2m black mamba made itself at home in classroom

The 2m black mamba that delayed the start of the school year at Olwasini Junior Primary on the South Coast by three days, in the grip of Crocworld’s conservation manager Martin Rodrigues, left, and reptile curator James Wittstock. Picture: SUpplied

The 2m black mamba that delayed the start of the school year at Olwasini Junior Primary on the South Coast by three days, in the grip of Crocworld’s conservation manager Martin Rodrigues, left, and reptile curator James Wittstock. Picture: SUpplied

Published Jan 18, 2020

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Durban - School started on Friday rather than on Wednesday at Olwasini Junior Primary School on the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast after a three-day effort to catch a 2m black mamba that had made itself at home in a classroom.

“We called the police and Crocworld Conservation Centre to rescue us,” said principal Mpume Mvubu.

“On the third day, they broke the wall and the snake was hiding deep inside. I’ve never experienced this. It was a crisis for the school - this is a fast snake and very dangerous.”

Crocworld conservation manager Martin Rodrigues said the snake had been hiding in the brickwork inside the wall near the ceiling.

“Because of the danger posed by black mambas, the pupils were kept away from class for the duration of the snake capture, finally able to get started with the year’s studies yesterday (on Friday),” said Crocworld.

Rodrigues said that the snake was about to shed its skin and would be fed before being released into a secure location, away from human habitation.

Independent on Saturday

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