Talking point With bruce george

What animals are you bringing to our television screen with your new show Snake Crusader with Bruce George? Apart from the usual snakes and different reptiles,there are going to be a whole lot of other animals like elephants and orangutans.

The snake rescuer talks about his long-standing love affair with the lethal reptiles

What animals are you bringing to our television screen with your new show Snake Crusader with Bruce George?
Apart from the usual snakes and different reptiles,there are going to be a whole lot of other animals like elephants and orangutans.

Australia has some of the most venomous snakes in the world. Have you found equally challenging animals here on the subcontinent?
Definitely,there are many interesting animals to be found in Asia. Apart from the orangutans and the elephants that I already mentioned,there have been some fascinating snakes like the king cobra,reticulated python,Russell vipers and kraits.

Any interesting run-ins?
The most interesting experience so far was getting kissed by a king cobra. This was in Kuala Lumpur where I was working with some rescuers. Id never held a king cobra before,so naturally I was very excited. The snake then leaned in and pecked me on the cheek it was a soft,gentle,sensuous kiss. I fell in love with the king cobra,but it was a female,so I guess I should call her the Queen.

Whats been your scariest experience so far?
This happened in 2003,when I was bitten by a viper; I think it was a death adder. I was 600 kilometres away from the nearest hospital. I had to be given anti-venom,which is actually a very potent cocktail of venoms. So basically,I cant afford to get bitten anymore if that does happen,then theres a 98 percent chance that I wont make it.

Pooja Pillai

Pooja Pillai is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, working with the National Editorial and Opinion section. Her work frequently explores the intersection of society, culture and technology. Editorial Focus & Expertise Pooja’s writing spans several key domains, often blending analytical commentary with cultural critique. Art & Culture: She writes extensively on cinema, books, and the evolving landscape of arts and entertainment. Technology & Society: Her work examines the human impact of the gig economy, the rise of AI in creative fields, and the cultural shifts driven by digital platforms. Food & Lifestyle: She often uses food as a lens to explore history and politics, covering everything from the origins of pantry essentials to the impact of nutrition policy. Politics: She closely tracks political developments in South and West India and provides commentary on international political transitions, including the shifting landscape of American politics. Multimedia & Podcasting Pooja is a prominent voice in the Indian Express’s digital ecosystem. She is the host of 'DeshKaal with Yogendra Yadav', weekly video podcast where she facilitates deep-dive conversations on Indian democracy, social movements, and current political affairs. Notable Recent Works Cinema & Identity: “SRK@60: Why Shah Rukh Khan is Bollywood's last, and only, superstar” – an analysis of stardom and the changing face of Indian identity Global Politics: Commentary on the Trump administration’s misguided “war on woke culture” via typography and analysis of the visual semiotics of Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s attire during successive visits to the White House. Art & AI: “An unequal music: AI is lowering barriers at the cost of music itself” – a critique of how technology is redefining artistic value. Professional Presence Pooja is active on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram, where she shares her latest columns and editorial insights. Her full archive and latest updates can be found on her Indian Express Author Profile. ... Read More

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