TED Talks Daily A king cobra bite -- and a scientific discovery | Gowri Shankar
Dec 29, 2021
Gowri Shankar, a conservationist and TED Fellow, shares his gripping story of survival after being bitten by a king cobra. He reveals his shocking discovery that there are actually four distinct species of king cobras, challenging existing conservation strategies. Gowri emphasizes the vital role these snakes play in ecological balance and discusses innovative community efforts to protect their habitats. His passion for conservation and the urgency for action create a powerful message about preserving this majestic species.
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Near-Death Experience
- Gowri Shankar was bitten by a king cobra while rescuing it, and the antivenom failed.
- He survived with a small dose of venom, but the experience sparked his research.
Antivenom Failure
- Gowri Shankar questioned why the Thai antivenom didn't work on an Indian king cobra.
- This led to his research and the discovery of multiple king cobra species.
Multiple Species
- Gowri Shankar's research revealed that the king cobra is not one, but four distinct species.
- This explains why the Thai antivenom was ineffective on his Indian king cobra bite.