Last night snake catcher Sarel van der Merwe got a call from the Myan Moodley, general manager of the Wild Coast Sun Hotel and CasinoResort about a large, non-venomous African rock python which had been spotted next to the entrance.
According to Wikipedia, African rock pythons usually weigh around 44 to 55 kg.
Sarel in action.
“It was wasn’t moving very fast as the grass was cold, but the moment it picks up you want to catch it, it moves like a rocket. But I acted quickly and carefully forked him with my grab sticks so he didn’t strike at me,” said Sarel.
Sonja Stroud, the Wild Coast Sun’s environmental manager, said the African rock python is an endangered species as they are killed for their skins.
We have a healthy eco-system at the estate, and it is home to wildlife such vervet monkeys, duiker, rock daisies and even otter. The python was released onto the estate which is 690 hectares in size and we have a fantastic bio-diversity land management plan to protect the bio-diversity on the property.
All in a day’s work for Sarel.
Sonja added that they host workshops with the community and look out for incidents involving hunting and poaching.
If you need a snake removed please contact Sarel at at 082 6831604.
Sarel with the rock python at the Wild Coast Sun.
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Shona Aylward is a vastly experienced journalist working as a senior reporter. Aside from her extensive community involvement and story writing, she is also involved in creative page layout, and the various media platforms. Shona began her career with Caxton at the Southlands Sun. Previous to this she worked in the marketing industry for surf magazines. Shona is a renown 'greenie' and champions environmental causes. She is also Mom to a number of dogs and cats, and the occasional uninvited snake. When she can find some spare time, it's usually to the beach that she heads.
