‘Python deserves our respect,’ says snake lover
“It’s not every day you are blessed to witness one of South Africa’s legendary phenomena,” says Rouan Snyman of the Letaba Fire Protection Association (LFPA).
“It was just going to be another day at the office, or so I thought,” he told the Herald of how his day turned out last week Thursday, September 30.
“The day started off with me arranging one of the LFPA choppers to assist with a devastating fire around the Modimolle area: Getting the pilots to the office and getting everything ready for a possible dispatch,” he said.
Then suddenly in runs, the first pilot screaming, slang, slang! As a snake lover, I jumped up, called my children and told them to jump in the bakkie. Hearing that it was a South African Rock Python I knew it’s going to be large, but boy, I didn’t expect to see this beauty!”
Rouan says that snakes do not get the respect they deserve. “They have been around for millions of years and the way they function is absolutely mind-blowing. “If you just take some time to get to know them, you will find they are amazing creatures.” He says they arrived at the ‘snake scene’ to see the majestic specimen peacefully moving along minding her own business”.
Also read: Expert gives advice as snake season is upon us
“They only live about 20-30 years, but usually get killed long before this time. Seeing her size, I estimated her a well into her twenties girl,” he said.
“She deserved respect! I knew I had to catch her and relocate her from the growing crowd and close road, knowing her life might be in danger. Being cold that day with a light drizzle, gave me the advantage as this makes her to be more peaceful and to strike slower and less frequent to conserve her energy.”
After a carefully planned catching execution and mesmerised by the sheer size, weight and the fantastic condition she was in, they saw that she had severe burn marks on the last third of her body proving she hadn’t had it easy, but has recovered beautifully.
“We relocated her within the same property but far from roads and into better hiding. Authorities were notified and asked to keep an eye out for her as well. They were very please with our efforts,” he said. “I urge everyone to rather contact snake removers before killing them and to do some self-study on how mesmerising these creatures are. “Fear is a lack of knowledge, therefore so many people are terrified of snakes, scorpions and spiders,” he concluded.
