Melbourne-area snake catcher Mark Pelley was bitten on the hand by a tiger snake during a call-out on 10 March 2024. Contemporary reporting described him as critically ill, with his daughter sharing updates about his condition. That March 2024 crisis is historical: his present health status has not been verified here.
What happened to Mark Pelley?
On 15 March 2024, 7NEWS reported that Pelley was trying to catch a tiger snake on Sunday morning, 10 March, when a piece of equipment broke and the snake bit his hand. The report said the bite was followed by rapid deterioration and an intensive-care admission.
According to the 7NEWS account, which attributed updates to Pelley’s daughter, Aishah, he had organ failure and muscle and nerve damage and had received two doses of antivenom. These were contemporaneous family updates reported by the news outlet, not a clinical record.
An ABC 774 Melbourne interview listing dated 8 May 2024 described the bite as occurring while Pelley was responding to a routine call-out. The interview focused on what he thought were his final moments.
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What is known about his condition now?
The available dated reporting establishes the seriousness of the March 2024 emergency, but it does not establish Pelley’s current health or recovery status as of 4 October 2026. The phrase “fights for life” described the crisis reported at the time; it should not be read as a current update.
What did Pelley say about handling snakes?
Speaking from his hospital bed in the 7NEWS report, Pelley warned: “If you see a snake, don’t touch it.” He also said: “This is what it looks like when you catch a tiger snake, and it bites you and this is why I tell people don’t touch snakes because even someone as experienced as me can get bitten.” His warning is especially important for pet owners: keep people and animals away from a snake rather than trying to handle or remove it yourself.
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What should you do if someone is bitten by a snake in Australia?
Healthdirect Australia says every suspected snake bite should be treated as potentially life-threatening. Call triple zero (000) and ask for an ambulance, even if the person seems well. Move them away from the snake without approaching or trying to catch it, keep them still and calm, and stay with them until help arrives.
Use pressure immobilisation while waiting for help
Healthdirect advises applying a pressure immobilisation bandage. Put a roller bandage over the bite, then use a second roller bandage on the limb, starting above the fingers or toes and moving up the body. Immobilise the limb with splints. Follow emergency call-taker instructions and do not delay calling 000 to find supplies.
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Avoid these actions
- Do not wash the bite, because medical staff may need to test for venom.
- Do not use a tourniquet, cut the wound, or try to suck out venom.
- Do not try to catch or kill the snake.
If the person becomes unresponsive or is not breathing normally, Healthdirect says to start CPR. Medical assessment is needed for a suspected bite even when there are no obvious symptoms.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How common are snake bites and antivenom treatment?
Healthdirect Australia’s snakebite statistics page, last reviewed in October 2024, gives these estimates. The page does not state the underlying publication year for each figure, so they should not be read as newly measured in 2024.
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- About 1 in 3 Australian hospital visits for snake bites are from brown snake bites.
- Between 1 and 4 people die from snake bites in Australia each year.
- About 5 in 100 people bitten by a snake are given antivenom.
These broad figures do not predict the outcome of an individual bite. For an emergency, follow Australian first-aid guidance and contact 000.
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- Snake bite kit is light, compact and highly portable. It comes in a hard-shell case with four sizes of extraction cups and a tourniquet band to help control the spread of the venom until it can be extracted
- Snake bite kit by WAEKIYTL is a sturdy, reliable First Aid tool for extracting subcutaneous venom from snake bites, bee stings, wasp stings, etc. Note, venom extractors work well to pull venom from just beneath the skin but not from within the muscle tissue. Effectiveness will vary depending upon where the bite/sting occurred and how deep it is. Always seek professional medical attention immediately
Sources
- 7NEWS, 15 March 2024: report on Mark Pelley’s tiger-snake bite
- ABC 774 Melbourne, 8 May 2024: interview listing
- Healthdirect Australia: snake bites and first aid
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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