. NOTHING.
YOU KNOW, A BIG SNAKE LIKE THIS --
IT'D BE NICE TO BE ABLE TO GET HIM OUT OF THE WILD.
THEY REPRODUCE AND THEY CAN DROP UP TO 60 HATCHLINGS IN A YEAR.
EACH BURMESE WE CAPTURE
KEEPS US FROM UPWARDS OF HUNDREDS OF OTHERS BEING BORN.
THIS ONE MAY BE ONLY ONE, BUT IT'S ONE OF MANY.
WE'VE GOT WET HOLES -- WATER HOLES HE CAN GET INTO.
TO A PYTHON --
THIS IS JUST LIKE SOUTH BEACH TO HIM.
THERE HE IS.
WHERE IS HE?
Narrator: ERNIE GETS THE PYTHON'S TAIL,
BUT HE CAN'T SEE THE HEAD IN THE MURKY WATER,
WHICH GIVES THE PYTHON A PERFECT OPPORTUNITY
TO LAND A DIRECT STRIKE.
Narrator: CAPTAIN ERNIE JILLSON HAS CORNERED A BURMESE PYTHON
NEAR A MAJOR ROAD THAT SEPARATES SUBURBIA FROM THE SWAMP,
BUT HE MUST GET THE PYTHON OUT OF THE WATER
BEFORE ITS SUBMERGED HEAD SURFACES
FOR A POTENTIAL STRIKE JUST INCHES FROM ERNIE'S LEG.
Jillson: [BLEEP] COME ON.
BURM PYTHON, FOR SURE.
THIS IS A BURMESE PYTHON, AND HE'S DEFINITELY NOT HAPPY
ABOUT BEING PULLED OUT OF HIS BATH.
[ HISSES ]
HE'S FIXATED ON ME NOW.
Narrator: THIS BURMESE PYTHON SIZES ERNIE UP
AND READIES HIMSELF FOR A FIGHT.
Jillson: YEAH, HE'S NOT HAPPY. THAT'S FOR SURE.
[ HISSING ]
GOTCHA.
[ SNAKE HISSING ]
OH, YEAH.
HE'S NOT HAPPY.
HE'S DEFINITELY GONNA WANT TO COIL UP ON ME.
Narrator: NOW THE SITUATION HAS TURNED.
ERNIE SECURED THE PYTHON'S HEAD, BUT THE SNAKE BEGINS TO WRAP,
WHICH IS NOT GOOD WHEN YOU'RE DEALING WITH A CONSTRICTOR.
Jillson: HE'S PROTECTING HIS HEAD.
THIS SNAKE IS FIGHTING ME TO THE VERY LAST SECOND.
COME ON. IN THE BAG.
YOU KNOW, IT'S A GOOD THING I SAW THE END OF HIS TAIL.
HE WAS GOING IN.
HE COULD HAVE GOT UP UNDERNEATH THAT WATER.
I WOULD HAVE WALKED RIGHT BY HIM.
YOU KNOW, TO SOME PEOPLE, THIS IS A GIANT SNAKE.
BUT TO US, THIS IS ACTUALLY JUST A BABY.
IN A COUPLE OF YEARS, THIS DEFINITELY COULD HAVE BEEN
ONE OF THE MENACING, GIANT SNAKES
THAT WE GET CALLED OUT ABOUT.
Narrator: CAPTURING ONE PYTHON THAT'S CAPABLE OF BREEDING
COULD MEAN REDUCING THE POPULATION BY MANY,
BUT THERE ARE CERTAINLY OTHERS IN THE SWAMP.
AND IF THEIR BREEDING ISN'T STANCHED,
THE POPULATION COULD CONTINUE TO EXPLODE.
INVASIVE REPTILES FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD,
LIKE THIS BURM, NOW CALL SOUTH FLORIDA HOME.
INITIALLY KEPT AS PETS,
THESE REPTILES ESCAPED OR WERE SIMPLY LET LOOSE
BY OWNERS WHO DIDN'T WANT THEM ANYMORE.
THE PROLIFERATION OF THESE INVASIVE ANIMALS
HAS BECOME SUCH A PROBLEM
THAT THE FLORIDA FISH AND WILDLIFE COMMISSION
IS ATTEMPTING TO SLOW THEIR SPREAD ANY WAY THEY CAN.
THEY'VE CREATED THIS AMNESTY DAY WHICH, BASICALLY, IS AN OUTLET.
IT'S A VEHICLE FOR PEOPLE TO TURN OVER THESE SNAKES
AND OTHER EXOTIC ANIMALS
SO PEOPLE ARE NOT RELEASING THESE ANIMALS
INTO THE ENVIRONMENT,
INTO THE WILD WHERE THEY CAN DO SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE.
Narrator: PEOPLE CAN TURN OVER THEIR PETS
EVEN IF THEY ARE HOLDING THEM ILLEGALLY
WITH NO QUESTIONS ASKED AND WITH NO FEAR OF PUNISHMENT,
SO SOUTH FLORIDIANS ARE BRINGING IN ALL SORTS OF REPTILES.
AND FOR THE AMNESTY DAY PERSONNEL,
OPENING SOME CONTAINERS CAN BE A DANGEROUS TASK...
...ESPECIALLY WHEN IT MEANS REMOVING
A GIANT, CARNIVOROUS LIZARD FROM A FLIMSY CARDBOARD BOX.
