Durban - While trying to avoid being captured, a black mamba slithered through the walls of units at a block of flats in the Pinetown area and was eventually found hiding in a wall cavity behind a toilet on Thursday.
Snake rescuer Nick Evans said an electrician was in the basement of a block of flats when he saw the black mamba.
Evans said upon arrival, he saw the mamba in a hole in the wall, on some pipes.
He said he grabbed the snake by its tail but it was wedged and he was forced to let it go to prevent it from getting hurt.
As he let go, Evans said the mamba dashed behind the pipes and headed up towards the units.
“One of the staff at the flat had to go and knock on the door of the unit above and explain there was a black mamba coming up to their bathroom or kitchen.”
Evans went into the toilet and lifted a small cupboard, which covered a cavity where the pipes were.
“There was the mamba. Can you imagine if it popped out somehow (physically impossible though), and said hi while someone was on the loo?”
Grabbing his tongs, Evans lifted the tail towards him. However, he said the rescue became more complicated.
“The mamba was stuck about midway down the body. Its body was stuck between the bricks and the pipe, and it wouldn't budge.”
He said a worker from a security company, known to The Mercury only as Wayne, assisted him.
“I asked him to hold the tail while I grabbed the head and tried to free the body.”
Evans said while standing on the toilet lid, which eventually broke, he held the snake’s head in his right hand.
It was an epic rescue attempt that was going nowhere after an hour of trying to free the snake.
After trying different things including using a hammer, Evans noticed that the pipe, which led to the kitchen sink, was loose.
“I realised if we could push it right out of there, back into the kitchen cupboard, the mamba would be free. That's what Wayne went and did, and that's exactly what happened! Our struggle was over!”
Evans said the mamba, which measured 2.5m, was exhausted, cold, and covered in dust.
“I am extremely grateful to Wayne for his brave help, as well as to the other staff who helped. So glad we saved the snake. A challenging, interesting but rewarding rescue.”
