Dami’s Exotics is on quest to help people and animals understand each other

The Midrand Circles Market does it like no other. On 25 January, the Glen Austin-based market hosted Dami’s Exotics, a non-profit organisation that educates people about reptiles and helps them overcome their fears of them.

Founder of the NPO Damian van Dyk showcased 25 different animals to the visitors on the day while also educating them about the animals.

Van Dyk explained that his love for animals began at a young age. “Growing up, I had a few encounters with brown house snakes but at the time neither myself nor my parents had any knowledge of which ones were harmful or not.

“I then started doing volunteer work for the Pretoria Zoo and, since then, my passion for reptiles grew. By that time, my parents were obviously still against reptiles because they feared them due to what they had been told of them, stating that if you come across a snake you should kill it.”

Today Van Dyk cares for the reptiles and, as part of doing so, he showcases them at birthday parties and functions to educate people about them.

It has been five months since he opened Dami’s Exotics. “This year, I made it a goal to reach out to as many schools as I possibly can to teach the new generations about the impact we have had on reptiles and the environment and how it will affect both us and animals.

“I would also like to teach everyone about safety, should they ever run into a snake and what to do should they get bitten by a venomous snake.”

Dami concluded that if someone startles a snake, the chance of being bitten is very rare unless they corner the snake or try and hurt it. “Just like any other animal, if you corner a snake they will defend themselves from a predator because to them, it’s life or death.

“In all my experiences with venomous snakes, especially cobras and mambas, if you back away a few metres they will happily be on their way. A lot of people tend to forget that animals are more afraid of humans than we are of them, and a snake will only ever try to defend themselves. Should you ever come across a dangerous snake, rather call an expert to remove it safely rather than place yourself in harm’s way.”

Details: www.facebook.com/Damis-Exotics-101706918046493.

Related article:

https://www.citizen.co.za/midrand-reporter/228273/shop-local-markets-enjoy-crafty-atmosphere/