[ LIZARD HISSING ]
THIS AGGRESSIVE LIZARD IS THE AFRICAN NILE MONITOR.
THIS IS PROBABLY, POUND FOR POUND,
ONE OF THE MOST AGGRESSIVE LIZARDS IN THE WORLD.
Narrator: AND THEY ARE THRIVING IN THE FLORIDA WILD
WITH 175 CAPTURES AND SIGHTINGS OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS.
THIS LIZARD WAS TURNED IN BY A YOUNG WOMAN
WHO MISTAKENLY THOUGHT IT MIGHT MAKE A GOOD PET.
SHE'S BITTEN BEFORE, AND SHE TAIL-WHIPS.
NOT ONLY WILL IT BITE YOU.
IT WILL SCRATCH YOU WITH ITS VERY STRONG CLAWS.
IT WILL WHIP YOU WITH ITS TAIL.
THESE ARE ANIMALS THAT WILL DEFEND THEMSELVES
IN ANY WAY THEY KNOW HOW
AND CAN INFLICT A VERY NASTY BITE.
Ellen: I DID A LOT OF EFFORT TO TAME HER,
AND SHE NEVER WAS ABLE TO BE TAMED.
THEY JUST NEED TO BE RESPECTED, I THINK, FROM A DISTANCE
INSTEAD OF TRYING TO OWN ONE.
THIS IS NOT AN ANIMAL THAT MAKES A GOOD PET.
THIS IS A SCALY PREDATOR -- SOMETHING THAT'S OUT THERE
LOOKING FOR WHATEVER IT CAN CATCH.
AND IN SOUTH FLORIDA, IT HAS A PLETHORA OF OPTIONS.
Narrator: AMNESTY DAY PROVIDES AN OUTLET
FOR PEOPLE TO KEEP THEMSELVES SAFE FROM THEIR DANGEROUS PETS.
BUT OTHERS HAVE COME
BECAUSE THEY DON'T WANT TO ENDANGER THEIR FAMILIES.
I CAME HERE TODAY TO TURN IN AN ALBINO BURMESE PYTHON.
I HAVE SMALL CHILDREN, AND RECENTLY,
THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF SNAKE ACCIDENTS WITH SMALL CHILDREN.
FOR EXAMPLE, WHAT HAPPENED IN ORLANDO.
THE CHILD WAS SUFFOCATED BY THEIR SNAKE AND PASSED AWAY.
I DID NOT WANT TO TAKE THAT RISK
OF MY KIDS BEING HARMED BY THE SNAKE,
SO I JUST DECIDED TO GET RID OF HER ALTOGETHER.
Narrator: THIS WOMAN MADE THE CHOICE TO PROTECT HER CHILDREN.
BUT OF COURSE, IN FLORIDA,
PARENTS HAVE NO CONTROL OVER THE SNAKES THAT RUN WILD,
CROSSING FROM THE SWAMP INTO SUBURBIA.
TO MAKE MATTERS WORSE,
SOMETHING SEEMINGLY UNRELATED HAS CREATED SAFE HAVENS
FOR CREATURES FROM THE EVERGLADES --
FLORIDA'S ECONOMIC CRISIS.
Jillson: THE NUMEROUS FORECLOSED HOMES THAT WE HAVE IN SUBURBIA
ARE NOW A NEW AREA OF CONCERN.
Mullin: THEY GO WITHOUT CARE
AND THEY START TO BECOME OVERGROWN.
THE GROWTH OF THE BUSHES, THE GRASS, THE TREES --
THAT ALL TAKES OVER,
AND THAT MAKES PERFECT SNAKE HABITAT.
TO US, IT'S AN EYESORE,
BUT TO A SNAKE, IT'S LIKE A PALACE.
Narrator: THE CURRENT ECONOMY
MIGHT HAVE CATAPULTED FLORIDIANS TO THE EDGE OF DISASTER,
BUT FOR DEADLY SNAKES,
THIS ECONOMIC CRISIS HAS ACTUALLY BEEN A BIG BOON.
LIEUTENANT SCOTT MULLIN
IS RESPONDING TO A REPORT OF A RATTLESNAKE
AT A FORECLOSED HOME THAT WAS RECENTLY PURCHASED.
THE SNAKE HAS BEEN CONTAINED,
BUT THE FAMILY IS ANXIOUS FOR IT TO BE REMOVED.
Ivonne: THIS HOUSE WAS IN FORECLOSURE.
THERE WERE MANY BUSHES BACK THERE,
AND WE SORT OF CLEARED THE AREA.
OUR GARDENER FOUND THE SNAKE
RIGHT BEHIND THE AIR CONDITIONER,
IN THAT AREA OVER THERE.
HE CAUGHT IT WITH A RAKE.
HE SCOOPED IT UP AND PUT IT INSIDE THE COOLER.
HE THOUGHT IT WAS RATTLESNAKE, THE DIAMONDBACK,
BUT WE'RE NOT SURE.
[ RATTLES ]
Narrator: IF IT IS INDEED A RATTLESNAKE
OR ANY OF FLORIDA'S NATIVE VENOMOUS SPECIES,
THE GARDENER WHO WRANGLED THIS SNAKE INTO THE COOLER
IS LUCKY HE ESCAPED WITH HIS LIFE,
BECAUSE A VENOMOUS SNAKE HANGING FROM THE END OF A RAKE,
OR EVEN A SNAKE HOOK, CAN STILL LAND A DEADLY STRIKE.
OHH!
