A 2.8 metre black mamba sighted just north of Scottburgh’s main beach, in front of the Cutty Sark Hotel on Thursday, 8 February must have shocked the teen jogger who stumbled on the discovery at about 6pm.
Owen and Nadi Kuyper, who were going for an evening swim, alerted Crocworld Conservation Centre manager Martin Rodrigues. Rodrigues, who is a highly experienced herpetologist and snake catcher, immediately responded and managed to safely capture the snake, which was released back into its natural environment on Friday, 9 February.
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Rodrigues said the extremely hot weather may have seen the snake approach the seashore in an attempt to cool down or have a drink of salty water. It may have been tired or caught up in the waves. “When I tried to catch the snake, I noticed a lot of water coming out of its mouth so it may have swallowed quite a bit of sea water,” he added.
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Once the snake was safely captured, it was taken back to Crocworld Conservation Centre where it was measured, examined and released back into a safe habitat.
The Kuypers managed to capture footage of the rare incident on their cellphone. This was the first time Rodrigues had seen a black mamba captured on a beach.
While the black mamba is Africa’s most feared snake, it is a vital apex predator which sits at the top of the food chain. The South Coast is renowned for its rich natural biodiversity. The presence of the mamba bears testimony to its wild heritage.
Rodrigues imparted some valuable advice to others who might come upon the snake. “Snakes are in our vicinity most of the time but human encounters with snakes are few and far between,” said Rodrigues. “It is important not to panic if you encounter a snake. Be vigilant and observant of your surroundings,” he advised.
He said most often, people are bitten when they try to catch or kill snakes. “Don’t approach snakes. Keep a safe distance of about five metres, and call your local snake park or a professional snake catcher for assistance,” he said.
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Rodrigues (32 years old), is a well-known and well-respected snake handler on the Mid-South Coast who has come to the rescue of a number of South Coast residents and snakes over the years. Species he has helped to safely remove from potentially negative encounters include vine snakes, stiletto snakes, black mambas, green mambas, boomslang and night adders, to name a few.
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