Snake catcher talks about life on the wildlife side

FEW people who live in the Highway area have not heard of snake catcher, Nick Evans.

For some his name conjures up fear because his job involves dealing with deadly snakes including the world’s deadliest, Black Mamba. For others the herpetologist’s expertise are a welcomed relief when they find a snake in their home.

At the age of three, Evans said he was always glued and amazed by the work of Steve Irwin, the Australian zookeeper nicknamed ‘The Crocodile Hunter’.

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Irwin who was a conservationist, television personality, wildlife expert and environmentalist died in 2006, while filming a documentary in Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. He was pierced in the chest by a short-tail stingray.

“I wanted to be like him,” smiled the animal lover.

“To be honest I have never imagined doing anything else. I did not really like school that much, so after school I would go to the Palmiet Nature Reserve. That was my happy place,” he said.

The Westville resident said he enjoyed reading nature books as he wanted to be a game ranger.

A large amount of his work involves tracking pythons, studying their behaviour, as well as studying Black Mambas and looking at all aspects of their ecology.

“I’m interested in all kinds of animals. Before Covid-19, I was a keen bird watcher and would often venture into the night to look for frogs,” he said.

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Although he admitted that he was mostly fascinated by the Black Mambas, Evans said each species has something different and special about them, “It’s one of those feeling that I cannot put into words,” he said.

Asked about his normal day, he said while some days are unpredictable, he normally does talks at various places in the mornings, followed by snake removals as the day gets warmer.

“I also do my research and I always have lots of admin work. I keep the snakes for a few days and then release them,” he said.

Evans said he is slowly winning the fight against the many myths associated with snakes.

“People, different races and cultures have this belief that snakes need to be killed before they kill them. I try to teach people not be afraid of snakes and to stop killing them.

“To try killing a snake is also dangerous, if it retaliates, it can bite you. It is also dangerous for me to rescue an injured snake, I have witnessed scenes where a snake has been doused with boiling water or stabbed, it’s never a pretty sight. It also not fun to try and catch an angry Black Mamba,” said Evans.

The 28-year-old said snakes play an integral role in maintaining balance in the ecosystem.

“In most systems, snakes can be both predator and prey,” he said.

He said anyone who encounters a snake, should move away from it slowly, take a picture of it and send it to him so he can advise what steps to take.

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Evans said his work does come with challenges as he sometimes finds himself in awkward situations.

When he has spare time on his hands, the snake catcher said he tries to relax a bit and walk his dogs. He added that he was looking forward to the winter season as it is the Black Mamba mating season.

“It is always a fascinating sight to find two male Black Mambas looking for a female.”

For snake removals and advice, contact Nick Evans on 072 809 5806 or Nickevanskzn@gmail.com.