KWAZULU-NATAL. – ’n Groot luislang is die naweek tydens ’n visvangkompetisie naby Durban uit die see gered nadat dit sowat 2,5 km van die kus af opgemerk is.
Volgens slangvanger en reptielkenner Nick Evans het Dwayne Boshoff en sy pa iets groot in die water opgemerk terwyl hulle aan die kompetisie deelgeneem het. Dit was ’n luislang blyk te wees. Die slang is op hul boot gebring en veilig gehou in die ruimte waar vis gewoonlik geberg word, totdat hulle nader aan die wal kon kom. Reptielkundiges was met ‘n houer gereed op die strand en is in ‘n redding enig in sy soort deur die water na die boot en weer deur die branders terug strand toe met die slang. Dit is later met vars water afgespoel en in ’n houer geplaas om te herstel. Volgens kenners is die luislang, wat meer as 2,5 meter lank is, in ’n goeie toestand.
Die slang sal verder gemonitor word voordat dit weer in ’n geskikte gebied vrygelaat word. Hoe die luislang in die see beland het, is nog nie duidelik nie.
Lees die vertelling van Nick Evans hier onder:
THE STORY BEHIND THE PYTHON RESCUE IN THE OCEAN!
Many of you would have seen the video of the brave fisherman who rescued a python out of the ocean on the weekend, during a massive fishing competition. There’s been a fair bit of questions so I thought I’d put the facts out there, with the permission from those involved.
On Saturday, while competing in a fishing competition, Dwayne Boshoff and his dad came across something large floating in the water. To their disbelief, and everyone who saw the video, it was a Southern African Python! This was about 2.5km out at sea, in line with the Durban beachfront (by the harbour). The father and son team didn’t hesitate, and hurried into action. Mr. Boshoff got the boat close enough, while Dwayne, who is not a seasoned snake-catcher, brilliantly scooped the snake out of the water, securing the sharp end and supporting the body. A very impressive capture in a difficult situation! They were not going to let the python die out there. They hadn’t exactly planned to catch a python, so without a snake bucket, they put it in one of the hatched of the boat, which I believe is normally used for captured fish. Dwayne’s brother, a friend of mine, Dean ( Reptile Party Time – where parties come alive ), called me, asking what should his brother do in this bizarre situation he now found himself in. I told him we’ll meet him when he comes back to shore.
The afternoon came, and the Boshoff boat came riding towards shore. However, due to its design, it wasn’t made for being brought ashore at this particular point. So, it was parked a bit away from the beach, meaning Carla and I had to go for a walk through the waves to get the snake 
This was a first for us. We started walking in with Dwayne and Dean, while every wave seemed to enjoy hitting us. I was wearing my GoPro HERO from GoPro South Africa, putting it to the test in the ocean for the first time. I’ll put out a video of all of this soon. We thought we were going about waste deep. We went a lot deeper than that! Finally, we were pulled onto the boat by Mr.Boshoff, and drove out to calmer waters (not far away).
Dwayne opened the hatch for us, and Carla reached in and grabbed the head, while I helped control the tail-end, making sure it wasn’t aimed at anyone The python is a minimum of 2.5m, probably more actually, and is a male. In good condition too. Dwayne swam with our python box, so we put it in there. Now it was time to swim back. Yes, this was not a normal rescue! We jumped in the water, which initially we couldn’t touch the bottom with our feet, so we were swimming, while pulling along the floating box containing the python. What an entertaining sight it must have been! Eventually, we could feel the ground, and walked the rest of the way, with a few waves saying goodbye to us from the ocean. A crowd was waiting for us on the beach. A small one considering the size of the competition. The beach was full of 4×4’s and boats, it was incredible.
We let people see the snake, put it in its box, and off we went. Worried about it being in salt water for a long time (we presume), we washed it down with freshwater, before putting it in a large enclosure with a huge bowl of freshwater. I don’t believe it drank much, if any salt water. I think it kept it’s head afloat. It will be monitored carefully and released soon.
How did it get out to sea? There’s no definitive answer, just theories:
1) It was well hidden in one of the dozens upon dozens of boats there. Fishermen came from all over the country for this competition. It may have caught a lift down, and snuck out for a swim when no one was looking. Although I think it would be difficult for the python not to be seen.
2) It swam down/across a river, on the north coast, ended up in the sea, and the current took it south.
Unfortunately we’ll never know. Thank you so much to Dwayne and Mr.Boshoff for what they did for this snake. It was a true act of bravery and kindness. Thanks also to Dean for contacting us and being involved on the day. It was an experience to remember for us!
~Nick Evans
072 809 5806
nickevanskzn@gmail.com
