A man attempted to be eaten alive by a snake on live TV but instantly regretted it. Now, he’s opened up about the reasons behind his shocking decision.
Conservationist Paul Rosolie, along with a team of 10, tracked down a massive 20-foot, 18-stone anaconda in the Amazon rainforest—one of the most fearsome creatures in the wild.
In a shocking attempt, Rosolie geared up in a black armored suit, covered himself in pig blood, and crawled toward the snake on all fours, hoping to let the creature consume him. This daring stunt left viewers at home horrified.
Many questioned Rosolie’s sanity, but he maintains that there was a powerful message behind the daring act. He insists that his goal was to highlight the importance of conservation and raise awareness about the dangers these magnificent creatures face in the wild.
The insane stunt took place in 2014 and was featured on Discovery Channel’s Eaten Alive.
In preparation, Rosolie and his team spent weeks scouring the Amazon rainforest for a suitable snake, finally locating the massive anaconda they would attempt to confront.
To ensure the conservationist would survive the encounter, a team of engineers designed a custom carbon-fiber suit equipped with built-in cameras, a radio microphone, and safety mechanisms.
The suit was engineered to withstand the anaconda’s crushing force, the primary method the snake uses to subdue its prey. To attract the giant snake, the suit was coated in pig’s blood, simulating the scent of a natural food source.
Rosolie communicated with his team via radio while being constricted by the anaconda for over an hour, though he was unable to see or hear much due to the intense pressure.
Throughout the stunt, a medical team, veterinarians, and his wife were present to ensure both his safety and the well-being of the snake.
Later, the conservationist described the experience as “difficult” and “stressful,” reflecting on the physical and emotional strain of the encounter.
He recounted, “My heart was racing. The last thing I remember is seeing the snake’s mouth open right in front of my face. Everything went black, and then it felt like being caught in a wave. I was just wrapped up, and you feel that crushing force.”
Rosolie first fell in love with the Amazon and its remarkable wildlife during a visit at age 18. Since then, he has dedicated his life to environmental conservation, working in regions such as Indonesia, Brazil, India, and Peru to protect endangered ecosystems and species.
Rosolie was determined to raise awareness about the conservation efforts in the Amazon and shift public perception of the anaconda.
In an interview with Today, he explained: “It actually started with me watching the rainforest burn and getting really frustrated that people weren’t as concerned about it as I was. I wanted to do something that would grab people’s attention.”
“People have tried everything else. I work down there year after year, and you see this habitat being destroyed,” Rosolie said.
Ultimately, Rosolie hoped the dramatic stunt would highlight the urgent situation in the Amazon rainforest and inspire others to support conservation efforts.
Whether or not the stunt achieved its intended impact is debatable, but it undeniably captured worldwide attention and brought greater focus to the rainforest’s plight.
