An outpouring of love, compassion and heartbreak resonated throughout the Helderberg this week following news of the untimely death of Rico Pentz, a beloved snake catcher and animal-protection ambassador who became a household name and friend to many.
The 39-year-old local was bitten by a Cape Cobra last Wednesday (17 January) in Strand and was rushed to Mediclinic Vergelegen in Somerset West where he was administered anti-venom and transferred to high care. By Friday he was transferred to Tygerberg Hospital. According to his mum, Rosa Steenkamp, Rico appeared to be okay and was communicating with her as well as his wife, Eva.
“We visited him in hospital on Thursday and Friday,” his mother, Rosa, said holding tears back. “On Sunday we got a call that he had taken a bad turn and was rushed to hospital. Later that day he sadly passed away.
She said his wife, Eva, was devastated and unable to speak to the media.
Pentz survived two previous snake bites, the most recent in 2022, when he was bitten by a puff adder. At the time he was rushed to hospital and administered anti-venom, which at the time saved his life. (“Rescuer survives second bite”, DistrictMail & Helderberg Gazette, 16 May 2022).
Rosa said the impact her son had on the community was visible from the outpouring of love on social media, where dozens of posts on Facebook groups paid tribute to “a legend, a fierce animal lover” and one of the most experienced snake catchers around. “We haven’t made any funeral arrangements yet as Rico had no funeral policy, so we are still trying to figure things out.” She added a memorial service would be held for Rico in the coming week.
“I’ll post all the details on Rico’s Facebook page so the community can pay tribute to him. We’ll miss him dearly, and this is a very difficult time for the family, especially Eva, who can’t live without him and is absolutely distraught.”
