Anaconda: ‘Eaten Alive’ Star Discusses His Motive And Experience

Anaconda man Paul Rosolie survived being “eaten alive” by a 18-foot snake. Although he is facing stark criticism for the stunt, Rosolie said he was confident that he and the snake were “going to be safe.”

Indeed, Discovery confirmed the snake survived the incident. However, Rosolie said he is “much worse off” as the snake “beat the sh*t” out of him. Months later, the conservationist said he is still recovering from the dangerous stunt.

Although he suffered minor injuries, Paul Rosolie said it was well worth it. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, the conservationist explained that he performed the stunt in an attempt to raise awareness.

“I’ve studied anacondas for years. They’re a misunderstood species. People hunt them and kill them… So I wanted to do something that would sort of shock people and force a dialogue about what’s going on here — and it’s working.”

The anaconda man’s Eaten Alive special has certainly drawn a lot of attention. Unfortunately, a majority of the attention has been highly critical.

“People all over the world have been calling me saying they hope I get Ebola, that they hope I die, that they think I’m heinous and inhuman and horrible, and that I’m ‘the Hitler of animals.'”

Paul Rosolie said the threats are specifically disturbing as the special has not even aired. The conservationist is confident that his critics “are going to be supporters” once they actually watch Eaten Alive.

During the stunt, Rosolie wore a carbon fiber suit which was designed to protect himself and the snake. The anaconda man was also outfitted with a supply of oxygen, several cameras, and communication devices.

The carbon fiber suit was soaked in pig blood to attract the snake’s attention. Rosolie then laid on the ground and emulated the movements of the snake’s prey. As reported by Today, the anaconda took the bait and Paul Rosolie was “eaten alive.”

“The last thing I remember is seeing the snake’s mouth open straight at my face… Everything went black. It was like being caught it a wave. It was just wrapped up; you feel that crush … For over an hour I was being constricted.”

Although Paul Rosolie has granted several interviews about his experience, he refuses to discuss how far he actually made it into the snake’s mouth. The anaconda man said the Eaten Alive special will answer all remaining questions. The program will debut on Discovery on December 7 at 9 p.m. ET.

[Image via Paul Rosolie]