Eldorado Park residents killed boa constrictor found in the area
'Do not be a hero. Contact a snake remover.'
About more than two weeks ago, a snake was found dead around the Eldorado Park Extension 8 swimming pool and the video has been circulating over social media causing some fear in residents.
The snake has been identified as a Boa Constrictor which is an exotic animal species not indigenous to South Africa and this snake was a resident’s pet snake, not one just roaming and living off the streets of Eldorado Park.
There is no clear story as to what really happened to the snake but residents that we have spoken to said that boys in the neighbourhood found the snake slithering in extension 8 and killed it then dumped it near the pool area. In the video that has been circulating, it looked as though the snake was stoned to death.
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We interviewed Casey Fortuin who completed courses through the African Snakebite Institute where he did the Advanced Venomous Snake Handling course, Snake Awareness and First Aid for Snake Bites course. He also has a catch and release permit from the Gauteng Department of Agricultural and Rural Development to catch and release snakes.
“Captive snakes will often try to escape from their territory when permitted to do so, and what I mean by that is negligence from the owner (not locking the cage properly). One of the main reasons that snakes will try to escape is due to poorly designed cages and poor living conditions. I always advise people to do research on husbandry before owning a snake as it is different with every species,” said Fortuin.
Instead of killing the snake, Fortuin said that he always advises people to monitor the snake from a safe distance (minimum 5 metres). He shared that a snake will only attack if you provoke it. “Do not be a hero. Contact a snake remover. They have to keep an eye on the snake until a snake remover arrives on the scene. It makes the job more efficient,” he added.
When asked if boa constrictors are slow due to his size, he said that they are not that slow. Fortuin owned three boa constrictors and all of them were nearly 2m in length and they were quite fast. He said that their feeding response was insane.
Fortuin said that the residents who killed the boa constrictor were putting themselves in danger as most people get bitten by snakes when they try to be heroes. “Here in Ennerdale, a lot of young boys approach me with excitement when they catch a snake in the bush. I always shout at them because they do not realize the danger that that put themselves in. Luckily it was only house snakes. Things would have been much worse if it was something venomous such as a Rinkhals. They are quite common in our areas. Snakes should always be observed from a safe distance. Constrictors can cause nasty bites which may require medical attention and stitches,” explained Fortuin.
When you encounter a snake, do the following:
– Observe the snake from a safe distance (5m minimum).
– Contact a local snake remover immediately. Do not wait a few hours/days to contact a remover. Snakes are always on the move and chances are that the snake is gone.
– Give a description as best as possible. This helps us prepare for the job at hand. Description should include colour, size, specific markings or anything else.
– Send photographs of the snake if possible.
– Avoid unnecessary confrontation.
– Keep observing the snake until a remover arrives. It makes the job more efficient.
Fortuin concluded by sharing that some snake removers have regular jobs and time might be very limited when attending a call-out, however if you ever encounter a snake in your area, you can contact Casey Fortuin on 071 480 8086.
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