KOUGA – Following the recent floods in the Kouga region, snakes and other animals have been affected.
According to Emma-Lisa Steyn, animal health technician at Oribi Animal Clinic, the floodwater carried snakes out during the flooding.
She said they believed that puff adders were swept out of the Kabeljous River, which was in full flood as it flowed into the sea.
Steyn said that the strong currents and stormy conditions unfortunately proved fatal for the snakes.
“All the snakes I found were already dead and had been dead for more than a day at least,” said Steyn.
She said the snakes were not killed by people but by the impact of the flood.
“On the beach, I also saw a dead octopus, and received a photo of a vervet monkey, so there was a lot of wildlife that was affected by the flood,” said Steyn.
She explained that the snakes would have come down in the river, been pushed out to sea and then pushed back again by the currents at the Kabeljous Lagoon.
Mark Marshall, environmental consultant, snake specialist and founder of Sandula Conservation, said large amounts of debris had been washed onto beaches and accumulated at river mouths due to the recent rains.
“Snakes unfortunately get displaced when it floods and often hitch a lift on the debris and also get washed up on our beaches and river mouths,” said Marshall.
“These snakes are often exhausted and injured, therefore they can be quite defensive when approached,” said Marshall.
He advised that people be careful when walking through washed-up debris as they might come across a snake.
Marshall said that searches in the Gamtoos area uncovered three puff adders, one cross-marked sand snake, several lizards and an angulate tortoise.
He further said that no snakes were found near the Kromme River, but unfortunately Jeffreys Bay had many casualties.
“The Kabeljous River flowed so strongly, carrying a lot of debris. The snakes could not survive this and succumbed to their injuries. Many puff adders and two olive snakes were found dead, and this total is expected to rise as more dead snakes are washed up on the beach,” said Marshall.
He urged residents not to pick up dead snakes.
“Please don’t pick up the dead snakes because even though they are dead, accidents still happen. Rather call a snake catcher,” said Marshall.
He further thanked the public for reporting snake sightings, as well as the snake catchers who went out and spent a lot of time rescuing and retrieving the snakes.
Steyn also warned that venomous snakes could still be dangerous after death.
“The puff adders still have venom in their fangs. If you see any puff adders that are not moving, put a stick upright in the ground nearby and contact me to collect them,” said Steyn.
“I’m concerned that children or dogs could mistake it for a rope and pick it up. Even after washing ashore, the snake can still envenomate, its fangs may still pierce the skin and release venom.”
Steyn said she was disposing of the snakes through an animal crematorium.
“By disposing of the animals through an animal crematorium, I am ensuring that they are out of our area and no one gets hurt accidentally,” said Steyn.
For more information or to request the collection of a snake across Jeffreys Bay, contact Oribi Animal Clinic at 042 293 1320.
Additionally, contact Mark Marshall at 082 261 9280.
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