Colorado man dies from Gila monster bite

The Jefferson County coroner has confirmed the death of a 34-year-old man in Lakewood, Colorado, following a Gila monster bite. The man, whose identity has not been disclosed, passed away four days after being bitten by one of his two pet Gila monsters.

Dr. Nick Brandehoff, a medical toxicologist and reptile expert with the Asclepius Snakebite Foundation, emphasized the need to respect all venomous animals in light of this tragic incident. The case has sparked concerns and discussions among experts and authorities.

Understanding Gila Monsters

Gila monsters, venomous reptiles found in the southwestern United States, are known for their painful bites, although they are not typically fatal to humans. The last recorded human fatality from a Gila monster bite dates back to 1930, making such incidents exceedingly rare.

Dr. Brandehoff stated that the majority of Gila monster bites result in local swelling and bleeding, accompanied by intense localized pain and, in some cases, loss of consciousness. However, fatalities are highly uncommon, with the last documented case dating back to 1930.

Details of the incident

According to experts involved in the case, the victim was bitten by a 12-inch-long juvenile Gila monster on February 12. After being hospitalized, he tragically passed away on the Friday before the Presidents Day holiday weekend. The precise cause of death is yet to be determined, pending additional toxicology testing.

Legal ramifications and further investigation

Following the incident, Colorado Parks and Wildlife was called upon to remove the Gila monsters from the victim's residence. It is worth noting that owning Gila monsters in Colorado without a license is illegal. Additionally, the victim owned tarantulas, which are not subject to the same legal restrictions.

Eric Harper, a criminal investigator with Colorado Parks and Wildlife, emphasized the dangers posed by venomous reptiles and stressed that they should only be handled or possessed by individuals with proper training. He also mentioned that the Gila monster responsible for the incident will be transported to a lab at the University of Northern Colorado for venom extraction and analysis.

Moving forward

Dr. Brandehoff expressed the need to analyze the venom components of the reptile responsible for the tragedy in order to better understand the reasons behind the fatal outcome. He suggested that the victim may have experienced an allergic reaction to the Gila monster's venom, although this is still under investigation.

The Lakewood Police Department confirmed that the two Gila monsters have been relocated to a wildlife rehabilitation center in another state, removing any immediate threat they may pose.