Dieter Zorn, a 53-year old German reptile enthusiast who had spent his life teaching people how to overcome their fear of snakes, died from a heart attack on Tuesday after being bitten by an Aspic viper during his "Reptile Show" in Faugères, southern France, The Local reports.
Zorn had been touring villages in the Hérault area of France where he was bitten several times by the Aspic viper and unable to put the snake back into a secure container to prevent it from attacking members of the audience, including children.
Emergency services arrived on the scene and administered a blood-thinner to Zorn, but soon after he went into cardiac arrest and they were unable to save him.
Uschi Kallus, Korn's colleague who also ran the "Reptile Show," told The Local that he had suffered an "extremely rare allergic reaction" the viper's venom. She emphasized that Zorn would never have wanted the viper to be blamed for his death.
"His ambition and his objective in life was to help people to conquer their fears about snakes and reptiles," she said, noting that the incident was "exceptionally uncommon."
Zorn, a former hepatologist (liver specialist), had spent the past three decades touring with his "Repitle Show" in which audience members of all ages were invited to handle snakes, crocodiles, scorpions, spiders and other commonly feared creatures during a special performance known as the "Interactive Reptiles Shows."
"The public (under no obligation), can get up close to different inoffensive snakes. Touching and holding, stroking, and carrying these harmless snakes is, for most people, unique and unforgettable. This experience helps us to get over unfounded fears, and eliminate prejudices," his website reads. In another section of the site, he includes detailed instructions on how to treat a snake bite in an emergency.