[ SNAKE HISSING AND RATTLING ]
NOW, YOU TOLD ME IT WAS IN A COOLER, I WAS CONCERNED
'CAUSE I DON'T WANT SOMEONE ELSE
TO WALK UP AND OPEN THE COOLER,
NOT KNOWING THERE WAS A SNAKE IN THERE.
I HAVE A TODDLER. I'M PRETTY CONCERNED.
I'D RATHER KNOW BEFOREHAND
WHAT TYPE OF SNAKES THERE ARE IN THIS AREA.
THIS IS MY FIRST ENCOUNTER WITH THESE TYPES OF SNAKES.
AS A MOTHER, THE FIRST THING YOU DO IS PANIC.
WHAT CONCERNS ME MOST IS THAT KIDS ARE SUPER CURIOUS
AND THEY MIGHT SEE A SNAKE
AND THEY THINK IT'S A FRIENDLY SNAKE,
AND THEY COULD GET BIT.
Narrator: SCOTT MUST REMOVE THE DEADLY SNAKE
LURKING IN THIS COOLER,
BUT OPENING THE LID TO THE HOT, CRAMPED QUARTERS
OF THIS CONTAINER
COULD REVEAL A SNAKE READY TO STRIKE.
Narrator: LIEUTENANT SCOTT MULLIN IS ON A CALL
FOR A VENOMOUS SNAKE TRAPPED IN A COOLER
IN A YARD WHERE A SMALL CHILD WAS PLAYING.
Mullin: NOT A RATTLESNAKE, BUT IT IS VENOMOUS.
IT'S A WATER MOCCASIN, ALSO KNOWN AS A COTTONMOUTH --
A PRETTY-GOOD-SIZE ONE.
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THIS AND THE NONVENOMOUS WATER SNAKES,
'CAUSE THERE'S LOTS OF THEM AROUND HERE,
IS JUST THAT BIG, DIAMOND-SHAPED HEAD.
YOU SEE THAT HEAD, HOW IT'S EASILY --
YOU COULD TELL FROM A DISTANCE THAT'S LIKE AN ARROWHEAD.
THAT'S 'CAUSE IT'S GOT THOSE TWO, BIG VENOM GLANDS IN THERE.
THAT'S WHAT'S DANGEROUS.
Narrator: THE AMOUNT OF VENOM
THESE WATER MOCCASINS CAN DELIVER
IS MORE THAN ENOUGH TO KILL AN ADULT
AND COULD QUICKLY PROVE FATAL FOR A SMALL CHILD.
SO, IF YOU WANT TO JUST STEP BACK,
I'M GONNA PUT HIM IN THE HOT BOX.
BEING KEPT IN A CLOSED COOLER IN THE FLORIDA HEAT
HAS ONLY IRRITATED THIS LETHAL VIPER
AND MADE IT MORE AGGRESSIVE.
GETTING THIS COTTONMOUTH INTO THE VENOMOUS HOT BOX
WILL BE NO EASY TASK.
AND IF SCOTT ISN'T AT THE TOP OF HIS GAME,
IT COULD BE HIS LAST.
THIS MOTHER WILL NO LONGER HAVE TO WORRY
ABOUT THIS VENOMOUS SNAKE IN HER YARD,
BUT THIS SNAKE IS ONLY ONE OF MANY IN THE AREA.
DO YOU THINK THAT THERE COULD BE MORE SNAKES OF THESE OUT HERE?
YES, DEFINITELY.
RIGHT NOW, THEY'RE COMING OUT, LOOKING FOR MATES.
[ HISSES ]
THEY'RE STARTING TO GET MORE ACTIVE 'CAUSE IT'S WARMED UP.
'CAUSE YOU HAVE A BEAUTIFUL AREA THAT HAS THE WATER PRESERVES,
THAT ALSO ATTRACTS THE SNAKES.
THAT'S WHERE THEY LIVE AND BREED.
THE FACT THAT THIS WAS A HOUSE IN FORECLOSURE,
IT PROBABLY WAS PRETTY OVERGROWN.
AND THE FACT THAT NO ONE WAS LIVING HERE --
SO THERE WAS NO HUMANS TO BOTHER THEM --
GAVE HIM A GOOD SPOT TO COME AND TO LIVE AND TO FEED.
WE WERE TALKING TO OUR NEXT-DOOR NEIGHBOR,
AND HE EXPLAINED TO US
THAT HE HAS SEEN LIKE 30 OF THESE SAME SNAKES,
SO I BELIVE WE'RE IN THEIR BACKYARD.
Narrator: IN FLORIDA,
A VENOMOUS, LIFE-THREATENING BITE TO A CHILD
COULD HAPPEN TO ANYONE.
IN SCOTT'S CASE, IT STRUCK CLOSE TO HOME
WHEN A WATER MOCCASIN ATTACKED HIS NIECE.
Mullin: MY SISTER AND HER FAMILY
LIVE ON A BEAUTIFUL PIECE OF PROPERTY RIGHT ON THE LAKE.
BUT BECAUSE OF THAT SAME ENVIRONMENT,
IT ALSO APPEALS TO ALL THE ANIMALS THAT LIVE ON THE LAKE,
A WATER MOCCASIN BEING ONE OF THEM.
[ HISSES ]
Narrator: SCOTT'S NIECE KENZIE
WAS TUBING WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY ON THE LAKE ONE DAY.
IT WAS JUST A NORMAL WEEKEND DAY THAT QUICKLY TURNED UGLY.
