AFTER a three-week Black Mamba ‘drought’, local snake catcher, Nick Evans, was called out to a property in Carrington Heights to retrieve a 1.3m Black Mamba.
Both Evans and Andrew Dorning arrived at the home and were directed to a thick cluster of trees.
The young reptile had moved and was now spread out on a palm leaf in an adjacent property.
Leaving Dorning behind to keep an eye on the snake, Evans made his way to the neighbour’s yard.
“There were excitable dogs in both properties, but the owners did the best thing and locked them away until the mamba was gone,” said a grateful Evans.
“The mamba was a few metres up on the palm leaf and still on the move.”
He asked for a ladder but, when Evans saw it move again, he made the decision to instead climb the tree.
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He was able to grab the Black Mamba’s tail with his tongs and called for Dorning to retrieve a second set of tongs from his vehicle.
Evans described the situation as tense.
“I pulled it closer to me to secure it with my hand, but it was just out of reach. Fortunately, Andrew could reach it with his tongs and was able to grip the snake’s body as I released the head,” said Evans.
While making his way down the tree, Evans lost his footing and landed on a staircase.
With adrenaline pumping, he ignored the pain and quickly pinned the Black Mamba’s head down.
Caxton Local Media Covid-19 reporting
