IN AN astonishing turn of events, a Durban snake catcher has found himself at the centre of a mystery involving a colossal 3.5 metre python spotted near the M19 close to New Germany.
Nick Evans, known for his expertise in handling reptiles, was called out by the eThekwini Municipality when a passerby reported the sighting of the unexpected serpent on an island between the off-ramp to Otto Volek Road and the M19.
When Evans received the call, he initially expressed confidence that the snake was not a python as they are not usually found in areas like New Germany.
“I told the caller there were no pythons there. It would be a black mamba. There was probably a python population in the vicinity many decades ago, but they have since been wiped out. There was no way a python would have been living in the area, as there are no green areas apart from the small New Germany Nature Reserve. The reserve is not known for having mambas,” he added.
Evans said on Thursday, he followed those who spotted the snake to the area they had seen it.
“When we arrived, I got out of my car, armed with my tongs, and ready to catch the mamba. When they pointed out the snake, I was shocked. It was a giant python.
“I put my tongs back and walked into the bush, slowly approaching the beast of a snake. I walked right up to it and thought it would be an easy catch. But as I was about to grab its head, it exploded into action.
“It did not attack me like in the movie Anaconda. It went in the opposite direction into a thicker bush. I knew I had to catch the snake because it had no future in that area. I grabbed the tail, but as the python urinated in my hands, it started to slip out of my grip.”
A municipal worker helped Evans capture the snake.
“A worker named Joseph came to my assistance. He grabbed the tail end just as I was losing it. Together, we pulled and I could feel us winning the tug-of-war. Eventually, the wrestling match was over. I would not have caught the python if it was not for Joseph’s help.”
Evans said it was a mystery how the python could have made its way to New Germany.
“I do not believe it is an escaped pet. Southern African Pythons are a protected species, and illegal to keep. They make terrible pets as they do not calm down. Sometimes pythons are kept illegally in cruel conditions, not as pets, but such snakes usually have injuries on their snouts from attempting to escape.
“It could not have come from the nearby nature reserve, as there is no python population there. It would not have caught a lift in a light motor vehicle, like other snakes do, because it is too big. It could have gotten into a truck somewhere, and been carried to the New Germany area.”
Evans released the snake in an undisclosed location today.
THE POST
