Impaled Mozambique Spitting Cobra rescued in Mariannridge
The reptile is believed to have spat at the dog on the property.
NICK Evans was called to Mariannridge to retrieve an injured Mozambique Spitting Cobra.
“When I arrived, the homeowner told me he accidentally injured it. He was apologising and I could see he was really upset about what happened,” said Evans.
The homeowner said his dog was barking wildly at a pile of hessian bags and investigated. He first retrieved a rod and prodded at the area, thinking there may be a rat.
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“Then he realised he had just impaled a cobra!” said Evans.
The local snake catcher made his way to the bags and saw the cobra’s tail end and grabbed it.
“It took me a while to find the head end, which popped out of nowhere and spat in my face. Luckily I had my visor on,” said Evans.
With his second tong, Evans was able to pin the cobra’s head down and, when he lifted the tail end out, saw a steel rod sticking out from the snake.
He retrieved the snake and transported it to Dangerous Creatures at Ushaka Sea World.
The veterinary team, Dr. Francois Lampen and veterinary nurse, Marle Jacobs, inspected the wounds and stitched the snake up.
The snake has been placed on a course of anti-biotics and is on the mend.
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