/data/photo/2022/10/25/635766158cb8f.jpg "Priest dies after being bitten by pet king cobra, friend: says he gave up if one day he dies from snakes")
TRENGGALEKKOMPAS.com – Imam Rokhani (49), resident of Kabupaten TrenggalekEast Java died after being bitten by two king cobras he had held for years.
Before being bitten to death by a snake on Sunday (23/10/2022), the Imam was also bitten by a snake and had permanent hand defects.
Read also: 2 large King Cobra snakes in Trenggalek bite their owner to death, have been groomed for 5 years
Say you gave up
Imam Rokhani is a resident of Winong Hamlet, Nrayung village, Gandusari district, Trenggalek. He is not married yet.
The Imam’s close friend, Puji Setiawan, said that several years ago, the Imam had said he would give up if he died from a snake bite.
The priest at that moment said it was a risk to keep a poisonous snake.
“The deceased had principles and had surrendered. If he dies from being bitten by a snake, it is already a risk and he gives up, “said Puji Setiawan, a close friend of the deceased on Tuesday (10/25/2022).
Read also: This is what a king cobra looks like biting to death a snake charmer in Trenggalek
Found a few years ago
The king cobra, which took the life of Imam Rokhani, was first discovered in a residential area of Jombreng Hamlet, Senden Village, Kampak District, Trenggalek.
Initially discovered several years ago, the venomous snake was still about three meters long.
“First, it was found that the length of the king cobra was about three meters. After several years of treatment, it is now more than 5 meters,” Puji said.
As it was considered dangerous to the residents, the Imam took the king cobra home and took care of the snake.
“It means that the king cobra has been cared for by kawul (the deceased Imam’s nickname) for eight years,” said Puji, who is familiarly called Ompong.
The charmer has been with his king cobra throughout his life.During their maintenance, the two king cobras were fed other smaller snakes. Feeding usually takes place at night.
“The most frequent power supply is at night. Finally, before Kawul died, I came to give a small snake to feed the king cobra. There is no major discussion, “Puji explained.
Never been bitten by a disability
Puji also said that about 10 years ago, Imam Rochani was bitten by a cobra on his right hand.
At that time, Imam Rokhani was undergoing medical treatment at the Dr Soedomo Regional General Hospital (RSUD) for about a month.
“Since then, the right hand of the deceased (the Imam) has been permanently disabled,” Puji said.
Read also: The end of the snake charmer’s life, anchored by 2 king cobras that have been kept for 5 years
After the incident, friends and family advised the Imam not to play with poisonous snakes.
The Imam’s advice from relatives and family members was also followed. For about two years he hasn’t kept a snake.
“I haven’t touched any snakes for about two years,” Puji said.
Cobra illustration. Trenggalek’s cobra bites its owner to death.During that time, the Imam’s condition had completely recovered.
Until the end, the priest was again asked by the residents to evacuate the snake that often entered the chicken coop.
“Because he had recovered, Kawul could not refuse when asked to take the snake that had entered the residents’ chicken cage,” Puji said.
Read also: Trenggalek regency government receives IDR 250 million assistance from BNPB for flood management
Since then, Imam Rokhani has again taken an interest in keeping snakes.
He then evacuated two large cobra kong snakes which eventually bit him and took their own lives.
“If a python or a python, or another non-venomous snake, is released into the wild by kawul. Because the king cobra is dangerous, it is brought home and cared for, “Puji said.
Help without expecting anything in return
During his life, the deceased did not want to be called a charmer or shaman. When someone or a friend comes to mention a snake charmer, the Imam is disappointed.
Read also: Trenggalek regency government receives IDR 250 million assistance from BNPB for flood management
As long as he helped people evacuate the snake, the Imam always refused when he was given a reward.
“He has never received anything in return, those who ask for help are helped. I often participate in the evacuation of snakes ”, remembers Puji Setiawan.
Read also: Interdistrict route in Trenggalek damaged by the flood
According to him, Imam Rokhani does odd jobs. Then the results of his hard work are used to pay for the maintenance costs of his two king cobras, as well as for his personal needs.
The imam died on Sunday (10/23/2022) night after being bitten by his pet king cobra when he was about to change the snake’s drinking water early in the morning.
Immediately, the Imam’s condition was unconscious until he was pronounced dead.
The two king cobras that bit the Imam were evacuated by the officers.
Receive updates Featured News And latest news every day from Kompas.com. Let’s join the Telegram group “Kompas.com News Update”, how to click the link https://t.me/kompascomupdate, then join. You must first install the Telegram application on your mobile.
