Hiker saves snake from parasite by performing DIY surgery in Thailand

A hiker who noticed a struggling snake performed DIY surgery to remove a parasite.

Chum Yen, 34, noticed the golden tree snake in woodland in Chiang Mai, northern Thailand, on March 26.

He picked up the reptile and used the blade from a box cutter to carefully cut out the white parasite from the stomach of the serpent.

He then returned the snake to the wild. Chum, who works at a hotel, said: ''I noticed that the snake was not healthy. It would have had more problems in the future unless I helped it.''