Thrilling tug-of-war between Durban rescuer and venomous Mozambique spitting cobra
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Durban — It was a game of tug-of-war between Durban snake rescuer Nick Evans and a Mozambique spitting cobra at a quarry near Chesterville recently.
Evans said he knew it was a spitting cobra without a description of the snake because that species was all he was called out to at the quarry.
He said he had been going to the area for years and did several snake awareness and safety talks for the staff, which paid off many times.
Evans said the cobra had found the perfect winter hideout ‒ a berm, composed of mostly dumped rocks, stones and sand. It had a tunnel under one of the larger rocks.
“As I dug away, on my first visit there, it was a massive network of tunnels,” Evans said.
So, great for safety for the snake, plus the afternoon sun shone on it, and in winter, that is perfect conditions for a basking cobra, explained Evans.
He said, however, the problem was all the trucks parked against the berm. Truck drivers were nervous about getting out and seeing the snake. They were probably worried it might enter the truck one day.
“Fair concerns, so I waited till it was out basking, for a second attempt. That happened on Sunday afternoon,” Evans said.
“I rushed towards the snake, which was basking in the excavation I had made. I quickly grabbed it with my African Snakebite Institute tongs, but it had already managed to hook around some stones, and some fell on it.”
Evans said luckily none of the stones were heavy enough to cause damage.
“Now, the snake was curled up, and I couldn’t let go, nor could I see the tail.
“The cobra took full advantage of this situation and absolutely showered me with venom. All over my face, arms and later, I noticed the front of my shirt had crystallised venom on it. Fortunately, I had safety glasses on, so it didn't get in where it counts,” Evans said.
He said it was time for a face shield or visor.
He added that venom did not hurt anywhere else except the eyes.
“Eventually, the snake unravelled, with its head going down a hole. I managed to grab the tail with my hand and tried pulling it out. But it had already shot down deep enough to hook its head-end around a rock. The start of the most frustrating catch I can ever recall… I had to dig for this snake, moving stones and rocks. The cobra just went deeper and deeper, despite me holding onto the tail,” Evans explained.
“I had to be so careful with which rock I moved. Move the wrong one, and a dangerous ‘landslide’ would crush the cobra.
“Well, I ended up having many of these ‘landslides’, as I moved rocks. I was so worried about the snake, and I was trying to keep the heavy stuff off the snake using my tongs, arm, or an iron rod I was handed. I was mostly successful.”
Evans said the process continued for over an hour. Dig, move rocks, clear collapsed rubble, and gently try and pull the cobra out. Nothing was working.
“I was on this berm with all my weight on my left leg, which I was kneeling. It was getting so numb. I had the bitter taste of venom in my mouth. I was getting irritable. The staff gave me a bottle of water to rinse my mouth with, which I did while the cobra felt somewhat stuck,” Evans continued.
“Honestly, yet not proudly, I have never cursed or sworn at a snake in a situation like I did this one. It was just a nightmare!
“Eventually, after endless digging, I got the cobra out, with the help of one of the staff. A nice big cobra, but it had a concerning injury near the spine, towards the tail. I felt horrible, thinking it was me. I was relieved to see no obvious signs of broken ribs etc, due to falling stones and rocks.”
Evans said veterinarian Dr Carla Goede inspected the small, round wound. First, she needed to clean the large amount of dirt and dust out. She noticed old scarring below the wound, joining it.
“It seems like the injury was already there, I just perhaps re-opened it during the rescue,” Evans said.
He said there were a few more of these scars on its body. Goede also noticed skin damage, but not from the rubble. Damage appears to have been caused by chemical burns.
Evans further explained that the cobra has had either one or a few horrible interactions with humans. It has been hit, with what he guessed is a slasher, and had something sprayed or thrown on it ‒ some chemical in a bucket.
“No wonder it spat continuously at me!” Evans exclaimed.
“I do not believe it was anyone at the quarry, as they are well-educated about snakes, and management is strict about snake safety. I presume these were all inflicted at one of the surrounding communities.”
Evans added that the snake’s wound was treated with F10 Products Manufacturer Page cream and is receiving antibiotics.
He also thanked everyone involved in helping the cobra.
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