Bhubaneswar, Oct 10: A 28-year-old snake catcher died after being bitten by a cobra while reportedly shooting a social media reel and taking photographs with the venomous snake at his residence in Odisha’s Puri district on Friday.

The deceased, identified as Tapan Kumar Pradhan of Kanthapur village under Puri Sadar police station limits, was known locally for rescuing snakes and handling venomous reptiles. Videos of him interacting with snakes had also gained attention on social media.

According to reports, the incident occurred at around 2 pm on Friday when Tapan was filming a reel on the veranda of his house. The cobra reportedly bit the thumb of his right hand before inflicting further bites on his elbow and arm.

He was taken to a private hospital, where he was administered an injection. Doctors reportedly advised him to return for another injection after 10 minutes. However, he allegedly left for home without receiving the second injection.

His condition deteriorated later in the afternoon, prompting family members to rush him to the District Headquarters Hospital in Puri. However, doctors declared him dead on arrival.

Tapan’s body has been kept in the hospital mortuary, and police said it would be handed over to his family after a post-mortem on Saturday.

He had reportedly rescued hundreds of snakes during his lifetime, often responding to calls from residents when reptiles entered their homes. The incident highlights the serious risks of handling venomous snakes without appropriate professional safeguards.

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