Nick Evans’ show Snake Season slithers onto TV

DURBAN ‘snake man’ Nick Evans’ passion for snakes and conservation will be showcased in a TV series which starts on DSTV this month.

The much-anticipated Snake Season is a new riveting series of live-snake capture, rescue, and release, featuring this celebrated and charmingly cool-headed snake expert, and begins on People’sWeather (Channel 180) on Monday, 7 September at 6pm.

ALSO READ: Green Mamba surprises snake man in urban Berea

This is a high-energy show, as “freaked-out” folk discover snakes in their homes or gardens. While often in precarious situations, it’s “all in a day’s work” for Evans, with great entertainment for the viewer as he provides fascinating insights, (and, yes, with the occasional jump-scare) into the important role that snakes play in the eco-system.

Evans’ clear love of reptiles shines through as he calmly goes about his work, providing practical and educational information about the purpose of the snakes, and their importance to life in, not only in conservation or rural areas, but in urban areas too.

Now a household name in the country, Evans, who runs KwaZulu-Natal Amphibian and Reptile Conservation, has worked with reptiles from an early age, after being inspired by the late Steve Irwin (The Crocodile Hunter).

ALSO READ: WATCH: Recovered mamba returns to the wild

He worked as a herpetologist for Dangerous Creatures at Durban’s uShaka Marine World, as a field officer for the Endangered Wildlife Trust’s Threatened Amphibian Programme, and in his spare time, he travels South Africa searching for and photographing wildlife.

Durban producer Julie Laurenz of Pillay Laurenz Media, said she had been speaking to a colleague and bemoaning the fact that there was no real platform for conservation shows on South African wildlife in the country.

“I was told to meet up with CEO of People’sWeather Stephan Le Roux the next time I was in Johannesburg, which I did. He asked if I knew Nick and of course I said I had heard of ‘the snake guy’. He told me to meet up with Nick and have a talk about creating a show, which I did, and Nick was keen to do it.”

A winning combination makes for good viewing

Julie said Nick had filmed so much of his own footage on a Go Pro that he attaches to his head during snake rescues, and he had an amazing archive.

“Nick and cameraman Tyrone Marcus also went out and came back with some good stuff! What is very important about the show is yes, it’s about snake catching, but it is also about conservation. It is very authentic, it’s just Nick, and exactly what Nick wanted,” said Julie.

ALSO READ: Durban a prime location for study of urban snake behaviour

Speaking about the series, Nick said: “I have loved doing this series. Rescuing snakes is my passion! I know not everyone loves snakes as I do, but I’ve always wanted to help people better understand these misunderstood creatures. The team has managed to capture the excitement, frustrations, challenges, and fun that I have doing something that I believe truly makes a difference to the world. As humans, we have a duty to conserve our world for future generations, and I hope that viewers will get this through entertainment. I’m really proud of what we’ve accomplished so far!”

Nick said he loved working with Tyrone, who he got on very well with.

Tyrone has become a character in the show.

“He is a proper Durban guy, he is funny, is always in a vest and is a real snake guy. We have a good laugh!” he said.

Nick said people would relate to the show as it shows areas local people know, and will enjoy the different characters that have emerged, like Tyrone.

“There is Rob the mechanic in Westville, who is terrified of snakes, Herpetologist Cormac Price, an Irishman who helps with research, and doesn’t need to try to be funny, he just is,” he said.

Julie said: “Nick charges in when most of us would bolt for the hills! His excitement when catching snakes and his enthusiasm for sharing what he knows is captivating and enthralling. I have learned the many wonders of snakes through working with him, and I know viewers are going to love this season.”

There are eight episodes (repeated four times a day), starting on 7 September, and episodes will also be shown on DSTV Catch Up. Julie said they hoped to start shooting the second series around December.

“I’m nervous, but also excited about the show being broadcast on Monday, but I have seen the first episode, and am very pleased with the result,” said Nick.  

Caxton Local Media Covid-19 reporting

Dear reader, As your local news provider, we have the duty of keeping you factually informed on Covid-19 developments. As you may have noticed, mis- and disinformation (also known as “fake news”) is circulating online. Caxton Local Media is determined to filter through the masses of information doing the rounds and to separate truth from untruth in order to keep you adequately informed. Local newsrooms follow a strict pre-publication fact-checking protocol. A national task team has been established to assist in bringing you credible news reports on Covid-19. Readers with any comments or queries may contact National Group Editor Irma Green (irma@caxton.co.za) or Legal Adviser Helene Eloff (helene@caxton.co.za). At the time of going to press, the contents of this feature mirrored South Africa’s lockdown regulations.   

Do you want to receive news alerts via Telegram? Send us a message (not an sms) with your name and surname to 060 532 5535. You can also join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

PLEASE NOTE: If you have signed up for our news alerts you need to save the Berea Mail Telegram number as a contact to your phone, otherwise you will not receive our alerts Here’s where you can download Telegram on Android or Apple