Latest news with #Mambas
IOL News
08-05-2025
- General
- IOL News
Durban snake catcher retrieves sixth Black Mamba from Westville home
Nick Evans poses with the fifth/sixth Black Mamba. Image: Supplied A Durban snake-catcher got more than he bargained for when he went to a Westville home this week. Nick Evans is a well-known snake rescuer in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) and has seen so much, but was not prepared for what he would see. Evans said he previously caught a Black Mamba under the solar panel from a house in Westville, and since then, he caught two more. Another colleague of his in this industry also caught one. That is four Black Mambas from one roof. On Wednesday, Evans was called back to the same house. 'I couldn't believe it when the homeowner's number popped up twice on my phone. Both Mambas were found by the guys replacing the ceiling boards. They heard the Mambas moving on top of the plastic, beneath the tiles- a Mamba's favourite spot in a roof,' Evans said. This brings the total Black Mambas caught at this house to six. 'I managed to pull the two impressive specimens out through holes in the plastic. The second one was a beast. Both were males, but he (number six) was the biggest,' Evans said. Nick Evans snake rescuer poses with one of the two snakes retrieved in Westville. Image: Supplied Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ He told IOL that Black Mambas are common in the Westville area and as well as many parts of Durban that has valleys and bushes. 'You would ask why so many in one roof? The house borders a nature reserve and the house had many trees growing over and against the roof, providing easy access for the mambas. So keep branches of trees cut away from roofs, but there's no need to chop down the oxygen-supplying plant; it won't deter snakes if you do,' Evans said. He went further, stating there was a healthy dassie/hyrax population living inside the ceiling for many years, as there were mini mountains of their faeces throughout the roof. 'So the strong smell of them would have attracted mambas, which feed on the young ones. It would not surprise me if rats tried living in there, but I saw no signs of them. With mambas around, they wouldn't last long,' Evans said. He said another reason for the large number of Black Mambas in the roof could be mating season, as these particular snakes do not live in groups. He said his colleague caught a 2.6-metre female, and she could have attracted males to the area. 'The recent chill in the air has sparked off mating season for mambas, which breed through the winter months. With the pheromones she'd give off, she may have attracted one or two males, but one of the other six was a young female, who may have left her scent trail.
Daily Mail
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Fury as LA mural dedicated to Kobe Bryant and daughter Gigi is vandalized
Vandals have sparked fury in Los Angeles after a mural paying tribute to basketball legend Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gigi was defaced. Shocking before and after footage shared to Instagram by @Kobemural showed the striking mural had been ruined by the senseless act. In a GoFundMe set up to pay for repairs, it was noted that the mural was painted as a special collaboration with the NFL for Superbowl LVI. 'The beautiful Kobe & Gigi mural that has brought inspiration and unity to so many,' the fundraiser said. 'The Kobe & Gigi mural holds a special place in our hearts, symbolizing strength, legacy, and love.' The mural had shown Bryant in his LA Lakers jersey kissing his daughter Gigi as she held a basketball, with the words 'Mambas Forever' painted to the side. Shoddy graffiti now covers the father and daughter after vandals spray painted large white letters over the colorful mural. Social media reacted with fury after the vandalism was discovered, with one X user branding the perpetrator a 'piece of s***' who is 'the definition of rotten souls.' The mural is one of several that are dotted around Los Angeles, many of which were designed after the longtime Lakers player died in a helicopter crash with Gigi in January 2020 Others said on social media that the vandalism stunt was 'stupid' and was disappointing to see given Kobe's place in California's sporting history. 'Wow that's disrespectful,' one said. Another user questioned: 'Who would do something like this?' The mural is one of several that are dotted around Los Angeles, many of which were designed after the longtime Lakers player died in a helicopter crash with Gigi in January 2020. Seven others were killed when the helicopter crashed in the Calabasas hills. Gianna, known as Gigi, was just 13 years old when she was killed alongside her father and all seven others on board the helicopter, which crashed in the Calabasas hills. They were: John Altobelli, 56; Keri Altobelli, 46; Alyssa Altobelli,13; Christina Mauser, 38, Sarah Chester; Payton Chester; and pilot Ara Zobayan, 50 It was later revealed that Zobayan was warned he was 'too low' as he flew through thick fog moments before slamming into the side of the hills. They had flown from John Wayne Airport near Kobe's home in Newport Beach and were on their way to Thousand Oaks to Bryant's Mamba Basketball Academy when they crashed. January 2025 marked the five-year anniversary of the tragedy, as figures from across the sports and entertainment worlds paid tribute to Kobe and his daughter. 'I think the world actually stood still for a moment,' Elissa Grabow, a former assistant of Kobe's, said on the CNN documentary 'Kobe: The Making of a Legend,' via People. 'I cried all day, all night,' added former NBA star Tracy McGrady. 'I couldn't believe it... not Kobe... not Kobe.' A public memorial service for Kobe and Gianna was held eloquently on February 24, with the date marking Kobe's iconic shirt number. 'Kobe had a very, very, very special relationship with my kids,' said sports journalist Scoop Jackson. 'The thing that got me, that was hardest for me, was telling them. Yeah, I've done some hard s*** in my life but that was one of the most difficult ones.' WNBA legend Sheryl Swoopes 'immediately thought of Vanessa' upon hearing the news. 'Because as a parent, and as a wife, but as a parent, you never think you're going to lose your child,' Swoopes added.
