In 2014, conservationist Paul Rosolie embarked on a controversial mission to be “eaten alive” by a massive green anaconda in the Peruvian Amazon, aiming to spotlight the rainforest’s plight.
The stunt, filmed for the Discovery Channel’s Eaten Alive, saw Rosolie don a custom carbon-fiber suit with cameras and a three-hour oxygen supply to withstand the snake’s crushing coils.
An experienced naturalist, Rosolie provoked the anaconda, which lunged and wrapped him in its powerful grip, squeezing tighter with each breath.
“She’s got my arms pinned,” he said, as the pressure became unbearable, nearly breaking his arm. His team monitored his vitals, intervening when his heart rate soared and breathing faltered.
Though the suit prevented serious injury, Rosolie quickly regretted the ordeal, calling it “terrifying.” The stunt drew criticism for misleading viewers, who expected full ingestion, and for potential animal cruelty, with groups like PETA condemning the stress on the snake.
Rosolie’s team insisted they minimized harm, and he defended the act as a fundraiser for his Junglekeepers organization, protecting over 77,000 acres of Amazon habitat.
Despite the backlash, Rosolie’s daring move sparked global conversations about conservation, highlighting the Amazon’s beauty and fragility, even if it underscored the risks of sensationalism in advocacy.
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