This guy attempted to let a 20-foot, 18-stone green anaconda swallow him alive.
While most people would choose a marathon or a daring bungee jump to raise awareness, Paul Rosolie decided to let himself be eaten by a massive snake. Yes, you read that right.
Rosolie, an American conservationist, took on this extreme stunt to draw attention to a cause close to his heart: saving the Amazon rainforest.
The Amazon has faced alarming deforestation, losing around 20 percent of its area over the past five decades. It's a crisis that demands bold action, and Rosolie's approach certainly grabbed headlines.
The Amazon rainforest has been badly affected by deforestation Getty Stock Image
Although the deforestation numbers are dire, there have been some positive developments. According to BBC News, deforestation in the Amazon dropped by almost 50 percent in 2023.
Still, the fight to protect this vital ecosystem is far from over. For Rosolie, preserving the Amazon has been a lifelong mission, inspiring him to take some truly extraordinary steps to raise awareness.
One of his most memorable efforts happened back in 2014, when he attempted something so daring that it’s still being talked about today.
In an effort to raise funds for saving the rainforest, Rosolie volunteered to become dinner for a 20-foot-long, 18-stone (114kg) green anaconda.
The jaw-dropping stunt was featured in an episode of the Discovery Channel series Eaten Alive. The footage captured the terrifying ordeal in all its chilling detail.
Rosolie and his team ventured deep into the Peruvian Amazon to locate the giant anaconda. Once they found the enormous reptile, the next step was to ensure Rosolie could survive the experience.
Engineers designed a specially crafted carbon-fiber suit to protect him from being crushed by the snake’s powerful coils. To ensure the suit didn’t harm the snake’s insides, it was streamlined and coated with pig’s blood to make Rosolie a more appealing "meal."
The suit also featured a microphone, allowing Rosolie to stay in constant communication with his team, who watched anxiously from the sidelines as he prepared to be swallowed whole.
"The last thing I remember was seeing the snake's mouth open, straight at my face, and then everything went black," Rosolie recounted, describing the horrifying moment the snake began its attempt.
He elaborated during an interview with Today: "It was like being caught in a wave. I was wrapped up, and you just feel that crush."
"For over an hour, I was being constricted."
The snake was 20ft long and a whopping 18 stone Discovery Channel
Rosolie's team closely monitored his condition throughout the stunt, staying ready to intervene if necessary. Eventually, as the snake started to fully consume him, Rosolie signaled to stop the experiment by tapping out.
The episode sparked some controversy when it aired, with critics questioning the ethics of the stunt. However, Rosolie assured viewers that the snake was never harmed. A veterinary team was present throughout to ensure the animal's well-being.
It goes without saying that this isn’t something anyone should ever attempt at home.
