This was my first snake bite and the first lesson for
a slow learner. Years following I learned the necessity of caution
before later dealing with large quantities of more venomous and
deadly snakes. I was fortunate to have been afforded such
lessons without suffering severe consequences. I now recognize
this field as one that demands the utmost responsibility and
caution.
"Snake bite doesn't worry this young reptile
lover"
By: Lillian Martin, staff writer for
The
South Dade News Leader
Shown in photo is Lee Moore and
Python stretched across a City of Miami Police car
"Python comes calling at Viscaya"
By: John Arnold and David Lyons
Miami Herald Staff Writer
In the late 1940’s Bill Haast began his efforts to bring recognition
to what was then, mostly unknown qualities and benefits of snake
venom in medical research. It was Mr. Haast's work at the famed
Miami Serpentarium Laboratories that brought notoriety to the
seemingly unlimited characteristics of different snake venom and the
immunopotent reactions it has on the human physiology.
Mr. Haast's work demonstrated, though not properly recognized, that
medical advancements can be more readily made with the collaboration
between infield technicians and medical researchers.
Mr. Haast’s work has also influenced other
pioneers of this field.
The late “fearless” Ronald
Thomas Wagner worked for Bill Haast at the Miami Serpentarium.
He was in route to follow his inspired dream to establish an
institute for venom extraction when his life was ended in that
infamous plane crash. Though his efforts where cut short on
that fateful day, the many stories I heard about his adventures certainly played a role in the development of
my ambitions.
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