In addition to supplying snake venom to local polyvalent snakebite antivenom manufacturer South African Vaccine Producers, Gauteng-based snake venom extractor and supplier African Reptiles & Venom has secured several short-term contracts with various mines and industrial utilities, including State-owned power utility Eskom, to present specialist snake awareness courses – registered with the Field Guides Association of South Africa – to ensure the safety of South Africa’s industrial employees.
The company’s services include a venomous snake handling course, as well as courses in snake identification and snakebite treatment, the latter of which are registered with health research and regulation consortium Witshealth. This enables medical professionals to receive five continuing professional development – or CPD – points when they attend the courses.
Moreover, African Reptiles & Venom conducts site inspections to advise mineworkers and utility labourers on potential snake risks in their area.
The company also supplies snake-handling tongs, snake hooks, snake-holding tubes and snakebite-resistant gloves.
Established in 1999 by founder and 100% shareholder Mike Perry, African Reptiles & Venom has a turnover of R2.5-million a year, contracts currently under way worth a total of R200 000 and fixed assets worth R1.3-million, which include modified shipping containers for breeding mice and housing snakes.
The company’s 1.6 ha property on Plot 94, Mnandi road, just off the R511 highway, in Diepsloot, Gauteng, includes a 300 m2 undercover area, including buildings for training centres and company offices, housing a staff complement of five. Two employees are qualified snake handlers, while the rest are employed to maintain the facility.