Eighteen delegates from diversified mining group Exxaro recently attended two Field Guides Association of Southern Africa-approved courses, facilitated by Gauteng-based snake venom extractor and supplier African Reptiles & Venom, at Manketti Lodge, in Limpopo.

The courses included the snake identification and snakebite treatment course, and the venomous snake handling course.

African Reptiles & Venom founder and 100% shareholder Mike Perry explains that while there are not many cases of snake- bites at mines – he has only experienced ten cases throughout the African mines where he has conducted training – mining companies, nevertheless, aim to have safety systems in place to prevent snakebites at mines, thereby eliminating potential liability. However, snakebites are still a major risk for rural populations in Africa.

“Mineworkers need to have proper training to be able to remove snakes from the mine site. An untrained workforce will refuse to work if there are any snakes in the area, so, by teaching people about snakes and providing them with the correct methods of capturing them, you prevent work stoppages,” he adds.

Perry requires live snakes to conduct the courses, which can prove problematic, as he secures the specimens on site. “A mine may have lots of snakes at one point but, two months later, when I arrive for training, they might have gone underground for a number of reasons, including changes in weather, particularly if it is not raining anymore.”

He adds that the problem is compounded when dealing with venomous snakes, as transporting venomous snakes from African Reptiles & Venom to other African countries requires import and export licences, which are difficult to secure.

Perry notes that new mining sites have a greater chance of having a high snake population, as it is likelier that the snake population at older mines has been destroyed or that the snakes moved to other areas.

“Some mines do not have problems with snakes, while other mines have many snakes in the area. This can be because of the site of the mine. In a savannah region, you may have many snakes, compared with desert areas, where you will have fewer snakes,” he explains.

Snake Handling
During the courses, delegates first view a snake-handling presentation, which will show videos of Perry catching snakes. This is followed by a demonstration of how to use snake-handling and personal protection equipment.

However, many mineworkers are afraid to handle snakes, which can pose a challenge when it comes to facilitating a successful snake handling course. Perry emphasises that no one is forced to handle snakes during the practical segment of the course.

He explains that the course starts with catching slow-moving snakes like puff adders. “Once delegates have seen this slow snake, have captured the snake with a snake hook and have touched it to get the feel of the snake’s skin, they feel less afraid.

“From there, we move on to the faster-moving snakes like Mozambique spitting cobras, savannah cobras, and rinkhals – also known as ring-necked spitting cobras.

“After handling some of these snakes, people gain the confidence needed to see that snakes are actually more scared of people than vice versa and often change their attitude towards snakes as a result,” Perry points out.

He notes that people’s cultural views of snakes often change after taking the course. “Normally, they quickly see why their cultural view of snakes has been warped and they come away from the courses with a new view of snakes.

Some people have even told me that they no longer see the need to kill snakes anymore because of the new understanding they have gained, which is certainly a positive mind change,” Perry concludes.