Catching snakes is his passion

with snakes. In many traditions, association with snakes is condemned for it depicts evil practices. Many people, particularly in Africa, hate snakes. A sight of the reptile is often hair-raising.
It is, however, a different story with Mr Fayaz Motala (27), of Gweru. At the age of six he had his first experience of catching a snake. He later developed an interest in studying about snakes and is now an expert snake catcher prominent in the Midlands capital.
“I had my first experience at the age of six when I caught a snake,” he said.
“It was a harmless one though. That is when I really developed an interest. At the age of 10, I started to study their feeding habits and living conditions. I caught my first dangerous snake at the age of 13. It was a snouted cobra. It became the greatest moment for my life. My mother was totally against this. I even carried snakes to school and teachers used to punish me. This did not stop me from catching them. I am now a self-trained snake handler.”
Some two years ago, he caught a banded cobra at Gweru Old Prison Complex after the snake had caused mayhem among residents.
“Catching snakes is a childhood passion for me,” said Motala.
But how does he catch snakes?
“There are many tactics. I prefer tailing. I hold a hooked stick in my right hand; I hook the neck and immediately catch the tail. I find it safe. I also put protective shoes since snakes mostly bite the lower leg.”
Mr Motala touts the important role that snakes play to preserve the delicate balance in the ecosystem. He warned that due to our environmental challenges which include deforestation, land degradation through mining activities, veld fires and random killing by human beings, there could be no snakes in the not-too-distant future.
“Snakes also play a pivotal role in the ecosystem. They eat pests like rats which destroy crops. In India they are being used in developing a cure for cancer. Anti-venom is also developed from them. The population of snakes is on rapid decrease; some species are now rare such as pythons and black mambas. Cobras and puff adder populations are also on the decrease because they are close to human contact.
“Puff adders are the most dangerous to humans because of their habits. They hide in thick grass, under bushes and holes. They are mainly active at night but known to bask in the day. They are very fast when striking. They also have two long fangs which spit the poison. They feed on rats, mice, lizards and frogs. These animals also associate with human beings, hence the constant contact between the snake and humans. Cobras occupy a permanent home, especially holes. They are active at night and bites when confronted. They usually venture into chicken runs in search of eggs. So people must avoid exposing their chicken eggs,” he explained.
He acknowledges that while snakes are key players in the ecosystem, their bites can be dangerous. He thinks two types of snakes – the cobra and the puff adder – are the most dangerous since they account for the larger part of bites which end up in hospitals.
“The puff adder has got cytotoxic venom which destroys body cells. If one is bitten by it and is not treated immediately, the part may be amputated. It is responsible for many snake bites in Africa. Cobras carry neurotoxic venom that affects the breathing system. These snakes bite at the lower part of the leg. First aid must always be practised when one is bitten by any snake. Immobilising of the area, exposing the bite, excess venom must be wiped away with water and the victim must remain calm and he must be taken to hospital before it is too late. Immediate shock, extreme pain, excessive swelling and blistering are some of the symptoms the victim may feel,” said Mr Motala.
When you see a snake next time, Mr Motala advises, do not kill it. Rather, keep a respectful distance and seek expert advice on how to handle it. But a clean environment and order tend to keep the deadly reptiles away.
“I recommend people to leave it alone if they see it in the forest because many snakes strike without warning. If they invade your territory, I urge the public to call experts. The public should try to stay in a clean environment, avoid piling rocks near homes and also avoid grass during summer. Snakes usually are active during summer because it is their breeding time mostly and also food will be plenty such as frogs. In the forest, black mambas usually hide in rocks and pythons prefer a quiet environment. And pythons are protected. It is an offence to kill a python,” he added.
Many Gweru residents call Mr Motala every time they encounter snakes and he is always ready to assist.
A Gweru man, a Mr Hussein, said he appreciates the services rendered by Mr Motala after he had problems with puff adders and cobras on his plot in Clonsilla.
“I was shocked at first when I heard about his skill of catching snakes, because it’s something unusual. Some think it’s associated with wrong rituals. But it is all about courage and skill. Growing up in the rural areas we were told to kill a snake whenever we saw it, in the forest or home. This young man has caught many snakes at my plot; taking them to protected places such as Kwekwe Snake Park or in the forest. Each time I see a snake I call him. I appreciate conservation since some species are now rare to see,” he said.
Mr Hussein said Mr Motala is even helping the Parks and Wildlife Management Authority, whose teams, he said, used to shoot snakes when called. Now, he said, Parks Authority officials refer people to Mr Motala.
Vice-chairperson of the Research Council of Zimbabwe, Professor Idah Sithole, hates snakes, but called for their preservation.
“I am also scared of snakes,” she said, “I hate them and I don’t even want to see them, but I am not saying they must be killed. The venom is used to make the anti-venom to cure their poison. Right now in India they are running out of snakes because of some climate and environmental effects. The general public needs to be educated on wildlife conservation and environmental management. Awareness is needed because snakes are dangerous because of their poison. I can also confirm that Kwekwe has recorded many snake bites with one victim having a hand amputated. Farmers in resettled areas and in rural areas need adequate education on conservation for our future generation. Our country is very beautiful and blessed with these natural resources that were bequeathed to us so let’s keep them for ourselves and also for commercial purposes.”
Mr Artwell Sibanda, Parks Authority area manager in Kwekwe, thanked Mr Motala for his help. He highlighted the need of conserving wildlife despite some species being dangerous to human life to the extent of causing death.
“We all need to see these animals, to show our children, especially the future generation. Tourists are travelling all across the world coming to Zimbabwe to see wildlife’s which include elephants, lions, pythons, and rhinos. In their countries, they no longer have them. We must not be found flying our kids to other countries to show them a python while we have them now. We need to conserve them in all aspects. Those with big farms must be innovative and venture into this programmes. We have Snake Park in Harare and Kwekwe Snake Park. We need more of them. We also appreciate the services rendered by Mr Motala to wildlife – especially these vicious and dangerous ones to human beings,” said Mr Sibanda.
*Dosman Mangisi; he can be contacted on [email protected]; cell: 0735 241 955.