Westville resident, Nick Evans known as the ‘Snake Rescuer’ said his love for reptiles started when he child watched the late Steve Irwin, the ‘Crocodile Hunter’, an Australian Zoo keeper, wild life expert and conservationist whom he found very enthusiastic and loved what he did before he died from a stingray injury in September 2004. Evans said he started his career as hobby catching snakes in his in Sherwood home, where he grew up. Renowned for the risky work he does The Springfield Weekly Gazette invited Evans for an on the couch session just to know more about him and the passion he has for rescuing snakes.
Springfield Weekly Gazette (SWG): To what extent did you see yourself as the next Steve Irwin?
Nick Evans (NE): “I really wanted to be like him, and started catching snakes in the garden, or in my grandparents’ garden. We even put adverts for snake removals in the school newsletter, and after school my mom would drive me to homes to catch snakes. I didn’t get many calls, but I loved each one I did get.
SWG: How long have you been rescuing snakes for?
NE: I started doing snake removals full-time in February 2015.
SWG: Which is the busiest time of the year for you?
NE: Summer, although I’m busy all year round. In the winter months, it’s mamba mating season, and on warm days, there’s other species out as well. Summer is the busiest, especially when we experience warm, humid nights. I can be on calls day and night.
SWG: Besides handling snakes and rescuing them, what other job do you do?
NE: I do educational talks at schools, for companies and events. I feel it is an extremely important part of my job. People fear snakes and others hate them and this is because they hardly know anything about them. I love research, and I am busy doing research on Black Mambas and Southern African Pythons and a few other things. We’ve recently finished filming a second season of my television show, Snake Season, which will air on the People’s Weather Channel on DSTV and Open View. The first season, which first aired last spring, was a great success, and we’re hoping this one will be too. I also record a podcast which is available on the East Coast Radio’s website. I record it while on rescue calls. I love writing as well, and write a lot on my Facebook page, and occasionally articles for newspapers, magazines and websites.
SWG: Is it only snakes or do you deal with other reptiles?
NE: I am often called to catch Nile Monitor Lizards, people refer to them as iguanas, uXamu in isiZulu or Leguaan in Afrikaans.
I’ve even been called to catch a few crocodiles. KZN is wild! I also do chameleon surveys occasionally, and spend some free time looking for reptiles.
SWG: Which are the most dangerous snakes you have had to deal with?
NE: Personally, I don’t like the word dangerous, as it makes the snakes out to be aggressive. Snakes aren’t aggressive at all. They’ll do everything they can to get away. If and when threatened and an escape is not an option, then they will bite, and yes, some have dangerous bites. The snake with the most dangerous bite in Durban would be the Black Mamba, which has a fairly fast-acting, neurotoxic venom. Most people survive if they get to hospital within an hour, sometimes longer. I get many calls for them, and they’re actually my favourite snakes.
SWG: Do you have snakes pets?
NE: I do, but only because of my talks. I find showing people snakes helps them identify them easier, but it can also help in overcoming fear.
SWG: What do you do with the snakes you rescue or are called out for, once you remove them?
NE: Some people think I sell them, or weirdly kill them but, I do neither. The snakes I rescue are released into wild areas. Snakes form an important part of the food chain, helping to maintain a healthy environment, which we need.
SWG: For safety, what precautions do you take before dealing with a snake?
NE: Not much really, I just concentrate!
SWG: Which other country have you travelled to out of S.A?
NE: I’ve never been out of South Africa. Well, I went a few kilometers into Lesotho, but does that really count? Not in my opinion.
SWG: Which country do you still wish to travel to and why?
NE: There’s so many. I would love to explore many African countries, but Australia and Madagascar are my top two dream destinations. Reptile-rich countries, with so many other animals I wish to see.
SWG: What advice would you give to the general public on snake-handling?
NE: Number-one rule with snake safety: Leave it alone! Do not try to catch them, do not try to kill them. Snakes are terrified of us, and just want to get away from us, just want us to leave them alone. If we don’t, and they feel like their life is in danger, they will bite.
Snakes do not hunt and attack people. They are very misunderstood animals.
SWG: After a hectic day how do you unwind?
NE: I enjoy relaxing and watching Netflix with my wife, as well as reading.
Choose one:
• Beach, Safari or Desert?
NE: Safari
• Whisky, wine or cocktails?
NE: I do not drink alcohol, for personal reasons. Alcohol and catching snakes don’t go well together.
• Reading or music?
NE: Reading
• Children or pets?
NE: Both, although my wife and I don’t have kids yet, we will want them when we can afford them. We just have a dog, who is basically our daughter. I rescued her as a tiny pup off the side of the road while looking for a snake in Inanda. She’s now a fit, beautiful and healthy Africanis, named Grace.