Narrator: THE PRESENCE OF A SINGLE DEADLY SNAKE
WOULD MAKE THIS SUNDAY ANYTHING BUT NORMAL.
[ LAUGHTER ]
Mullin: EVEN THOUGH THE REALITY IS IT COULD HAPPEN TO ANYONE,
YOU NEVER EXPECT IT TO HAPPEN TO YOU OR TO YOUR FAMILY.
AS THEY APPROACHED BACK TOWARDS THE SHORE,
THE TUBE STARTED TO FLOW INTO THE WEEDS.
WHAT THEY DIDN'T KNOW WAS THAT A JUVENILE WATER MOCCASIN
WAS TRYING TO HIDE IN THOSE SAME WEEDS.
Crista: IN THOSE MOMENTS, RIGHT WHEN SHE WAS BITTEN,
IT'S ALL...VERY CHAOTIC IN MY MIND.
[ SCREAMS ]
[ SCREAMS ]
[ SOBBING ]
OW!
WE JUST HEARD A LOT OF SCREAMS ALL AT ONCE...
[ SCREAMS ]
Crista: ..."SNAKE! SNAKE!"
AND I SCREAMED TO KENZIE, "YOU SAW A SNAKE OR IT BIT YOU?"
AND SHE YELLED BACK, "IT BIT ME."
AND, YOU KNOW, SHE WAS SCREAMING THAT HER CALF WAS STINGING.
WHEN WE GOT HER OUT OF THE LAKE
AND ACTUALLY SAW THAT THERE WERE PUNCTURE WOUNDS ON HER FOOT
AND SHE WAS BLEEDING, I REALLY KNEW IT COULD BE BAD.
Narrator: SCOTT'S SISTER TRIED TO STAY CALM FOR HER CHILD,
BUT IN REALITY, HER FEAR WAS IMMEASURABLE.
JUST KEPT TELLING HER THAT EVERYTHING WAS GONNA BE OKAY,
NOT KNOWING, IN MY HEART, IF IT REALLY WAS GONNA BE OKAY.
I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT THE EFFECTS WOULD BE OF THE VENOM.
I DIDN'T KNOW IF SHE WOULD LOSE HER FOOT,
IF SHE WOULD HAVE A HEART ATTACK,
IF SHE WOULD JUST STOP BREATHING.
[ SCREAMS ]
Narrator: VENOM ONE'S SCOTT MULLIN'S NIECE
WAS ENJOYING AN AFTERNOON ON THE LAKE
WHEN SHE WAS BITTEN BY A DEADLY WATER MOCCASIN.
[ SCREAMS ]
Narrator: HER MOTHER FEARED THE WORST.
IS SHE GONNA BE NORMAL? IS SHE GONNA RECOVER?
IS GOING TO LIVE?
IT WAS HORRIBLE. WORDS CAN'T DESCRIBE IT.
Narrator: KENZIE'S PARENTS RUSHED HER TO THE E.R.
Crista: THE FIRST PERSON THAT I THOUGHT TO CALL
WHEN THIS HAPPENED TO MACKENZIE WAS MY BROTHER.
I KNEW THAT HE'D BE ABLE TO TELL ME WHAT I NEEDED TO DO.
Mullin: WHEN YOU GET THE CALL,
IT WAS LIKE THE HAIRS ON THE BACK OF MY NECK STOOD UP.
Narrator: SCOTT COORDINATED WITH THE HOSPITAL MEDICAL DIRECTOR,
WHO HAD RECEIVED THIS PRECIOUS ANTIVENOM JUST WEEKS BEFORE.
Mullin: WITH THE KNOWLEDGE OF WHAT WE DO IN THIS JOB
AND SEEING WHAT CAN HAPPEN,
IN THIS CASE, IT WAS HARD TO KEEP THE EMOTIONS BACK
'CAUSE YOU'RE WORKING ON YOUR OWN FAMILY MEMBER.
SO, YOU KNOW WHAT THE POTENTIAL IS.
SHE COULD HAVE A FOOT THAT WORKS
AND SHE COULD HAVE LONG-TERM DAMAGE TO MUSCLES, TO TENDONS.
IS SHE GONNA BE ABLE TO SURVIVE THE BITE?
Narrator: WATER MOCCASIN VENOM
DELIVERS A POWERFUL DOSE OF TOXINS,
WHICH COULD CAUSE MASSIVE INTERNAL HEMORRHAGING
AND EVEN DEATH.
SCOTT'S NIECE WAS IMMEDIATELY GIVEN 10 VIALS OF ANTIVENOM,
WHICH, THANKFULLY, BEGAN WORKING IMMEDIATELY.
HER LIFE WAS NO LONGER IN DANGER,
BUT HER FOOT WAS.
I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT THE DOCTORS WERE GONNA DO TO MY FOOT.
I DIDN'T KNOW IF THEY WERE GONNA AMPUTATE IT OFF.
Narrator: AFTER SPENDING A NIGHT IN THE HOSPITAL,
KENZIE'S CONDITION IMPROVED.
EVENTUALLY, SHE MADE A FULL RECOVERY.
Kenzie: I WANT TO THANK MY UNCLE SCOTT.
TO HAVE HIM THERE AND THE VENOM ONE TEAM...
I DON'T KNOW WHAT I WOULD HAVE DONE WITHOUT HIM.
