It’s a green mamba hat-trick

SNAKE activity has increased along the South Coast due to the extremely hot weather currently being experienced.

On Friday afternoon last week, James Wittstock and Martin Rodrigues of Crocworld Conservation Centre literally went to great heights to retrieve a green mamba from a branch overhanging the busy Gum Tree Road in Pennington.

The green mamba is a relatively thick snake that is emerald green in colour, has a light green belly, is mostly found in trees or shrubs and reaches an average length of 1,8m.

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It has venom which causes damage to the nerves.

After a bite, the victim will have difficulty in breathing and this can lead to suffocation.

The team noticed that the snake was precariously positioned, curled on a branch 14 metres off the ground.

With the assistance of the Umkomaas Fire Department, they got an extendable ladder in position and secured to a branch a little distance from the snake.

Using a grab stick, Martin was able to get hold of the snake which he then passed to James, who necked it safely while on the ladder.

“This was probably one of my most memorable snake removals,” said Martin.

“Our legs were like jelly at such a height but we are very grateful to the fire department for their assistance.”

This was the third mamba caught in just a week.

On the same day as the Pennington catch, a green mamba was found hiding in a paw-paw tree in Amahlongwa and one was caught recently in the Scottburgh area.

Crocworld Conservation Centre offers free identification and removal of snakes in the Scottburgh, Umkomaas, Pennington and Park Rynie areas.

For more information or assistance, call 039-9761103, Martin at 078-4841859 or James at 066-292 0880.

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