ADVERTISEMENT
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Contact
Fri, Jun 6, 2025
No Result
View All Result
NEWSLETTER
I Love South Africa
  • News
    • Lotto
    • The South African
    • Horoscope
    • Weather
    • Animals
    • Offbeat
  • Western Cape
    • All
    • Cape Overberg
    • Cape Town
    • Cape Winelands
    • Garden Route
    • Route 62
    • The Karoo
    • The West Coast
    barrydale western cape

    Top three things to do in Barrydale, Western Cape

    ghost hunting south africa

    Going ghost hunting in SA? Here are seven spooky spots to check out

    arniston western cape

    Top things to do in beautiful Arniston, Western Cape

    greyton

    ‘Pretty Great’: A few things you must do in gorgeous Greyton

    western cape swellendam

    Top things to do in Swellendam, Western Cape

    cape overberg western cape

    The gorgeous Cape Overberg: Five things to do and see

    caledon

    Top three things to do in Caledon, Western Cape

    MSC cruises comic con

    MSC Cruises to launch new Comic Con cruise for 2024

    garden route national park SANParks

    Garden Route National Park welcomes swarms for Parks Week

    Trending Tags

    • Where to eat
    • Where to stay
    • What to do
  • Gauteng
    • All
    • Magaliesberg
    • Pretoria
    ghost hunting south africa

    Going ghost hunting in SA? Here are seven spooky spots to check out

    jacarandas johannesburg

    Five Gauteng spots to see the beautiful Jacarandas in bloom

    time square bowling

    Perfect for the kids: Time Square opens new bowling alley

    pretoria

    Three fun things to do in Pretoria this spring

    Heritage Month

    Heritage Month: Five SA museums you definitely should visit

    cradle of humankind gauteng

    Gauteng’s Cradle of Humankind set to boost tourism economy

    soweto

    Four things you MUST do in Soweto when you visit

    instagram photos

    Five of the most instagrammable spots in Gauteng [PHOTOS]

    mandela day

    Commemorative spots to visit in Johannesburg this Mandela month

    Trending Tags

    • Where to eat
    • Where to stay
    • What to do
  • KwaZulu-Natal
    • All
    • Drakensberg
    • Durban
    • iSimangaliso Wetland Park
    • The Dolphin Coast
    • The South Coast
    • Zululand
    ghost hunting south africa

    Going ghost hunting in SA? Here are seven spooky spots to check out

    MSC cruises comic con

    MSC Cruises to launch new Comic Con cruise for 2024

    halloween 2023 events sa halloween

    Halloween 2023: Spooktacular events to check out in SA

    kzn south coast

    Five things to do on the simply stunning KZN South Coast

    durban events

    Events in Durban: Exciting events happening this weekend

    dolphin coast camping

    Three beautiful camping spots on KZN’s Dolphin Coast to check out

    durban kids

    Five fun holiday activities for the kids in Durban

    Free Durban

    Freebies: Five FREE things to do in dreamy Durban

    durban events

    Events in Durban: Exciting events happening this weekend

    Trending Tags

    • Where to eat
    • Where to stay
    • What to do
  • Eastern Cape
    • All
    • Addo Elephant National Park
    • East London
    • Port Elizabeth / Gqeberha
    • The Wild Coast
    gqeberha

    Check out these five totally FREE things to do in Gqeberha

    Gqeberha hotels

    Where to stay: Affordable hotels in Gqeberha

    eastern cape wild coast

    Three things you must do in the Eastern Cape’s Wild Coast

    Coffee Bay

    Coffee Bay on a budget: Top places to stay

    Three fun things you must do at Addo Elephant National Park

    eastern cape nature reserve

    Three Eastern Cape nature reserves to visit this Free Access Week

    national parks south africa

    Seven SA national parks to visit for free this National Parks Week

    eastern cape nature reserves free access week

    Free Access Week at these Eastern Cape nature reserves

    hogsback eastern cape

    Hogsback, Eastern Cape: Three reasons why you MUST visit

    Trending Tags

    • Where to eat
    • Where to stay
    • What to do
  • Limpopo
    • All
    • Bela-Bela
    • Polokwane
    hoedspruit limpopo

    Top things to do in beautiful Hoedspruit, Limpopo

    heritage south africa

    FIVE spots you MUST visit this Heritage Month

    marakele National park

    Top things to do at Marakele National Park

    mapungubwe national park

    Top things to do at Mapungubwe National Park

    polokwane

    Fun in the city: Three things to do in Polokwane

    south africa weather forecast

    WEATHER: Isolated showers and RAIN expected in KwaZulu-Natal TODAY

    south africa weather forecast

    WEATHER: Very cold conditions with isolated showers and rain expected in these parts of South Africa

    ancient history wildlife south africa

    Favourite SA spots to have a wildlife and ancient history odyssey

    south africa weather forecast

    WEATHER: Disruptive RAIN and flooding expected in these parts of South Africa TODAY

