A bite from a taipan snake, one of the six most venomous snakes in the world, has potentially left a two-year-old boy with brain damage.
“It’s rare. He’s really unlucky.”
Two-year-old Eli was collecting eggs from a chicken pen in their backyard when a coastal taipan bit him.
The snake was apparently able to bite him three times, which could mean that Eli accidentally stepped on the snake. The snake might have been hunting for rats and mice when it encountered the toddler. The boy suffered from cardiac arrest because of the bite, and the lack of oxygen may have caused him to suffer from brain damage.
According to Eli’s mother, “He is very sensitive at the moment, very easily over stimulated. Speaking with Neurology Dr today, she is gathering her team to run all his necessary tests and start his rehabilitation ASAP.”
According to Harley Jones, the owner of Snakes in the City in Sydney, “Despite being common, it’s rare for people to encounter them. They’re actually quite elusive, a very shy snake. It’s rare. He’s really unlucky.” He then adds, “You’re more likely to be hit by lightning.”
Hoping for recovery
Eli’s family is currently hoping all the best for his recovery. His parents have moved to Brisbane, which is 500 kilometers away from their home in Queensland.
A family friend, Blake Hyland, has set up a GoFundMe page for the family in order to support the family. It has now raised $23,455, which has exceeded the $20,000 target.
According to a recent report, Eli is no longer considered “fighting for his life”, as he is now off a respirator and is able to breathe on his own. However, the extent of the brain damage caused by the cardiac arrest is still unclear. Eli will soon undergo months of rest and rehabilitation so that he can hopefully get back to living a normal life.
Go to the next page to learn more about staying safe around animals!
Staying safe around animals
While Eli’s case might have been an extremely rare occurrence, there’s no denying the risk that animal bites pose. This is why it’s important not only for us to make sure that our kids are safe, but also to teach our kids how to be safe around animals. Here are some useful tips:
- Avoid interrupting animals – this is true most especially if they are eating, sleeping, or nursing. Even if they’re family pets, it’s best to not disturb them.
- Don’t leave a child or a baby alone with a pet – pets can sometimes be unpredictable, so it would be best to not leave your child alone with a pet, even if they’re very tame.
- Teach your kids to ask permission before petting an animal – while some pets are fine with kids petting them, some others are more temperamental. So it’s best to ask the pet owner frst if your kids can touch their pet.
- Teach your kids to never run past a dog – dogs love to chase and run after things. If your child encounters a stray dog, make sure to tell them to keep calm and not run.
- Animals usually show signs before an attack – if you have any pets at home, make sure to teach your child what warning signs to look out for in case of an attack.
- If your child gets bitten by an animal, seek help immediately – make sure that your child is aware that in the event that they get bitten by any animal, they should look for you, or any adult to help them out. You should also make sure to always have emergency phone numbers handy.
- Teach your child to not handle sick or injured animals – while nursing an injured animal back to health might seem like a great idea, it’s not always the case. Some animals become more aggressive when they’re injured, so the best thing to do would be to call a veterinary clinic or animal control so that they can help the animal better.
Sources: 9News, Yahoo Australia, WebMD
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