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© copyright 2008 stephen dunleavy. designed by eberlin
current projects
Venom Hunter is an exciting new programme exploring the venomous creatures of the Amazon and their relationship with the people of the region.
The story takes presenter Steve Backshall to the far north of Brazil. In this part of the Amazon, venom is a serious problem with more people admitted to hospital from venomous bites and stings than from malaria.
Steve discovers a very different attitude towards venom when he visits the Satere-Mawe tribe. Young men of this tribe allow themselves to be stung by hundreds of bullets ants as a rite of passage into adulthood. Each ant sting is said to be as painful as being shot. Steve takes part in the ritual, allowing his hands to be stung hundreds of times over.
Venom Hunter will be on Discovery Channel later this year.
The story takes presenter Steve Backshall to the far north of Brazil. In this part of the Amazon, venom is a serious problem with more people admitted to hospital from venomous bites and stings than from malaria.
Steve discovers a very different attitude towards venom when he visits the Satere-Mawe tribe. Young men of this tribe allow themselves to be stung by hundreds of bullets ants as a rite of passage into adulthood. Each ant sting is said to be as painful as being shot. Steve takes part in the ritual, allowing his hands to be stung hundreds of times over.
Venom Hunter will be on Discovery Channel later this year.
The team at the end of three weeks filming.
Left to right: Keith (camera), Dudu (local guide), Steve (presenter), Raquel (assistant producer), Me, Andrew (sound), Antonio (field doctor)
Left to right: Keith (camera), Dudu (local guide), Steve (presenter), Raquel (assistant producer), Me, Andrew (sound), Antonio (field doctor)
Steve Backshall immediately after his painful ordeal. He has just been stung by hundreds of bullet ants. Next to him is tribe member Denelson who has done the ritual twenty times.
My leg after a week camping in the rainforest. Several members of the crew got these nasty, itchy red blotches. They are a reaction to the larvae of mites that burrow into the skin and stay there for a few days before dropping out.
Flying over the Amazon rainforest. This was on our journey from Santerem to Paritins. We had so much camera equipment we had to charter our own plane.
Venom Hunter