[ SOBS ]
Narrator: KENZIE SURVIVED,
AND HER MOTHER WAS LUCKY NOT TO LOSE HER DAUGHTER
TO A VENOMOUS SNAKE BITE.
UNFORTUNATELY, NOT ALL MOMS ARE SO LUCKY.
[ HISSES ]
ONE MOTHER'S SON WAS ATTENDING A WILDLIFE COLLEGE
WHEN HE HAD AN ENCOUNTER WITH A DEADLY BLACK MAMBA.
Jillson: ONE DAY, A BLACK MAMBA WAS DISCOVERED
IN ONE OF THE OUTDOOR WALKWAYS
OF THE COLLEGE THAT HE WAS ATTENDING.
[ SNAKE HISSING ]
A STAFF MEMBER WAS ABLE TO CATCH THE BLACK MAMBA
AND CONTAIN IT INTO A PLASTIC BOX.
Mullin: THE STUDENT THEN VOLUNTEERED TO HELP HIS INSTRUCTOR
PLACE THE BLACK MAMBA INTO A GLASS TERRARIUM
SO THAT THE THE WHOLE CLASS COULD SEE IT UP CLOSER.
AS SOON AS THE STUDENT OPENED UP THE BOX,
THE BLACK MAMBA SHOT OUT.
[ HISSES ]
Jillson: AS THE INSTRUCTOR LIFTED THE SNAKE OFF THE FLOOR
TO PLACE IT INTO THE TANK,
ITS FANGS MUST HAVE GRAZED THE STUDENT'S HAND.
THE STUDENT DIDN'T NOTICE ANY VISIBLE BITE MARKS
OR FEEL ANYTHING STRANGE IN HIS BODY,
SO HE ASSUMED EVERYTHING WAS JUST FINE
AND SAT DOWN FOR CLASS.
Jillson: APPROXIMATELY 30 MINUTES INTO THE LECTURE,
HIS VISION STARTED GETTING BLURRY...
...AND HE HAD DIFFICULTY BREATHING.
[ MAN GASPING ]
Narrator: THE STUDENT THEN COLLAPSED.
Jillson: THE BLACK MAMBA BITE ATTACKS THE CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM,
PARALYZING YOU, CAUSING YOU NOT TO BE ABLE TO BREATHE.
UNFORTUNATELY, THE STUDENT SUFFERED A CARDIAC ARREST
AND DIED MOMENTS LATER.
[ HISSES ]
Narrator: IT'S CLEAR THAT EVEN THE SLIGHTEST CONTACT
WITH A BLACK MAMBA'S FANG
CAN BE FATAL WITHIN MINUTES.
SO TODAY, WHEN VENOM ONE CAPTAIN CHUCK SEIFERT,
A.K.A. BIG COUNTRY,
HELPS HIS FRIEND JAY EATON
SHED THE SKIN FROM JAY'S BLACK MAMBA,
THEY KNOW THEY MUST PROCEED WITH GREAT CAUTION.
JAY'S BLACK MAMBA AT ONE TIME HAD SCALE ROT,
WHICH IS BASICALLY AN INFECTION IN THE SKIN,
SO NOW WHEN SHE SHEDS HER SKIN, SHE NEEDS A LITTLE HELP.
Jay: YOU KNOW, THE GUY THAT NORMALLY HELPS ME OUT --
HE'S OUT OF TOWN.
FIGURED IT'S A MAMBA. THERE'S ONLY ONE OTHER PERSON I COULD CALL.
Seifert: MY PLEASURE, BRO.
YEAH, YOU DO.
I'VE BEEN KEEPING SNAKES FOR 30 YEARS,
SPECIFICALLY WORKING WITH MAMBAS FOR ABOUT NINE YEARS NOW.
SHE IN A GOOD MOOD TODAY?
YOU NEVER KNOW HOW THESE THINGS ARE GONNA REACT.
Narrator: SOAKING THE SNAKE IN WATER HELPS SOFTEN ITS SKIN,
MAKING IT EASIER TO PEEL OFF,
BUT IT ALSO INCREASES THE RISK.
Seifert: HANDLING A DRY MAMBA IS ONE THING,
BUT WHEN A SNAKE'S IN SHED, WET, AND SLIMY,
THAT'S A WHOLE NOTHER STORY.
IT MAKES A DANGEROUS JOB EVEN MORE DANGEROUS.
SHE'S GOT ME SLIPKNOTTED. I CAN'T DROP THE SNAKE AND RUN.
THIS SLIPKNOT IS LIKE A HANDCUFF.
THIS SNAKE IS GOING WHEREVER YOU'RE GOING.
AND THEY'RE GONNA USE THIS SLIPKNOT AS LEVERAGE
AND COME BACK AND BITE YOU.
IN ORDER FOR ME TO GRAB THIS SNAKE,
I'M GONNA NEED JAY TO GET ITS ATTENTION.
OUR TIMING ON THIS HAS TO BE PRECISE
'CAUSE I'VE ONLY GOT ONE SHOT TO GRAB THIS SNAKE.
ONE WRONG MOVE, WE COULD BE IN SERIOUS TROUBLE.
[ HISSING CONTINUES ]
WE GOT TO DO WHAT YOU NEVER WANT TO DO WITH A BLACK MAMBA...
THERE WE GO.
...HOLD HER AND START PICKING OFF THE SKIN
THAT WON'T COME OFF ON ITS OWN.
WHEN HE STARTS TO SHED, YOU KNOW,
IT GETS TO ABOUT RIGHT THERE, AND THEN IT STOPS.
