Kiwi conservationist Pete Bethune's condition improves after deadly snake bite 29 Dec, 2020 01:39 AM 3 minutes to read Kiwi conservationist Captain Pete Bethune has been bitten by a highly venomous snake called a Fer De Lance while on patrol in the jungles of Costa Rica. Video / Supplied Kiwi conservationist Captain Pete Bethune has been bitten by a highly venomous snake called a Fer De Lance while on patrol in the jungles of Costa Rica. Video / Supplied Kiwi conservationist Pete Bethune is on the mend - albeit slowly - after being bitten by one of the deadliest snakes in Central America. The highly venomous snake is considered to be the most dangerous snake in Costa Rica and Bethune knows how lucky he is to be alive.