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Warm weather means the snakes are out

Snake catcher Sarel van der Merwe has been busy.

Summer hasn’t even begun, and snake catcher Sarel van der Merwe is already busy, busy!

Last night he received a phone call regarding a black mamba in a kitchen in the foothills of Gamalakhe.

Sarel van der Merwe catching the black mamba.

“I told the family to close the house and get out immediately and go stay with their neighbours,” he said.

Early the next morning, Sarel drove all the way to Gamalakhe to catch the snake, which he found hiding inside the house, behind the fridge.

Illovo Umzimkulu Sugar Mill.
Most recently, Sarel received a phone call from Illovo Umzimkulu Sugar Mill in the Port Shepstone area following reports that a green mamba had been sighted in the bush surrounding the working area of the property.
 
 
Sarel van der Merwe retrieving the snake.
“I was asked to capture and safely remove and relocate the snake. Please note that this snake was chased off a couple of times off the property into the bush and for the safety of the people I had to relocate the snake,” he said.
 
 

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shonaaylward

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.
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