THERE'S NO WAY TO DO THIS BY YOURSELF.
AND WHY TAKE THE CHANCES WITH A MAMBA?
AND IT IS SLIMY.
[ HISSING CONTINUES ]
Seifert: THIS IS A LONG PROCESS
'CAUSE WE'RE GOING SCALE BY SCALE.
AND MY HAND, AFTER A WHILE, STARTS CRAMPING.
I DON'T WANT MY HAND TO GIVE OUT AND LOSE THE GRIP ON THIS SNAKE.
Narrator: CHUCK MUST TRANSFER THE MAMBA
FROM ONE HAND TO THE OTHER.
THIS WILL GIVE THE BLACK MAMBA AN OPPORTUNITY TO STRIKE.
[ HISSING CONTINUES ]
OH, THIS IS GETTING TOUGH.
RIGHT NOW, HE'S BEHAVING,
BUT WE HIT A NERVE AND IT COULD BE...
JUMPING OUT OF YOUR HAND.
...GOING CRAZY.
IF ONE OF THESE SCALES STICK --
MAN, THIS SNAKE IS A BIG SNAKE.
SHE'D START THROWING HER BODY AROUND,
MY HAND MAY SLIP OFF,
AND THAT'S GONNA BE A BAD SITUATION.
IT LOOKS BETTER.
IT DOES LOOK BETTER.
OLD SKIN'S OFF. WE GOT THE NEW SKIN HERE.
YEAH, IT DOES.
LOOK AT THAT. THAT'S -- THAT'S A BIG MAMBA.
[ CHUCKLES ]
Narrator: THE SNAKE HAS BEEN SHED AND NO ONE'S BEEN BITTEN,
BUT THERE IS ONE FINAL TASK
WHICH CAN SOMETIMES BE THE MOST DANGEROUS --
GETTING THIS DEADLY SNAKE BACK INTO ITS CAGE...
ALL RIGHT, THIS IS THE TRICKY PART.
YEAH.
GETTING HER IN THERE WITHOUT LETTING HER COME BACK ON ME.
Narrator: ...BECAUSE LETTING GO OF A BLACK MAMBA
IS A LOT LIKE PLAYING RUSSIAN ROULETTE.
LUCKILY, THIS TIME, THERE WAS NO BULLET IN THE CHAMBER.
COMING UP...
LISA MUST CORRAL ONE OF FLORIDA'S DEADLIEST SNAKES.
A CORAL SNAKE IS A COBRA WITHOUT A HOOD.
Narrator: AND WHEN A MAN LOADS UP HIS BITTEN CHILD
AND ONE OF THESE DEADLY REPTILES INTO A CAR,
HE RETURNS TO FIND THE SNAKE MISSING.
Narrator: IN SOUTH FLORIDA,
ALL KINDS OF DEADLY NATIVE SNAKES
SLITHER IN PLACES WHERE CHILDREN PLAY.
MOST OF THEM, LIKE PIT VIPERS,
ARE SO SCARY THAT CHILDREN RUN FROM THEM IN FEAR.
BUT THE DEADLY CORAL SNAKE IS SO BRIGHT AND COLORFUL
THAT CHILDREN ARE ACTUALLY ATTRACTED TO IT.
ON HER DAY OFF,
LIEUTENANT LISA WOOD GETS A CALL FROM A FRIEND
AFTER HER SON TRIED TO CATCH A CORAL SNAKE ON HER PROPERTY.
A GOOD FRIEND OF MINE HAS A VERY RURAL PROPERTY
WHERE SHE KEEPS HER HORSES AND HER GOATS.
UNFORTUNATELY, SHE'S GOT A VISITOR
WHO COULD POTENTIALLY BE DANGEROUS,
AND HE'S MAKING HIMSELF A LITTLE TOO AT HOME.
SHE SAW A CORAL SNAKE AROUND THIS DILAPIDATED PICNIC AREA.
SHE SAW IT ONCE,
AND HER SON SAID HE ALMOST CAUGHT IT,
WHICH IS NOT A GOOD IDEA.
THE CHANCES OF FINDING IT ARE REALLY, REALLY SLIM,
BUT I TOLD HER I'D COME AND TAKE A LOOK AROUND.
BUT YOU NEVER KNOW.
IN THIS CASE, SINCE IT'S BEEN SEEN TWICE,
SHE WOULD REALLY, REALLY LIKE ME TO TRY TO FIND IT,
AND IF I CAN FIND IT, TO RELOCATE IT.
SHE DOESN'T WANT TO KILL IT, WHICH IS A NICE CHANGE.
SO MANY PEOPLE -- THE ONLY GOOD SNAKE'S A DEAD SNAKE.
THE VENOM FROM THE CORAL SNAKE
ACTUALLY BINDS INTO THE NERVOUS SYSTEM.
WHAT IT WILL CAUSE IS A PARALYSIS,
AND WHEN THE PARALYSIS HITS THE RESPIRATORY SYSTEM,
YOU CAN DIE.
CORAL SNAKES LIKE TO HIDE UNDERNEATH THINGS.
THE CORAL SNAKE, IN SPITE OF THEIR BRIGHT COLORS,
CAN JUST HIDE SO EASILY.
I HAD A CALL ON CHRISTMAS DAY ONCE FOR A CORAL SNAKE.
THEY SAW IT IN THE YARD.
