What began as a routine call-out for Pietermaritzburg snake catcher Akil Ramsurran quickly turned into one of the most memorable rescues of his career when he discovered two black mambas hiding beneath a stack of old corrugated iron, The Witness reports. 

The rescue took place in the Lion Park area, about 25km southeast of Pietermaritzburg, where a homeowner reported seeing a large grey snake disappearing beneath ageing inverted box rib roofing sheets.

Ramsurran admitted he expected little when he responded to the call.

“I was doubtful because it was in an uncontrolled environment, so I thought the snake could easily have moved off,” he said. “But I also know that if a snake is comfortable somewhere, where it has warmth and food without being disturbed, it usually won’t move far. These mambas had been seen around the property for about a week.”

As he began lifting the heavy metal sheets, Ramsurran heard the unmistakable rustling that confirmed his suspicions.

Rescue took an unexpected turn

However, the rescue took an unexpected turn moments later.

“After I caught the first one, I heard another loud shuffle. That’s when I realised there were actually two mambas. That was definitely exciting and something I’ll never forget. I absolutely love mambas,” he said.

The snakes measured 2.1m and 2.2m respectively. Ramsurran believes they were a male and female, as the catch coincided with the black mamba mating season.

Although the rescue was completed without incident, Ramsurran said the operation was fraught with uncertainty.

“The capture itself wasn’t too challenging but lifting each IBR sheet without knowing exactly where the snake was, or which direction it would bolt once exposed, definitely kept me on edge,” he said.

Adding to the tension, Ramsurran realised too late that he had left his large snake bucket behind, leaving him with only a small bucket and a pillowcase to transport the reptiles safely. Fortunately, with the help of a friend, both snakes were securely bagged before being relocated to a suitable habitat away from homes.

Looking back, Ramsurran ranks the rescue among the highlights of his career.

“It has to be in my top three favourite call-outs. It’s not every day you get the chance to safely capture and relocate two mambas from the same property.”

Overcoming snake phobias

One of the most rewarding moments, he added, was seeing the homeowners overcome their fear by touching one of the mambas while he held it. He also thanked his mentor, Dean Boswell, for recommending him for the call-out.

Ramsurran urged residents never to attempt to catch or kill snakes themselves.

“If you come across any snake, keep a safe distance and call a professional snake rescuer if the snake needs to be removed. Never try to handle it yourself.”

He added that mambas are not naturally aggressive. Like any wild animal, they simply want to escape to a place where they feel safe. Most bites happen when people try to catch, kill or corner them.

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