WATCH: Snake catcher releases African Rock Python in Mtunzini

FOR Mtunzini snake catcher Jaco Dercksen chasing down serpents in Zululand is mostly an everyday activity.

But coming face-to-face with a giant puff adder certainly puts his senses on high alert.

Last week he was called to action by the Mtunzini police when an elderly resident, who fell asleep on the living room couch, awoke at 1am to find the two-metre reptile next to her feet.

Upon arrival Dercksen realised he was dealing with one of the biggest and most venomous snakes in South Africa.

‘This was by far one the biggest puff adders I have ever seen. Needless to say if you are bitten by such a monster you will need medical attention within minutes. From experience I can almost guarantee that a victim will lose a limb if bitten by this guy as the venom is cytotoxic and you can get gangrene from it,’ he said.

In a separate incident, Dercksen on Tuesday stumbled across an African Rock Python, an endangered species, at the estate he lives on in Mtunzini.

‘It’s good to see there are still young rock pythons breeding in the area. We would like to emphasise that people should never kill snakes.

‘If they take a photo and send it to me I will identify it. If venomous, I will gladly remove it for them,’ said Dercksen .

The python was released near the uMlalazi nature reserve in Mtunzini.

‘I want to thank Dercksen for his work. It’s unusual that people make the effort to save wildlife around here, especially in the rural areas.

‘I also encourage people not to kill any snakes they come across. Rather contact the authorities to have it removed,’ said uMlalazi Conservation Manager Trueman Buthelezi.