THEY PUT A BIN OVER IT, BRICKS ON TOP OF IT,
AND THEY ALL STOOD THERE AND WATCHED.
AND WHEN I GOT THERE, I FLIPPED THE TUPPERWARE BIN OVER,
AND THE SNAKE WAS NOWHERE TO BE FOUND.
HE PROBABLY WENT UNDER THE GRASS AND LEFT,
AND THEY WERE ALL STANDING THERE AND THEY DIDN'T SEE HIM.
Narrator: THE CORAL SNAKE'S ABILITY TO HIDE
MAKES THEIR CAPTURE EVEN MORE DANGEROUS.
Wood: WE HAVE TO BE REALLY CAREFUL
BECAUSE IF WE ACCIDENTALLY STEP ON ONE,
THAT CAN CAUSE THEM TO STRIKE.
THERE'S SOMETHING CRUNCHING AROUND IN THE WOODS.
I'M POKING THIS PAVILION LOOKING FOR THIS CORAL SNAKE,
AND ALL OF A SUDDEN, I HEAR THIS CRUNCHING SOUND BEHIND ME.
LOOKS LIKE I'VE GOT A LITTLE COMPANY.
MY BIG PASSION IN LIFE IS HORSES.
HI, GUYS.
PLEASE DON'T STEP ON THE CORAL SNAKE.
SHOO.
I LOVE HAVING THE HORSES AROUND,
BUT IN THIS CASE, IT'S NOT A BIG HELP.
I DON'T WANT THEM TO STEP ON THE SNAKE,
I DON'T WANT THEM TO GET BIT BY THE SNAKE,
AND I DON'T WANT THEM TO SCARE THE SNAKE
ANY MORE THAN HE'S ALREADY SCARED.
OH!
I SEE YELLOW.
THE HORSES WALKING THROUGH THE BUSHES
MUST HAVE SHOOED IT OUT OF WHEREVER IT WAS.
Narrator: LISA HAS DISCOVERED THE SNAKE,
BUT IT WON'T COME EASY.
SHE MUST EXERCISE EXTREME CAUTION
BECAUSE, LIKE THE BLACK MAMBA,
A CORAL SNAKE DOESN'T NEED A DIRECT STRIKE TO ENVENOMATE.
THE SLIGHTEST CONTACT WITH THE SKIN
CAN UNLEASH ITS NEUROTOXIC VENOM.
CORAL SNAKES ARE LONG AND SKINNY AND FAST,
AND TRYING TO CATCH THEM
AND PUT THEM INTO A CONTAINER WITH A HOOK
IS KIND OF DIFFICULT.
THEY WANT TO GET AWAY,
AND THEY'RE GONNA MAKE A RUN FOR IT EVERY CHANCE THEY GET.
SHE DOESN'T WANT TO KILL IT.
SHE WOULD LIKE ME TO TRY TO RELOCATE IT.
THIS LOOKS LIKE A PRETTY NICE PLACE FOR A CORAL SNAKE.
THERE'S EVEN SOME HOLES AND THINGS LIKE THAT HE CAN HIDE IN.
THIS IS A PERFECT ENDING FOR HIM.
NOW HE CAN GO ABOUT HIS LITTLE CORAL SNAKE BUSINESS.
Narrator: THIS STORY HAS A HAPPY ENDING FOR EVERYONE.
THANKFULLY, THIS WOMAN'S SON NEVER GOT THE CHANCE
TO LAY HIS HANDS ON THE DEADLY CORAL SNAKE.
UNFORTUNATELY, ALL FLORIDA CHILDREN AREN'T SO LUCKY.
ON THE WEST COAST OF FLORIDA,
A YOUNG BOY WAS PLAYING WITH HIS BROTHER
IN THEIR BACKYARD.
Wood: THEY HAD FOUND A SNAKE AND WERE POKING IT WITH A STICK.
WHEN IT STOPPED MOVING, THEY THOUGHT IT WAS DEAD.
Jillson: THE BOY REACHED DOWN.
THE SNAKE BIT HIM IN THE HAND AND HELD ON.
Narrator: THE SNAKE WAS RELEASING
AN ENORMOUS DOSE OF ITS FATAL VENOM,
BUT FINALLY, THE BOY SHOOK FREE.
BUT HE HAD NO IDEA THAT, VERY SOON,
HE'D BE FIGHTING FOR HIS LIFE.
THE BOY'S FATHER, ALARMED AND WORRIED,
WENT OUT TO CAPTURE THE SNAKE THAT HAD BITTEN HIS SON
WITH NOTHING BUT A BUCKET.
Mullin: THE MAN TOOK THE UNCOVERED BUCKET WITH THE SNAKE IN IT,
PUT IT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT,
THEN LOADED UP HIS SON TO TAKE HIM TO THE HOSPITAL.
Narrator: ATTEMPTING TO SAVE HIS SON'S LIFE,
THE MAN BROUGHT THE SNAKE TO THE HOSPITAL FOR IDENTIFICATION,
BUT TRANSPORTING THIS DEADLY SNAKE IN A BUCKET WITH NO LID
WAS ONLY INVITING FURTHER DANGER.
Wood: ON THE WAY TO THE HOSPITAL,
THE LITTLE BOY STARTING VOMITING.
HE VOMITED THREE OR FOUR TIMES.
THE BOY'S ARM BEGAN TO SWELL,
AND HE ALSO STARTED HAVING TROUBLE BREATHING.
Jillson: THE VENOM OF A CORAL SNAKE
ATTACKS YOUR CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM.