    Trending Tags

    • Where to eat
    • Where to stay
    • What to do
  • Free State
    • All
    • Bloemfontein
    • Welkom
    bloemfontein museums

    Three Bloemfontein museums all culture vultures need to visit

    clarens free state

    Three fun things to do in Clarens, Free State

    heritage south africa

    FIVE spots you MUST visit this Heritage Month

    Heritage Month

    Heritage Month: Five SA museums you definitely should visit

    national parks south africa

    Seven SA national parks to visit for free this National Parks Week

    ruben lion

    Ruben the lion gets a new home in South Africa

    parys

    Top things to do in Parys, Free State

    free state

    Need a Free State winter getaway? Check out these special spots

    south africa weather forecast

    WEATHER: Isolated showers and RAIN expected in KwaZulu-Natal TODAY

    Trending Tags

    • Where to eat
    • Where to stay
    • What to do
  • Mpumalanga
    • All
    • Blyde River Canyon
    • Kruger National Park
    world's best hotels lodge

    South African lodge features on World’s 50 Best Hotels list

    national parks south africa

    Seven SA national parks to visit for free this National Parks Week

    kruger national park wonders

    Kruger National Park named amongst new Wonders Of The World

    blyde river canyon

    Three ways to explore and see Blyde River Canyon

    mpumalanga nature reserve

    Free access to several Mpumalanga nature reserves this September

    national parks week kruger national park

    National Parks Week: Activities for guests at Kruger National Park

    dullstroom mpumlanga

    Four things to do in dreamy Dullstroom, Mpumalanga

    panorama route mpumalanga

    Things you must see along Mpumalanga’s Panorama Route

    If you ever find yourself in beautiful Sabie, Mpumalanga, get your dose of adrenaline with these four awesome adventure activities. Photo: canva

    Four fantastic adventure activities to try in Sabie, Mpumalanga

    Trending Tags

    • Where to eat
    • Where to stay
    • What to do
  • North West
    • All
    • Hartbeesport
    • Madikwe Game Park
    • Pilanesberg
    sun city fire

    Sun City Cabanas back in business after recent fire

    Sun City

    Four fantastic holiday activities for kids to do at Sun City

    north west sun city

    Three things you must do in South Africa’s North West

    hartbeespoort harties

    Activities you MUST do in Hartbeespoort

    sun city solar

    Off-the-grid: Sun City’s new solar power plant

    south africa weather forecast

    WEATHER: Isolated showers and RAIN expected in KwaZulu-Natal TODAY

    south africa weather forecast

    WEATHER: Very cold conditions with isolated showers and rain expected in these parts of South Africa

    south africa weather forecast

    WEATHER: Disruptive RAIN and flooding expected in these parts of South Africa TODAY

    south africa weather forecast

    WEATHER: Damaging winds and waves to hit South Africa TODAY

    Trending Tags

    • Where to eat
    • Where to stay
    • What to do
  • Northern Cape
    • All
    • Augrabies
    • Kalahari
    • Kimberley
    kimberley northern cape

    Kimberley: Five top things to do in this ‘diamond’ of a city

    national parks south africa

    Seven SA national parks to visit for free this National Parks Week

    northern cape town

    Three terrific towns in the Northern Cape you need to visit

    wildflowers south africa

    Seven places to spot wildflowers in bloom in South Africa

    khomani interpretative centre

    New Khomani Interpretative Centre launched at Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park

    flower season namaqualand

    Namaqualand flower season to be spectacular this year

    richtersveld SANParks

    Great rainfall to bring ‘flower paradise’ to Richtersveld this year

    south africa weather forecast

    WEATHER: Isolated showers and RAIN expected in KwaZulu-Natal TODAY

    south africa weather forecast

    WEATHER: Very cold conditions with isolated showers and rain expected in these parts of South Africa

    Trending Tags

    • Where to eat
    • Where to stay
    • What to do
  • News
    • Lotto
    • The South African
    • Horoscope
    • Weather
    • Animals
    • Offbeat
  • Western Cape
    • All
    • Cape Overberg
    • Cape Town
    • Cape Winelands
    • Garden Route
    • Route 62
    • The Karoo
    • The West Coast
    barrydale western cape

