Durban South Snake Rescue made its first python catch after it was called out to uMdloti, northern eThekwini, on Friday night for a python on the beach.

Durban South Snake Rescue’s Grant Cavanagh described it as a strange call for them. He said a woman from uMdloti, Debbie, called them at about 10.10pm on Friday asking if they caught snakes in uMdloti.

“I was a bit hesitant as we don’t normally go out to uMdloti, as it is a little bit far from Queensburgh. So, in good stead, I asked her what type of snake she thought they had in the area,” Cavanagh said.

“And she said there was a python on the beach.”

Cavanagh said he was a bit dumbfounded because it was not the usual place to find a python. This particular python was near the tidepool.

“So I immediately said we would get there as soon as we can,” Cavanagh said.

He said that in true Land Rover fashion, the vehicle decided to take a break for the night but he made a quick call to his future son-in-law Travis to have him pick him up. In no time, Cavanagh’s son Cameron, Travis and he headed for uMdloti.

Cavanagh said he called and assured Debbie they were on their way as she had Marshall Security monitoring the snake on the beach for them.

“When we arrived at the beach, they flashed their spotlight to show us where they were,” Cavanagh said.

“The car hadn’t even stopped and I already hit the ground running.

“Negotiating a pretty dodgy bank down onto the beach I got to the spot where the snake was on the sand. From there it was an easy catch as the python was ice cold.”

Grant Cavanagh with the python. | Durban South Snake Rescue

“I’m so grateful that I got to rescue this reptile as they are a protected species and the last one we went out to rescue was killed and sold for muti (medicine),” Cavanagh continued.

“We hydrated the python and it has been safely released in an undisclosed location far away from humans.”

Cavanagh said this was the first python catch at Durban South Snake Rescue but not his first.

“I would just like to give a big thank you to Marshall Security, Debbie, the fishermen who notified Marshall Security of the snake on the beach and the curious onlookers who took photos of the python and the community of uMdloti for being so nature-conscious,” Cavanagh said.

He urged the public not to hesitate in calling or sending them a WhatsApp message.

“We can advise, identify, or come out and to catch and remove snakes and release them in a safe place,” Cavanagh said.

“Remember they were here long before we built houses and they are the best natural pest control and realistically Africa belongs to the wildlife.”

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