Seen any snakes? Report it

Neville Wolmarans, snake catcher and owner of Ndlondlo Reptile Park, is appealing for the public to assist in the gathering of information to calculate snake encounter statistics on the Dolphin Coast.

All you need to do is report all snake encounters and sightings, either dead or alive, and snake bites.

The targeted area for data capturing is from La Mercy all the way to Darnall beginning from August 15, until April 15 next year (summer).

When making a report, a description of the snake, a photograph if possible and the location must be included.

“Our aim is to better understand and manage our environment. This will help us determine snake populations. It will also help us educate people by helping them to realise how many encounters there are without incidents. There so is no need to fear snakes.

That said, Wolmarans urges people to avoid confrontation with snakes, because “the more you interact with them the more you are at risk of being bitten”.

Researchers from surrounding areas will pool their information with ours so we can see how the snake population differs from area to area and to determine what causes these differences,” said Wolmarans. Anyone who has a snake encounter or sighting can report it on the Facebook page called ‘Dolphin Coast Snake Stats’ or via SMS or Whatsapp to Neville on 082 561 4969 or Helen on 079 453 3557.

Follow the North Coast Courier on Twitter, Facebook and BBM: 2A24E31A.