Durban snake rescuer Nick Evans and veterinarian Dr Carla Goede made a U-turn following a call to rescue a black mamba while on their way to treat a monitor lizard which survived a dog attack.
Evans said both he and Goede were on their way to treat a monitor lizard, which survived a dog attack, last Wednesday when he got a call about a black mamba located in a garage in Westville.
âWe soon arrived at the property, and Carla and I started our search. It was a neat, well-packed garage, thankfully, but it still provided the mamba with multiple hiding spots,â Evans said.
He said the homeowner had reversed his Toyota Hilux immediately after the mamba entered the garage, worrying the snake would go under his bakkie. Despite that, he suggested it could be in there.
âI thought it was certainly possible, but the garage seemed the more appealing option to the mamba,â Evans said.
He said that while he and Goede checked every hiding spot, the homeowner brought up his bakkie again, suggesting, again, that the black mamba could be in there.
âI wasnât convinced, but I thought Iâd check seeing as we were having no luck,â Evans said.
âAs I opened the bonnet, there was a portion of the body of a thick, well-fed and large black mamba! Relaxing on the back of the engine compartment, thankfully.
âI had gotten a fright, muttered a phrase that shouldnât be typed out, and called Carla nervously yet as calmly as possible âCarla⊠tongs⊠quicklyâŠâ, Evans said.
He said they may have had a long evening ahead if the mamba went down into the engine.
âCarla grabbed a hold of the mambaâs body with her tongs, while I ran to my bakkie to grab my tongs,â Evans said.
He said they both worked together in unravelling and pulling the mamba out of the engine compartment.
âAt one point I eventually had the tail in my hand, and we worked our tongs along towards the head,â Evans recalled. âSoon, we had the neck secured with the tongs, and Carla moved to secure the head with her hand.â
âIt was a hefty snake, at least 2.5m long. Itâs the girth of it thatâs impressive, likely well-fed on young dassies.â
Evans said it was an exciting afternoon for them and Goedeâs biggest mamba catch to date.
He added that the photograph of the snake did not do it justice.
âThe homeownerâs gut feeling about it being in his Hilux was right. Thank you to them for calling!â
Evans added that the monitor lizard also received treatment.
WhatsApp your views on this story at 071 485 7995.
Daily News