A famous snake handler, known as the ‘ snake whisperer’ has died after being bitten by a deadly cobra.
Abu Zarin, whose skills saw him progress to the quarter finals of Asia’s Got Talent, was attacked by the reptile in Betong, Malaysia.
The 33-year-old was a firefighter who taught his colleagues how to capture dangerous snakes without harming them.
He also wowed TV audiences by showing how to ‘kiss’ the venon-filled reptiles.
It is not the first time he had been bitten by a cobra – The Star in Malaysia reports that he went into a coma back in 2015.
The fatal bite happened shortly before 8pm on Monday, and he died at the Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Hospital.
He is believed to have been on a snake-catching operation when he was bitten.
Unfortunately his fame spread when a story circulated in Thai media claiming that he had married a snake.
The reports, which were inaccurate, alleged that he believed the snake to be his ‘reincarnated’ girlfriend.
It was subsequently picked up by media all over the world.
In the aftermath he said, the BBC reports: “They used my photos and started making up stories, saying that I married a snake.”
More photos below;
