Man Dies by Snakebite After Illegal Animal Importation Investigation

A man, Marius Joubert, tragically ended his life by intentionally allowing his own snakes to bite him. Authorities discovered the 28-year-old had been illegally importing exotic animals. When police arrived at his home last year, they found approximately 60 of the creatures. A source close to the investigation described the death as extremely painful and horrific, taking about nine hours from the bite to collapse and another three hours for the venom to kill him. The incident occurred in Hennenman, a town in South Africa.

Joubert was facing investigation for burglary and theft. When police planned to search his property, suspecting him of illegal activities involving exotic animals, he chose to unleash his snakes on himself. During the police visit, officers discovered 60 snakes, along with other exotic creatures such as a crocodile, iguanas, monitors, tarantulas, hedgehogs, and ferrets. Joubert provoked his snakes into biting him, resulting in his death. Officials confirmed he deliberately exposed himself to the lethal venom of his serpents. Despite efforts to rescue him, including being rushed to hospital, medical staff did not possess the appropriate antivenom.

The source stated that Joubert knew the charges he would face could lead to a lengthy prison sentence. He asked if he could feed his snakes, and once the restraints were removed, he put his hands into two cages and was bitten by two snakes. One of the snakes was identified as an Indochinese Spitting Cobra. He began to appear unwell and then collapsed. Because the cobra was not native to South Africa, there was no anti-venom available. The tragedy has prompted investigations into the origin of the exotic animals and Joubert's clients. Concerns have also been raised regarding the welfare of the creatures found at his premises.

The Bloemfontein Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) intervened to rescue the neglected animals. Numerous exotic creatures may need to be euthanized due to the circumstances surrounding Joubert's actions, with an investigation into the case still continuing. Chief Inspector Reinet Meyer described the scenes inside the house as horrifying, with over 70 wild animals severely neglected. The animals were removed by the SPCA and are undergoing examination and treatment. The SPCA hopes to heal and return as many of the indigenous species as possible to their natural habitat, but the foreign exotic animals will likely have to be euthanized. A number of the animals and reptiles had tragically already succumbed to starvation and dehydration and were very neglected and in poor health.