Hardap man calls for snake park
Hardap snake catcher Nicholas Eksteen (71) is calling for a snake park to teach pupils and community members about different snake species, a push he has made since 2014.
He believes the facility would give children an opportunity to learn about snakes without having to travel long distances to access snake parks.
“I grew up with snakes,” he says, explaining that his years of experience have taught him about the different types of snakes found in the region.
The snake catcher says he often removes snakes from people’s homes, releasing them in nature to prevent them from being harmed.
His experience has also helped in cases where people have been bitten by snakes.
Eksteen says hospital staff sometimes contact him to help identify the type of snake responsible for a bite.
Rehoboth snake catcher Mario Guterres (63) says he has been advocating for a snake park at the town for about 30 years.
He says such a facility could help educate the public while attracting tourists to the town.
Guterres says establishing a snake park would, however, require careful planning, including securing suitable land, building permanent facilities and developing a long-term plan for its operation.
He says he caught three snakes on Monday alone and has also been called to help with snake-related incidents elsewhere. He recalls catching a black mamba on the roof of a school hostel at Keetmanshoop.
Guterres says snakes are more active during certain times of the year, particularly October, January and March.
He says doctors sometimes contact him to help identify snakes involved in snakebite cases, which helps determine the appropriate treatment.
According to Guterres, zebra snakes are among the species commonly encountered in the area, particularly in rural communities around Rehoboth and the wider Hardap region.
Rehoboth community leader William van Wyk, the co-founder of the Block A Neighbourhood Watch, supports the proposed snake park, saying it could educate residents about the snakes commonly found at the town.
“It’s a good thing because it’s good education for us in the community, because there are snakes here,” he says.
Van Wyk says a large, venomous boomslang was caught at the town on Monday, adding that residents need to understand the dangers posed by snakes and how to respond when they encounter them.
“It would also be a great educational opportunity for children. The main thing is to educate our people,” he says.
Rehoboth resident Theo Janwoski (75), who has lived at the town all his life, says a snake park could benefit both the community and tourism.
“Every animal on this earth is here for a reason, including snakes,” he says.
Jankowski says establishing the park would require funding, but would also serve as a tourist attraction.
“Not much is happening at the town, so this could be a good opportunity to attract tourists and give them something to visit,” he says.
Eksteen says he has struggled to secure support from regional leaders to establish a snake park.
“There’s no one here to help me,” he says, adding that local leaders have told him there is no money available for the proposed facility.
The office of Rehoboth’s mayor did not provide comment by the time of going to print yesterday.
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