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A MARONG man is lucky to have escaped with his life after his colleagues were forced to administer CPR following a snake bite at a chicken farm this week.
John Clancy is recovering in hospital following the encounter with the brown snake and is urging the public to refrain from approaching the reptiles in the wild.
The 50-year-old was alerted to the snake by a colleague who found the reptile in the Bald Hill farm's egg room near Marong on Tuesday.
Mr Clancy, who has experience handling snakes, said he picked up the reptile with a broom and attempted to place it in a bag.
"I put him in a bag to tie him up and get rid of him but I think he got me when I was putting him in the bag," Mr Clancy said.
"I wasn't sure whether he had got me or I had scratched myself - it was that simple."
Mr Clancy said he planned to release the snake into the wild but instead collapsed.
"Probably within five minutes of putting (the snake) into the bag to when I got to the car I started feeling really out of it," he said.
Mr Clancy's colleagues administered CPR and called an ambulance.
Mr Clancy said he would advise people who were untrained to handle the reptiles to steer clear and call a licensed snake catcher.
"I would say don't touch them, don't go near them, call a professional," he said.
Bendigo licensed snake catcher Gary Bright discouraged the public from approaching the reptiles.
"It depends how much experience you have, I would say give them a wide berth and call a professional - brown snakes are nothing to muck around with," he said.
Mr Bright said warmer weather caused snakes to emerge from their winter hibernation and people should ensure their properties were clear of overgrown vegetation.
Snakes are protected under the Wildlife Act 1975. Mr Bright said it was illegal to capture, kill or harm them.
If you spot a snake at your property call Mr Bright 0427 436 223 on or the Department of Environment and Primary Industries on 136 186.