    Top three things to do in Barrydale, Western Cape

    ghost hunting south africa

    Going ghost hunting in SA? Here are seven spooky spots to check out

    arniston western cape

    Top things to do in beautiful Arniston, Western Cape

    greyton

    ‘Pretty Great’: A few things you must do in gorgeous Greyton

    western cape swellendam

    Top things to do in Swellendam, Western Cape

    cape overberg western cape

    The gorgeous Cape Overberg: Five things to do and see

    caledon

    Top three things to do in Caledon, Western Cape

    MSC cruises comic con

    MSC Cruises to launch new Comic Con cruise for 2024

    garden route national park SANParks

    Garden Route National Park welcomes swarms for Parks Week

    Trending Tags

    • Where to eat
    • Where to stay
    • What to do
  • Gauteng
    • All
    • Magaliesberg
    • Pretoria
    ghost hunting south africa

    Going ghost hunting in SA? Here are seven spooky spots to check out

    jacarandas johannesburg

    Five Gauteng spots to see the beautiful Jacarandas in bloom

    time square bowling

    Perfect for the kids: Time Square opens new bowling alley

    pretoria

    Three fun things to do in Pretoria this spring

    Heritage Month

    Heritage Month: Five SA museums you definitely should visit

    cradle of humankind gauteng

    Gauteng’s Cradle of Humankind set to boost tourism economy

    soweto

    Four things you MUST do in Soweto when you visit

    instagram photos

    Five of the most instagrammable spots in Gauteng [PHOTOS]

    mandela day

    Commemorative spots to visit in Johannesburg this Mandela month

    Trending Tags

    • Where to eat
    • Where to stay
    • What to do
  • KwaZulu-Natal
    • All
    • Drakensberg
    • Durban
    • iSimangaliso Wetland Park
    • The Dolphin Coast
    • The South Coast
    • Zululand
    ghost hunting south africa

    Going ghost hunting in SA? Here are seven spooky spots to check out

    MSC cruises comic con

    MSC Cruises to launch new Comic Con cruise for 2024

    halloween 2023 events sa halloween

    Halloween 2023: Spooktacular events to check out in SA

    kzn south coast

    Five things to do on the simply stunning KZN South Coast

    durban events

    Events in Durban: Exciting events happening this weekend

    dolphin coast camping

    Three beautiful camping spots on KZN’s Dolphin Coast to check out

    durban kids

    Five fun holiday activities for the kids in Durban

    Free Durban

    Freebies: Five FREE things to do in dreamy Durban

    durban events

    Events in Durban: Exciting events happening this weekend

    Trending Tags

    • Where to eat
    • Where to stay
    • What to do
  • Eastern Cape
    • All
    • Addo Elephant National Park
    • East London
    • Port Elizabeth / Gqeberha
    • The Wild Coast
    gqeberha

    Check out these five totally FREE things to do in Gqeberha

    Gqeberha hotels

    Where to stay: Affordable hotels in Gqeberha

    eastern cape wild coast

    Three things you must do in the Eastern Cape’s Wild Coast

    Coffee Bay

    Coffee Bay on a budget: Top places to stay

    Three fun things you must do at Addo Elephant National Park

    eastern cape nature reserve

    Three Eastern Cape nature reserves to visit this Free Access Week

    national parks south africa

    Seven SA national parks to visit for free this National Parks Week

    eastern cape nature reserves free access week

    Free Access Week at these Eastern Cape nature reserves

    hogsback eastern cape

    Hogsback, Eastern Cape: Three reasons why you MUST visit

    Trending Tags

    • Where to eat
    • Where to stay
    • What to do
  • Limpopo
    • All
    • Bela-Bela
    • Polokwane
    hoedspruit limpopo

    Top things to do in beautiful Hoedspruit, Limpopo

    heritage south africa

    FIVE spots you MUST visit this Heritage Month

    marakele National park

    Top things to do at Marakele National Park

    mapungubwe national park

    Top things to do at Mapungubwe National Park

    polokwane

    Fun in the city: Three things to do in Polokwane

    south africa weather forecast

    WEATHER: Isolated showers and RAIN expected in KwaZulu-Natal TODAY

    south africa weather forecast

    WEATHER: Very cold conditions with isolated showers and rain expected in these parts of South Africa

    ancient history wildlife south africa

    Favourite SA spots to have a wildlife and ancient history odyssey

    south africa weather forecast

    WEATHER: Disruptive RAIN and flooding expected in these parts of South Africa TODAY

    Trending Tags

    • Where to eat
    • Where to stay
    • What to do
  • Free State
    • All
    • Bloemfontein
    • Welkom
    bloemfontein museums

