A hiker was killed from a rare but venomous rattlesnake bite after he made the mistake of picking up the reptile.
The unidentified male hiker, who was in Tennessee’s Savage Gulf State Park on Aug. 8, picked up what was likely a Timber rattlesnake, which has “venom potent enough to kill a human,” but whose “bites are rare,” according to the National Zoo.
“According to witnesses, the hiker had picked the Rattlesnake up resulting in a bite to his hand,” Matthew Griffith of the Grundy County Emergency Management Agency said in a statement to Fox News Digital.
The hike was believed to have suffered an allergic reaction, although his actual cause of death has not been made public, Griffith said.
Multiple agencies, including fire and rescue workers, EMS members and park rangers, arrived at the park, around a half-mile down the trail, at around 12:30 p.m., according to CBS.
CPR was then performed on the hiker, who was taken to a hospital where he “later succumbed to his injuries.”
Griffith warned of the precautionary measures hikers should take when outdoors and in proximity to poisonous animals.
“As always it’s strongly recommended to have some kind of first aid supplies while enjoying outdoor recreational activities and be mindful of wildlife and the dangers that some wildlife may pose,” he told the outlet.
“If you encounter a snake, simply remain calm and do not attempt to handle it. If bitten, seek immediate medical attention.”
It is still unclear why the hiker picked up the animal.
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