Python on the M19: Dramatic rescue scares South Africans
Initially sceptical about the reported species, Evans was surprised upon arrival to find a 3.3 to 3.5-metre-long python basking in the sun – a rare sight in this urban area.
'I didn't expect to find a python here. It's not typical of the area,' Evans said.
What followed was a dramatic rescue.
As Evans cautiously approached, the powerful snake sprang into action, forcing him to grab it by the tail to prevent it from disappearing into the bush.
With the assistance of his colleague Joseph, the duo managed to restrain the snake safely.
Evans suspects the python did not come from the nearby New Germany Nature Reserve, speculating that it may have hitched a ride on a truck and ended up near the highway.
Following the successful rescue, the python was released into a safe, undisclosed location.
Evans expressed gratitude for the swift assistance from the local municipality and emphasised the importance of public cooperation and awareness when it comes to snake sightings.
'This is why trained rescuers are crucial. Without care and experience, situations like this could end tragically – for the snake or people,' he added.
This dramatic rescue not only highlighted the unpredictable nature of wildlife interactions in urban settings, but also served as a reminder of the value of conservation efforts and wildlife education in South Africa.
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1
Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The South African
16 hours ago
- The South African
Stunning sighting of last remaining Knysna elephant
A rare sighting of Oupoot, the last known elephant of the Knysna forest, has sparked excitement and prompted a conservation response. The footage, captured by Karatara farmer Oubaas Fourie late last week, shows the elusive female elephant calmly traversing farmland near the forest. Oupoot is named after the beloved character in Dalene Matthee's novel 'Kringe in 'n Bos.' The video quickly went viral, drawing national attention due to Oupoot's near-mythical status in the region. Knysna elephant Oupoot photographed by farmer Oubaas Fourie SANParks confirmed it is aware of the footage and is working to verify the sighting. 'We are in contact with our rangers in the area to confirm whether it is indeed Oupoot roaming in Karatara, which is highly likely,' said Phokela 'PK' Lebea, SANParks Regional Communications Manager. Oupoot is believed to be the sole surviving member of the once-thriving Knysna elephant population, which declined over decades due to habitat loss, human encroachment, and hunting. The elephants once roamed freely in the forested areas of the Garden Route, but sightings have become extremely rare in recent years. SANParks is currently conducting a comprehensive risk assessment to guide future decisions about the elephant's protection. 'We remain committed to ensuring that any decision taken is informed by sound scientific, conservation, and stakeholder considerations,' Lebea added. Karatara is a town in the Knysna Local Municipality in the Western Cape province. It is situated 5km west of Barrington and some 40km northwest of Knysna. Think the last remaining Knysna elephant is safe or should it be relocated? Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
20 hours ago
- The South African
Term 3: When are the next school holidays?
After nearly a month of school holidays, learners across South Africa are set to return to school tomorrow, 22 July, as Term 3 of the 2025 academic year kicks off. With holidays winding down, families are shifting gears from rest to routine, and many are asking: How long is Term 3, and what should we expect? But also, when are the next school holidays? South Africa's Department of Basic Education has confirmed that Term 3 will run from 22 July to 3 October. That gives learners just over 10 weeks of classroom time, roughly 53 school days, depending on the province and individual school schedules. To put it in context, here's a breakdown of the 2025 public school calendar showcasing when reopen and close again for school holidays: Term 1 : 15 January – 28 March : 15 January – 28 March Term 2 : 8 April – 27 June : 8 April – 27 June Term 3 : 22 July – 3 October : 22 July – 3 October Term 4: 13 October – 10 December This means that the next school holiday will kick off from 3 October until 13 October. Learners will get a short break before the final push of the school year. Term 4 starts on 13 October and wraps up on 10 December, leading straight into the end-of-year, summer holidays. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Citizen
21 hours ago
- The Citizen
Buzz control: New by-law to keep beekeepers in check
Buzz control: New by-law to keep beekeepers in check The metro has approved a revised by-law to regulate the keeping of bees in urban areas. This move is aimed at protecting residents from potentially fatal bee attacks while supporting environmental sustainability. MMC for Environment and Agriculture Management Obakeng Ramabodu announced on July 16 that the updated regulation was necessary to strike a balance between urban beekeeping, public health and safety. 'Bees play a critical role in food security because they pollinate most of our edible plants, fruits, and vegetables,' said Ramabodu. 'However, African honey bees, in particular, can also pose a fatal threat.' He explained that these are known to attack humans and animals if disturbed or agitated, and in severe cases, people allergic to bee stings can die if not treated immediately. The City of Tshwane approves by-law on keeping bees to protect residents against fatal attacks. — City of Tshwane (@CityTshwane) July 16, 2025 Ramabodu noted that as residential areas become denser, people keeping bees on small properties increase health risks for their neighbours. The by-law seeks to address these concerns by controlling where and how beehives can be kept in urban settings. 'Under the new regulations, beekeeping will not be allowed in nature reserves, natural open spaces, agricultural land or any property specifically zoned for beekeeping.' Beekeepers in residential areas will need to comply with stricter guidelines, including relocating swarms that have naturalised in neighbourhoods and become a nuisance, he urged. 'The by-law encourages the use of catch boxes to safely relocate bees that are problematic in residential areas,' said Ramabodu. 'This will help ensure the rights and safety of all residents are protected.' The metro believes the measure is crucial to managing the delicate balance between supporting biodiversity and preventing bee-related incidents. ALSO READ: Centurion teen finds his voice through music Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to [email protected] or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