    Three Bloemfontein museums all culture vultures need to visit

    clarens free state

    Three fun things to do in Clarens, Free State

    heritage south africa

    FIVE spots you MUST visit this Heritage Month

    Heritage Month

    Heritage Month: Five SA museums you definitely should visit

    national parks south africa

    Seven SA national parks to visit for free this National Parks Week

    ruben lion

    Ruben the lion gets a new home in South Africa

    parys

    Top things to do in Parys, Free State

    free state

    Need a Free State winter getaway? Check out these special spots

    south africa weather forecast

    WEATHER: Isolated showers and RAIN expected in KwaZulu-Natal TODAY

    Trending Tags

    • Where to eat
    • Where to stay
    • What to do
  • Mpumalanga
    • All
    • Blyde River Canyon
    • Kruger National Park
    world's best hotels lodge

    South African lodge features on World’s 50 Best Hotels list

    national parks south africa

    Seven SA national parks to visit for free this National Parks Week

    kruger national park wonders

    Kruger National Park named amongst new Wonders Of The World

    blyde river canyon

    Three ways to explore and see Blyde River Canyon

    mpumalanga nature reserve

    Free access to several Mpumalanga nature reserves this September

    national parks week kruger national park

    National Parks Week: Activities for guests at Kruger National Park

    dullstroom mpumlanga

    Four things to do in dreamy Dullstroom, Mpumalanga

    panorama route mpumalanga

    Things you must see along Mpumalanga’s Panorama Route

    If you ever find yourself in beautiful Sabie, Mpumalanga, get your dose of adrenaline with these four awesome adventure activities. Photo: canva

    Four fantastic adventure activities to try in Sabie, Mpumalanga

    Trending Tags

    • Where to eat
    • Where to stay
    • What to do
  • North West
    • All
    • Hartbeesport
    • Madikwe Game Park
    • Pilanesberg
    sun city fire

    Sun City Cabanas back in business after recent fire

    Sun City

    Four fantastic holiday activities for kids to do at Sun City

    north west sun city

    Three things you must do in South Africa’s North West

    hartbeespoort harties

    Activities you MUST do in Hartbeespoort

    sun city solar

    Off-the-grid: Sun City’s new solar power plant

    south africa weather forecast

    WEATHER: Isolated showers and RAIN expected in KwaZulu-Natal TODAY

    south africa weather forecast

    WEATHER: Very cold conditions with isolated showers and rain expected in these parts of South Africa

    south africa weather forecast

    WEATHER: Disruptive RAIN and flooding expected in these parts of South Africa TODAY

    south africa weather forecast

    WEATHER: Damaging winds and waves to hit South Africa TODAY

    Trending Tags

    • Where to eat
    • Where to stay
    • What to do
  • Northern Cape
    • All
    • Augrabies
    • Kalahari
    • Kimberley
    kimberley northern cape

    Kimberley: Five top things to do in this ‘diamond’ of a city

    national parks south africa

    Seven SA national parks to visit for free this National Parks Week

    northern cape town

    Three terrific towns in the Northern Cape you need to visit

    wildflowers south africa

    Seven places to spot wildflowers in bloom in South Africa

    khomani interpretative centre

    New Khomani Interpretative Centre launched at Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park

    flower season namaqualand

    Namaqualand flower season to be spectacular this year

    richtersveld SANParks

    Great rainfall to bring ‘flower paradise’ to Richtersveld this year

    south africa weather forecast

    WEATHER: Isolated showers and RAIN expected in KwaZulu-Natal TODAY

    south africa weather forecast

    WEATHER: Very cold conditions with isolated showers and rain expected in these parts of South Africa

    Trending Tags

    • Where to eat
    • Where to stay
    • What to do
I Love South Africa
No Result
View All Result
Home Animals

Snake rescuer catches black mamba in KwaZulu-Natal river – PICTURES

Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Snake rescuer Nick Evans had a quiet week, but has rescued two black mambas in as many days in KwaZulu-Natal.

Black mamba
Snake rescuer Nick Evans had a quiet week, but has rescued two black mambas in as many days in KwaZulu-Natal. Photo: Facebook @nickevanskzn

By: Garrin Lambley

Snake rescuer Nick Evans had a quiet week, but has rescued two black mambas in as many days in KwaZulu-Natal.

PICTURES | Snake rescuer catches FOUR black mambas in one day in Durban

Evans took to his Facebook page on Wednesday to write: The Black Mambas have been pretty quiet my side for the last week or so. Although a call just now made it two in two days.

The call came from an informal settlement in Shallcross, along the Umhlatuzana River. I was told there was a big Black Mamba close to the houses.

Calls like this never fill me with much hope, as often, the mamba disappears before we arrive or proves extremely difficult to catch, often just moving tree to tree. However, I knew something needed to be attempted, so I went for it, pleading with the caller to just watch it till I arrived.

