Snake catcher responds to surge in mamba sightings
Snake season in full swing – mambas removed from homes, mine and SPCA.
Snake catcher Sarel van der Merwe has had an exceptionally busy few days, responding to a string of dangerous call-outs across the South Coast – including multiple mambas and a boomslang, some in unusual locations.
Most recently, a baby green mamba was safely removed from the mine in Umzumbe. Later that same afternoon, a black mamba was caught in Uvongo, found moving between a house and the garden.
Last week, a female boomslang caused a stir after making herself comfortable at a guest house in Umzumbe. Sarel joked, she did this, without a booking. Female boomslangs are typically duller in colour, ranging from olive-brown to grey, while males usually display brighter green to black colouring with distinctive black-edged scales.
Then, Thursday, January 22 proved to be particularly eventful. The day began with the removal of a black mamba that was in the process of shedding after it was discovered in a woman’s bathroom at the cleansing depot in Margate. Assistance was provided by the Ray Nkonyeni Municipality’s Fire Department, who supplied a stepladder to safely access the snake.
Not long after, another call came in from the Lower South Coast SPCA. Manager and Inspector Mike Davis, reported a green mamba inside one of the kennels. Remarkably, both incidents occurred in the same street on the same day.
Sarel said residents are reminded that snake activity typically increases during the warmer months and that snakes should never be approached or handled.
He urged the community to contact him if a snake is spotted, to ensure the safety of both people and wildlife.
Contact Sarel on 082 6831604.
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