One of the Helderberg’s most notorious snake catchers received a stark reminder on the dangers of his job last week when a full-grown adult male puff adder sunk it’s teeth, and venom, into the handler’s hand during a routine rescue.
Rico Pentz was rushed to hospital to be stabilised before anti-venom could be administered, and a few days later was discharged and is now recuperating at home – although he is not yet out of the danger zone.
“My hand is still extremely swollen and I continue to take lots of medication daily,” he said, “but I’m starting to feel better and am very hopeful of making a full recovery within a month.”
Pentz added he appreciated all the well wishes from the community.
The incident occurred last Tuesday (2 May) during a routine call-out after at least three snakes were spotted at a home in Stellenbosch.
“It’s a bit out of my area, but I responded anyway,” Pentz said. “When I got to the scene I saw two male puff adders embroiled in a fight, and a female close by.”
He said that as always he approached cautiously with his gear, bent down to secure one of the snakes, and as he turned around he felt a sharp, burning sensation.
“I dropped the snake and took off my gloves, and saw two puncture wounds and instant swelling. I knew I had just been bitten.”
Without hesitating Pentz quickly put the gloves back on, caught the three snakes, put them into a container in his vehicle and drove himself to the Mediclinic hospital.
“I know from experience that time is of the essence. As soon as I was stabilised I was transferred to Helderberg Hospital, as this was where anti-venom was to be administered to me. There were moments I felt dizzy and nauseous, but the most difficult to contend with was the excruciating pain.”
This was the second such experience for Pentz. Almost three and a half years ago he suffered his first bite – also that of a puff adder.
“It doesn’t get easier,” he said. “If anything, it gets more painful.” He also insists he was lucky to survive the tale. There were moments in hospital that Pentz was at severe risk of cardiac arrest and shock, but expert nurses were well prepared and monitored him throughout. He mentions all sorts of bodily pains, including that of his lower back and kidneys, a fever and constant sweating.
“It’s also the same hand that had been bitten the last time, just less than 1 cm apart. This time, though, a fear ran through me, unlike the last time. It was impossible for me to stay calm and also serves as a reminder as to how dangerous this work can be.”
However, Pentz remains committed to his passion of rescuing any type of animal, no matter how dangerous.
“The snake was just being a snake,” he pointed out.
“It was aggressive after fighting the other male, and that’s why it expressed anger. It was just defending itself.”
Pentz will now take some time to heal, continue his course of medication and monitor his injury to prevent a secondary infection, after which he hopes to be back on the road.
“This won’t stop me from pursuing my passion – rescuing animals in need. This is my life’s passion, and hopefully this is the last such experience.”
Pentz’s business, Helderberg Wildlife Rescue, will still continue serving the community. To get in touch he can be contacted on 074 560 0711.