CAF
20-03-2025
- Sport
- CAF
Mozambique edge Uganda to take Group G lead in World Cup qualifiers
Published: Thursday, 20 March 2025 Mozambique moved to the top of Group G in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers with a commanding 3-1 victory over Uganda at the Cairo Stadium on Thursday. A dominant first-half display saw the Mambas secure all three points as Pepo netted twice before turning provider for Stanley Ratifo's late goal just before half-time. Uganda's Muhammad Shaban had briefly restored parity early on, but the Cranes were left with an uphill battle after Denis Omedi's red card before the break. The result moves Mozambique to 12 points, three ahead of Algeria, who face Botswana on Friday and need a win to keep pace in the group. Uganda, meanwhile, remains in third place with Botswana and Guinea, all tied on six points. Pepo shines as Mozambique take control Mozambique wasted little time in asserting their dominance, opening the scoring in just the fourth minute through Pepo, who capitalized on defensive hesitation to slot home. However, Uganda responded swiftly, with Shaban equalizing in the seventh minute after a well-placed shot inside the box. The Mambas, however, continued to dictate the tempo and were back in front by the 17th minute. A mistake from Uganda's goalkeeper allowed Pepo to pounce on a loose ball and bag his second of the match, further strengthening Mozambique's hold on the game. Things went from bad to worse for Uganda as Omedi received two yellow cards in the space of five minutes (34', 39'), reducing his team to ten men. Pepo Santos of Mozambique celebrates goal Mozambique seized the opportunity, and in first-half stoppage time, Pepo turned provider, setting up Ratifo to make it 3-1 at the break. A second-half stalemate sees Mozambique home Despite their numerical advantage, Mozambique was unable to extend their lead after the interval. Uganda, to their credit, tightened up defensively and managed to keep the Mambas at bay. However, with a two-goal cushion, Mozambique had done enough to claim victory and take pole position in Group G. Algeria now faces added pressure ahead of their clash with Botswana, knowing that anything less than three points will leave Mozambique in sole control of the group ahead of their crucial showdown on Matchday 6.
CAF
29-01-2025
- Sport
- CAF
Mozambique coach Chiquinho Conde: 'We are ready to prove ourselves'
Published: Wednesday, 29 January 2025 Mozambique head coach Chiquinho Conde has issued a rallying cry to his team after the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025 draw placed them in a tough group. The Mambas were down to play in Group F alongside defending champions Côte d'Ivoire, five-time winners Cameroon, and a strong Gabon side. Speaking after the draw in Rabat, Conde acknowledged the tough challenge ahead but insisted that Mozambique would not be in Morocco just to make up the numbers. Mozambique's qualification for AFCON 2025 marks their fifth appearance at the continental showpiece, and Conde believes their presence in Morocco is proof of the team's progress. 'Being among the 24 best African nations is a testament to our merit,' Conde said. 'Everything we've accomplished up to this point gives us courage and motivation to raise our ambitions even higher.' Mozambique, who last played at AFCON 2023 after a 13-year absence, are determined to surpass their previous tournament performances, having never progressed beyond the group stage. Conde also revealed that Côte d'Ivoire's captain Serge Aurier failed to mention Mozambique while discussing Group F opponents, which he believes will serve as extra motivation for his players. 'It was interesting to note that during the interview with Côte d'Ivoire's captain, he mentioned several teams and key players from the group but completely overlooked Mozambique, dismissing us entirely,' Conde said. 'That could work in our favour. We will use this as fuel to inspire the players and draw positive energy so that we can prove ourselves on December 24, in our opening game against Côte d'Ivoire.' Mozambique will face the Elephants in Marrakech, a crucial first game that could define their tournament campaign. Despite being ranked as underdogs in Group F, Conde emphasized that his team thrives when underestimated. 'We've fought tirelessly to achieve things where people least expect them,' he said. 'That's our fight; that's our mission. We want to do better.' Mozambique will also come up against Cameroon, a five-time AFCON winner, and Gabon, a team boasting top European-based players, making Group F one of the tournament's most competitive. Conde, however, remains confident. 'The first match is always the most important. So, let's go, Mambas! Together, we'll make it happen!' With a determined squad and a point to prove, Mozambique will be aiming to shock the continent and reach the knockout rounds for the first time in their history.
