A 46-year-old woman has died after being bitten by a rattlesnake in the Wildwood Regional Park area in Thousand Oaks, the Ventura County Medical Examiner’s Office said.
The bite occurred around 11:40 a.m. on March 14. A Ventura County Fire Department (VCFD) helicopter responded and airlifted the woman to Los Robles Regional Medical Center, according to the VCFD. The Medical Examiner’s Office said she died on March 19.
Recent reports have identified the woman as Gabriela Bautista, a resident of Moorpark, a wife, mother and avid hiker.
Six days later, around 7:30 p.m. on March 20, Ventura County firefighters responded to reports of a snake bite on the Wendy Trail in Newbury Park. Crews hiked in and used a lightweight wheeled stretcher to reach and remove a teenage girl, who was transported to Los Robles in stable condition with minor injuries, according to the Thousand Oaks Acorn.
The recent Thousand Oaks incidents follow the early-March death of a 25-year-old man after a rattlesnake bite sustained while mountain biking in February in Irvine, according to reports.
The City of Moorpark on March 23 shared safety guidance for peak rattlesnake season, which typically runs through October. Officials advise:
- If you see a rattlesnake, keep a safe distance, stay calm, and slowly back away.
- Do not attempt to handle the snake.
Authorities recommended additional precautions for trail users, including wearing boots and long pants, staying on clearly marked paths, and avoiding tall grass.
The U.S. Forest Service has also issued a warning regarding an increase in rattlesnake sightings in Southern California. In a social media post, the USFS San Bernardino National Forest rangers reminded hikers to be wary while exploring.
“As temperatures rise, rattlesnakes become more active in the forest,” the USFS’s post said. ” Stay alert, watch where you step and keep pets close.” Adding, “If you encounter a rattlesnake, give it plenty of space and calmly move away,” the social media post said. “Never attempt to touch or disturb wildlife.”
Rattlesnake safety: what to do, symptoms to watch for, and how to avoid bites
If bitten (call 911 immediately)
- Stay still; keep the injured limb immobilized and below heart level.
- Keep the person warm and at rest.
- Avoid food and drink.
- Cover the wound with a clean, dry dressing.
- Do not use a tourniquet, cut the wound, try to suck out venom, apply ice, immerse in water, or ingest alcohol or caffeine.
- Don’t wait for symptoms before seeking care.
Possible symptoms of envenomation
- Puncture marks; redness, swelling, and severe pain at the site.
- Nausea/vomiting; trouble breathing; vision disturbances.
- Heavy sweating or salivation.
- Numbness or tingling in the face or limbs.
Identifying and understanding rattlesnakes
- Common in Southern California: Western Diamondback and Southern Pacific rattlesnakes.
- Broad, triangular head; patterned body with markings that narrow toward the tail; tail tipped with a rattle. They can swim.
- Most active with warm weather—often sheltering during midday heat, more active mornings and evenings.
Avoiding encounters
- Give snakes space—at least 6 feet; never harass or handle wildlife.
- Stay on established trails; watch where you step and place your hands, especially when stepping over rocks/logs.
- Avoid tall grass and leaf piles.
- Wear long pants and sturdy footwear.
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long pants won’t do a thing against a rattler bite. Boots, and a stick, and if you really want to be safe, buy snake guards for your shins, they are effective and not expensive. I use them everytime i hike around the ojai mountains or the sespe. Honestly, a slow walk, a stick and common sense will protect you. Use the stick to whack the ground several feet a head of you. Stay on the trail, avoid tall grass. The worst thing is when you are IN tall grass and hear the rattle….and don’t know where it is. A snake stick will help alert any near by snake that you are there, you are coming. They feel vibrations. Vibration Detection: Rattlesnakes do not hear well, but they are highly sensitive to ground vibrations, which alert them to a large presence early.
Probing Areas: You can use a stick or trekking pole to safely check behind logs or rocks before stepping over them, avoiding surprises.
Defensive Buffer: A walking stick acts as a first line of defense, providing a physical barrier between you and a snake if one is encountered.
Heartfelt condolences to all who knew and loved Gabriela Bautista. What a terrible tragedy.