WATCH | ELEPHANT LIVES WITH JUST 3 LEGS

I met the caller on the side of a road, and he led me through the settlement. After a bit of a walk, we got to a clearing, where a small crowd had gathered. It was good to see that many people were watching the snake for me. But I had this horrible sinking feeling as soon as I saw where they pointed to where the snake was.

The crowd pointed to a clump of bush in the middle of the river.

The quality of the water in the Umhlatuzana river is criminally poor, as is the case with pretty much all our rivers. Heavily polluted, a disgrace, it’s hazardous to humans and wildlife. With lots of rubbish dumped down in there as well, I knew this would be unpleasant. And I didn’t have my damn gumboots, just my trusty slops.

ALSO READ: Africa continues to split – new ocean may appear

Snakes empty their bowels on me every day, it doesn’t bother me. Human excrement, I draw the line there. That was far more of a concern, and whatever else may be in the water, than the mamba.

Black mamba could have been killed

Fortunately, as I warily made my way down, I found that I could get to the mamba without stepping in water, and potentially losing a foot.

Unfortunately, I could see the colour of the rocks was not a natural one. But, it had to be done. The mamba stood a good chance of being killed by people here, or entering a home, where further disaster could occur.

The opportunity presented itself to use my new African Snakebite Institute collapsible tongs, which extend from 118cm to 175cm. I reached out and grabbed the mamba, who was too busy enjoying the sun, with those tongs, pulled it closer, and grabbed the neck with my 1.1m tongs. It was actually a pretty easy catch! It was a little cool to the touch, like yesterday’s mamba, which I’ll post about tomorrow, and so it didn’t have a lot of energy. Obviously, it hadn’t been basking for too long. The hardest part was getting out of this thicket with the mamba, and not falling into the sewage-filled river.

WATCH | OWL CATCHES A SNAKE

The community were absolutely delighted to see the 2.2m mamba being taken away, and were extremely grateful. I was grateful to them for not killing it, and especially grateful to the gentleman who called me.

It was a well-fed mamba, most likely living off what I’d imagine there to be an abundance of rats there.

Fun rescue. I just wish the powers that be could sort out our rivers, and get them restored to their former glory, so that wildlife can thrive, and people can benefit from it too.

PICTURES | HONEY BADGER HUNTS TWO SNAKES

Tags: black mambafeaturedImportantKwaZulu-NatalNick Evans
ShareTweet
The South African

The South African

The South African is an independent, impartial, and fact-driven online news platform. Visit TheSouthAfrican.com for all the latest news, sport, entertainment, and lifestyle stories from South Africa and around the world.

Next Post
Cape Town events

What’s on? Exciting events in Cape Town this weekend

ADVERTISEMENT
I Love South Africa

© 2022 TheSouthAfrican

Navigate Site

  • About I Love South Africa
  • Advertise
  • Contact
  • Terms and Conditions

Follow Us

No Result
View All Result
  • News
    • Lotto
    • The South African
    • Horoscope
    • Weather
  • Western Cape
    • Cape Town
      • Camps Bay
      • Bo-Kaap
      • Cape Point
      • Fish Hoek
      • Hout Bay
      • Muizenberg
      • Woodstock
      • Khayelitsha
    • Cape Overberg
      • Greyton
      • Hermanus
    • Cape Winelands
      • Franschhoek
      • Paarl
      • Stellenbosch
    • The West Coast
    • Garden Route
      • George
      • Mossel Bay
    • Route 62
    • The Karoo
  • Gauteng
    • Johannesburg
      • Soweto
      • Sandton
      • Maboneng
    • Magaliesberg
    • Pretoria
    • Sun City
  • KwaZulu-Natal
    • Drakensberg
    • Durban
      • Umhlanga
    • The Dolphin Coast
    • The South Coast
    • Zululand
    • iSimangaliso Wetland Park
  • Eastern Cape
    • Port Elizabeth / Gqeberha
    • East London
    • The Wild Coast
      • Coffee Bay
  • Limpopo
    • Bela-Bela
    • Polokwane
  • Northern Cape
    • Kalahari
    • Kimberley
  • Free State
    • Bloemfontein
      • Clarens
    • Welkom
      • Parys
  • North West
    • Madikwe Game Park
    • Pilanesberg
    • Hartbeesport
    • Blyde River Canyon
    • Kruger National Park
    • Mbombela

© 2022 TheSouthAfrican

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

Processing...
Thank you! Your subscription has been confirmed. You'll hear from us soon.
Subscribe to our newsletter
ErrorHere