PETA called it when they referred to the naturalist who was eaten alive as a “fool” and by checking Twitter, I’d say many would agree. For weeks, this show has been proclaiming that author and rainforest advocate, although I use the term “advocate” loosely, would be eaten alive by a giant anaconda, hence the special’s name Eaten Alive . The two-hour special aired last night on the Discovery Channel and left many people annoyed.
Hey, @Discovery there’s something called real science you could be airing. Just a thought. #EatenAlive #DiscoveryChannel
— John Harrell (@IAMJohn_Harrell) December 8, 2014
Reid/JMN: Feels like -15C but sun/cloud high zero. Snow on the way tmr. Did you waste ur time watching #EatenAlive ? pic.twitter.com/2QwsF2cBXn
— 98.9 THE DRIVE (@989THEDRIVE) December 8, 2014
The special shows the six week search that Paul Rosolie and his crew spent in the Amazon looking for the perfect anaconda to be his predator, although according to PETA, maybe we should call the anaconda Rosolie’s prey. PETA was completely outraged when clips began airing back in the beginning of November and released this statement as seen on Reuters, “Anacondas go days without eating and expend the energy needed to do so selectively. Making this snake use up energy by swallowing this fool and then possibly regurgitating him would have left the poor animal exhausted and deprived of the energy he or she needs.” Well, PETA didn’t have as much to worry about.
While Rosolie was wearing a special carbon fiber suit to prevent the anaconda from completely crushing him, the giant snake got Rosolie’s helmet in his mouth before Rosolie had to “tap out.” I don’t know about you, but I was unaware that this was a wrestling match.
It’s phrases like “tap out” and covering the completely unappetizing and inedible carbon fiber suit in pig’s blood in order to entice the hungry anaconda that discredit Rosolie’s efforts. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly , Rosolie talked about why he doing this whole stunt. Rosolie commented, “They [the animal loving public] don’t make the jump to caring about the habitat that animals live in.” Thank you for that clarification, I can totally understand how getting eaten by a snake will get people to start caring about the Amazon Rainforest. I think Entertainment Weekly had it right when they referred to Rosolie as a “ snake torturing opportunist .”
Although many feared there was damage done, Rosolie has recovered completely after months of recuperation and is free to continue being a “snake torturing opportunist.” And the snake? According to the Discovery Channel, the snake is “alive and healthy.” Maybe next time the Discovery Channel should rename it to Eaten Alive…But Not Really .
[Photo Courtesy of Discovery.com ]