Montclair family left in shock after 2.3 metre long black mamba found in roof
Nick Evans, the founder of the KwaZulu-Natal Amphibian and Reptile Conservation, said residents are urged not try to capture, but most importantly, not to kill a snake.
NOT even a 2,3 metre-long black mamba falling through the roof of an outhouse, stopped Nhlanhla Zikhali, 25, from getting a good night’s sleep.
He even took time to photograph the unwelcome visitor before he called for assistance.
His uncle, Mpilo Mthiyane, from Montclair, however, did not share his bravery and refused to go have a look. “I saw the photograph and that was enough to keep me from going into the house. It did not look like a harmless garden snake we find in the yard, and the body was thicker,” he said.
Snake rescuer, Nick Evans, said after he received a call from Warren Dick about a snake that was hanging from the ceiling in a bathroom, pressed against the wall, at 21:30 on November 20, he rushed to the family’s aid, but it was not an easy removal, since the snake decided to play hide and seek.
“Fortunately, the family did not mind that we had to punch holes in the ceiling to find the intruder. They said that as long as the snake is gone, we could remove the whole ceiling if we had too,” said Evans.
Evans said they searched until about 01:00, but had to eventually abandon the rescue mission as the snake was nowhere to be seen. “We returned the following day and managed to find the slithery serpent perched on a center beam in the roof.
“As soon as the mamba started moving, I managed to grab hold of its tail. Warren handed me his tong, and once the mamba’s head was visible, I grabbed it. Despite it being frustrating at times, it was a lot of fun,” he said.
He said the mamba, which weighed one kilogram, has since been released away from the residential homes.
Evans, the founder of the KwaZulu-Natal Amphibian and Reptile Conservation, said residents are urged not try to capture, but most importantly, not to kill a snake.
“Leave them alone, as you will puts yourself at a high risk of being bitten. Snakes are not a threat as long as you leave them alone. They will only strike if they are threatened. If you need it removed, phone a professional,” he said.
For assistance you can contact Evans on 072 809 5806.
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