WHAT THAT MEANS --
IT STARTS FROM YOUR HEAD AND WORKS ITS WAY SOUTH
AND, EVENTUALLY, CAUSES YOU TO STOP BREATHING.
THE WORST THING IS YOU CAN'T MOVE,
YOU CAN'T BREATHE, YOU CAN'T REACT,
BUT YOUR BRAIN IS STILL THERE.
IT KNOWS EVERYTHING, AND IT HEARS EVERYTHING.
[ MONITOR BEEPING ]
[ Echoing ] AND YOU CAN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT.
THE FATHER WENT OUT TO THE PARKING LOT
TO GET THE CORAL SNAKE SO THE MEDICAL STAFF COULD IDENTIFY IT.
Narrator: BUT WHEN THE BOY'S FATHER GOT BACK TO THE CAR,
HE WAS SHOCKED TO FIND THE SNAKE MISSING.
HE FINALLY FOUND THE SNAKE IN THE CHILD'S CAR SEAT.
Narrator: THIS SNAKE MADE ITS WAY OUT OF THE BUCKET
AND SLITHERED ITS WAY THROUGHOUT THE CAR.
THE ONLY QUESTION NOW WAS, WOULD IT CLAIM ITS NEXT VICTIM?
Wood: HE LIFTED THE CAR SEAT OUT OF THE CAR
AND HANDED IT TO DEPUTIES ON SCENE.
Narrator: THE MAN WAS NOT HURT,
BUT HE CERTAINLY COULD HAVE BEEN.
HE WAS OPERATING UNDER A COMMON MISCONCEPTION.
TRANSPORTING THE SNAKE TO THE HOSPITAL IS NOT NECESSARY.
YOU KNOW, HE COULD HAVE TAKEN A PICTURE OF IT ON SCENE,
AND HE WOULD HAVE NEVER HAD TO HAVE HIS HANDS ON IT.
IT NEVER WOULD HAVE GOTTEN OUT IN THE CAR.
Narrator: CORAL SNAKE ANTIVENOM IS IN SHORT SUPPLY.
TO SAVE THE BOY'S LIFE,
HE WOULD HAVE TO BE AIRLIFTED TO A MIAMI HOSPITAL
WHERE VENOM ONE COULD MEET HIM.
LIEUTENANT LISA WOOD
BROUGHT THE CORAL SNAKE ANTIVENOM TO THE HOSPITAL.
THIS WAS THE BOY'S ONLY HOPE FOR SURVIVAL.
10 VIALS OF ANTIVENOM WERE ADMINISTERED.
10 VIALS IS A LOT FOR A CORAL SNAKE BITE,
BUT OBVIOUSLY THE CHILD NEEDED IT.
Narrator: THE BOY WAS IN A NOSEDIVE,
UNCONSCIOUS AND UNABLE TO BREATHE ON HIS OWN.
THE BOY WAS TEETERING ON THE EDGE OF DEATH,
ALL BECAUSE HE THOUGHT IT WOULD BE FUN
TO PLAY WITH A COLORFUL BUT DEADLY CORAL SNAKE.
HIS FATHER COULD DO NOTHING BUT WATCH AND WAIT.
IT IS THE WORST, WORST THING YOU CAN POSSIBLY EVER IMAGINE.
YOU NEVER EXPECT YOU'D SEE YOUR CHILD -- YOUR CHILD --
LYING IN A HOSPITAL BED SO CLOSE TO DEATH,
AND EVERYONE THAT'S THERE
TRYING TO DO THEIR BEST TO PREVENT HIM FROM DYING.
Narrator: A BOY WAS BITTEN BY A CORAL SNAKE...
...AND AIRLIFTED TO A MIAMI HOSPITAL...
WHERE, DESPITE RECEIVING 10 VIALS OF ANTIVENOM,
HE WAS STILL SLIPPING AWAY FROM CONSCIOUSNESS.
AT THIS POINT IN TIME, THE BOY WAS NOT BREATHING ON HIS OWN.
HE WAS BEING ASSISTED BY A VENTILATOR.
[ MONITOR BEEPING ]
WITH OVER A DOZEN STAFF MEMBERS WORKING ON HIM,
HE WAS BROUGHT BACK TO A POINT
WHERE HE WAS ABLE TO BREATHE ON HIS OWN.
Narrator: THE VIALS OF ANTIVENOM TOOK HOLD,
AND THE BOY WAS BROUGHT BACK FROM THE BRINK OF DEATH.
AFTER 16 DAYS IN THE HOSPITAL, THE BOY WAS FINALLY RELEASED.
WITHOUT THE VENOM ONE UNIT, HE PROBABLY WOULD HAVE DIED.
THEY SAVED HIS LIFE.
Narrator: IT MIGHT BE NORMAL
FOR PARENTS TO WORRY ABOUT THEIR CHILDREN,
BUT WHEN THOSE PARENTS LIVE ON THE EDGE OF A SWAMP,
THEY LEARN TO KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR DEADLY CREATURES...
GREAT AND SMALL...
THAT SILENTLY, AND SOMETIMES INVISIBLY,
LIVE AMONG THEM.
AND WHEN SOUTH FLORIDA PARENTS
NEED HELP IN THE BATTLE AGAINST THESE DANGERS,
ALL THEY HAVE TO DO IS CALL 911.
WATCH HIGHLIGHTS FROM "SWAMP WARS" AT OUR WEBSITE.