The season of Spring has certainly ushered in a rejuvenated mood among many residents, who have started packing away their woolies, as flowers start to blossom and the morning dew at sunrise welcomes all those who have once again started their early walks, just as the sun rises.
However, as it gets warmer, so do parasites (yes, even thugs) and even snakes come out from hibernation, which they were in during the winter months.
Over the past weeks, just in the Laudium/ Erasmia area, the Laudium Sun has received at least five reports of snakes being spotted at local homes. Amesh Ramjee, known locally as the ‘snake catcher’, detailed three incidents of snake sightings, where he was called to the scene to assist in capturing and removing the scary reptiles into a safer environment.
Amesh told the Laudium Sun, “Recently, while assisting at the water point in Erasmia during the water crisis, my brother Arunesh, received a call from his friend, stating that they had found a snake at their Bart Joubert Street yard, in Erasmia. My brother alerted me as he was on his way to Johannesburg. I rushed to the scene, although I did not have any equipment with me. I was then informed that the residents of the house managed to trap the snake under a bucket and that the domestic worker had her foot on top of the bucket, to ensure that the snake did not escape. I slowly lifted the bucket up, but only slightly, so that I could try and identify the snake, before lifting the bucket up too much. I realised that it was a harmless spotted bush snake. I was lucky, as if it was anything venomous, I would have needed to get my equipment from home, to safely remove the snake without being harmed. I then lifted the bucket and grabbed the snake from its mid body towards the tail area and secured it in my hands. I then drove quickly to the nearby river along the R55 and released it on to the nature reserve side, as due to rules and regulations of catching and releasing, we have been informed that all snakes captured need to be released within a 5 to 10km radius of where they have been caught. However, I do not release venomous snakes near residential areas and take them out either to the Rietvlei, Groenkloof or the Dinokeng nature reserve, with the assistance of rangers working at the Rooihuiskraal terrain snake park”.
Amesh added, “Then, a few days later, whilst at home, I received a call from a colleague of mine informing me that his dad had spotted a snake inside the cupboard of one of the bedrooms, at his Lime Street home, in Laudium. This time I at least had my equipment with me. I slowly opened each drawer to check for the snake, but it was not spotted. I then removed the items from the drawers and even removed the drawers out of the unit, but could still not spot the snake. We even moved the whole unit, to see if it was perhaps behind, as snakes tend to move off as quickly as possible when disturbed. Eventually the snake, which I also identified as a spotted bush snake, which is non-venomous, was found under the bed, but then it quickly moved behind the headboard. I managed to catch it, as it was trapped in a corner and safely removed it from the property, placing it into a secure snake tube and then releasing it at a nearby reserve”.
Last Monday, Amesh was once again called to Erasmia, this time at a home on Senorita Street. “When I received a call for assistance, I immediately rushed to the scene. Upon arrival, I noticed one of the residents pinning the snake down, by holding it against the corner of a wall with a broom. I informed him not to place too much pressure with the broom on the snake, as it could be harmed. Upon going closer, I realised that it was also a spotted bush snake, so I did not worry too much. I didn’t even take my equipment out as I’m used to handling non-venomous snake with my hands. After holding the snake, I realised that it was injured on its lower tail area, which I will try to aid before releasing it back into the wild.”
Nazia Gani, of Bart Joubert Street, Erasmia, where Amesh caught one of the snakes said, people should be careful during this season of snakes and keep their doors and windows closed.
Lime Street resident, Zahraa Mala, told the Laudium Sun, “I was not at home that weekend, but I was told about the snake which my dad Zaahid spotted in the bedroom. It was so traumatising for the family, as they were in complete shock and could not understand how a snake got into the drawer. Thankfully, although my dad was terrified after opening the drawer and finding a snake inside, he did not act irrationally or out of fear, or try to attack the snake, but he called for professional help.”
*Amesh can be contacted at 082 343 5869, should you have a snake problem.
