During Jeff Corwin’s explorations or filming, there were many times when Jeff had near death experiences due to the unpredictable nature of animals. This goes to show that no matter how much you can understand and know about an animal, they will always have ways to surprise you. Despite the dangers, Jeff Corwin’s love for these animals are still strong and passionate, always ready to risk his life so that the world can better understand these animals. Below are some of Jeff Corwin’s near death experiences.

The Coral Snake Bite:

Coral snakes are highly venomous and they belong to the same family of snakes like the cobra. They are easily identified by their red, black and yellow bands around their body.

During a trip to Belize for Jeff’s graduate work, during a hike Jeff spotted a coral snake. As the snake slithered away quickly, Jeff in order to stop and observe the snake, made a huge mistake by stepping on it with his sandals. The coral snake turned and bit Jeff’s big toe. Pain shot up his leg immediately as he knew if he does not receive antivenin within 4 hours, he would die as coral snakes have very potent venom. He quickly made his way to a British International School nearby too seek help.

On his way there, he started to drool, lose control over the leg that got bitten, his heart beat got faster and faster and eyes watered. When he finally got there, they contacted the embassy and a British Defense Force helicopter arrived to evacuate Jeff out of the jungle to a hospital with antivenom needed to save his life. Luckily they reached in time at around 3 hours after the bite and adminstered the antivenin hence Jeff eventually recovered.

 

The Angry Elephant:

Another near death experience for Jeff was in 2007, during the filming of a documentary “Planet in Peril”. In the wildlife rehabilitation, Jeff made the mistake of turning his back on an elephant and that elephant did not want to be ignored by Jeff. Hence the elephant, using its powerful trunk, lifted Jeff up and swinged him around like a ragdoll. Crushed many muscles and tore many ligaments. If the elephant handlers didn’t step in as quickly as they did, the elephant might have killed Jeff. Despite the pain, Jeff continued to report and described how that was the perfect example for the conflict between elephants and men. All these was caught on tape: