It was a combination of team work, guts and determination that led to the arduous rescue of a 23.95kg, 3.3 metre long, South African rock python, a surprisingly rare visitor in the community, who made an appearance at a Clare Estate property, on Saturday night.
Snake rescuer, Nick Evans was ecstatic with the safe capture of the reptile despite the challenges faced but was grateful to have been assisted by members of the Clare Estate Action Committee (CEAC) and residents.
Evans said he was contacted by CEAC head, Vincent Chetty, who has assisted him on mamba call-outs before but this time sighted a rock python.
“The Southern African Python, previously known as the Rock Python (which is technically now the East African subspecies), does not occur in this area, or anywhere nearby. Historically, yes, nearby, in the Palmiet valley, but they’ve since been wiped out.
When I arrived, I found a number of residents from the neighbourhood were on scene. Then, I saw the snake. It was a very large python. The python was in a horrible position for me to catch it in. It was sprawled out over the top of a two metre high, brick wall, under a layer of barbed wire, built in on the wall. It was also lying against a standard wire fence, but right behind that, was another barbed wire fence. An absolute nightmare. I was deeply concerned that the snake was going to tear itself apart during the capture,” said Evans.
He was confronted with many extrication issues and said: “As I was about to attempt this, while standing on a plastic stool, the python struck at my face, although it just hit the barbed wire and reversed back instantly- without injury. It then turned back over its body, and tried getting through the fencing. I grabbed a hold of the body, to try and hold it from getting through. Vincent immediately came up next to me, and grabbed on. Two other bystanders did as well. Unfortunately, I didn’t have time to warn them about the python’s painless but disgusting method of self-defence from the rear, and it squirted a large amount of urine onto my brave helpers.”
Following a tenuous struggle between Evans, his three helpers and the python, and with the use of bolt-cutters, the fence was cut and the reptile was released.
The massive South African Rock Python was taken to Ushaka Marine World by Evans and Chetty where she was assessed by a veterinary team.
Evans said it remained a mystery where the snake arrived from and a possibility was it caught a lift in the undercarriage of a car or truck that was in an area where pythons occur.
“It could possibly be an escaped pet but appeared too grumpy to be a manageable one or it could have escaped from the traditional medicine market. Pythons are highly sought after in the traditional medicine market. Perhaps someone had collected it somewhere, and was going to take it to the market at Warwick Triangle (Durban CBD), but it escaped. Pythons are taken there frequently,” added Evans.
According to Evans, the python is classified as a Threatened or Protected Species (TOPS). It is illegal to kill, catch, transport and keep them.
“Just for me to rescue them, I have to have a permit.The python will be released in an undisclosed game reserve,” he said.
Chetty said: “What a majestic snake and a special memorable catch for the start of winter. This was truly a rare experience. Well done to Nick and the team on the incredible effort to ensure the rescue and safety of the snake.
