Kiwi conservationist Pete Bethune has walked out of a hospital in Costa Rica today after a deadly snakebite almost claimed his life two weeks ago.
He was bitten by the highly venomous Fer De Lance snake in a South American jungle just after Christmas.
Initially fearing he wouldn't make it out alive, Bethune managed a difficult three-hour trek, clambering and dragging himself through unforgiving terrain to reach his boat.
![Pete Bethune in hospital. Photo / Supplied](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/RGWXTOSUJF7NX5BQJS6RB4JOXE.jpg?auth=9557d0207958f28f9a42d05df391fe0d623e4f3f4840238f6705dfcb61bbdd55&width=16&height=13&quality=70&smart=true)
By the time he got to a hospital, his left leg had swollen to at least double the size of his right after the Fer De Lance viper sank its fangs into his lower calf.