While the rest of the country’s school-goers were eagerly attending their first classes of 2020 with schools re-opening on Wednesday, 15 January Olwasini Junior Primary School pupils had their holidays extended for a few extra days after a black mamba had taken residence in a classroom.
Herpetologists from Crocworld Conservation Centre were called out to rescue the school’s newest classmate, assisted by SAPS members, but the snake’s chosen hiding spot made for a challenging rescue, with learners only returning to class on Friday, 17 January.
“The snake was hiding in the actual brickwork near the ceiling, inside the wall. It would be spotted but we couldn’t find the hole it was getting in through. On Friday, the school staff saw it and were able to keep an eye on it while we were called to attend,” said Crocworld manager, Martin Rodrigues.
The delicate retrieval of the snake meant that the Crocworld members had to break through part of the wall without harming the snake. However, once access was finally made, the snake rescue was fairly straight-forward.
READ ALSO: Amanzimtoti’s Ilanda Wilds to receive some attention
Mpume Mvubu, the principal, said staff saw the two-metre black mamba on the roof of the school: “We called the police and Crocworld Conservation Centre to rescue us. On the third day, they broke the wall, and the snake was hiding deep inside. I’ve never experienced this. It was a crisis for the school – this is a fast snake and very dangerous. I thank Crocworld for their help, we will call them again if there is another snake.”
Crocworld Conservation Centre offers a free service of identifying and removing snakes for the communities of Scottburgh, Umkomaas, Pennington and Park Rynie. For more information or assistance, call the centre on 039-976-1103, Martin on 078-484-1859 or James Wittstock on 066-292-0880.
DID YOU KNOW?
Click on the words highlighted in red to read more on this and related topics.
To receive news links via WhatsApp or Telegram, send an invite to 061 694 6047
The South Coast Sun is also on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest – why not join us there?
Do you have more information pertaining to this story?
Feel free to let us know by commenting on our Facebook page or you can contact our newsroom on 031 903 2341 and speak to a journalist.
To receive our free newsletter click here
(Comments posted on this issue may be used for publication in the Sun)
