Recently, we had heard rumors that there was a lion loose in the area after escaping from a game reserve in South Africa. A little on guard we thought it was a good story. However, come to find out, yes the lion had escaped from the game reserve South Africa and had been roaming this area for a year before he was caught and placed in a game reserve here in Swaziland. Certainly, nothing dire to worry about. Sometimes the important details get lost in the translation.
Then, Thanksgiving weekend, there was a large green snake, about 2 meters long, that came out of the cane fields and went up into one of the mango trees in our yard. The local people all said it was a green mamba which is a very dangerous snake. So we called the security company to ask them to come and remove it. Two hours later, quite a crowd had gathered to look at the snake but no help had arrived.
There is a lady who lives in Simunya, they call her Thea, the snake lady, who finally came to look at the snake. She said he had a poisonous bite but very rarely attacks. Her advise was leave it alone, take pictures, have a large gin and tonic and after a few days he would disappear. It was not a green mamba but a boomslanger! Security did eventually come and remove him and now he is back in the cane fields.
I did not take pictures as I forgot! Thea, the snake lady, will come back to Maphiveni on December 10th to do a presentation about snakes; Swazi myths about snakes, what snakes are poisonous, and how to deal with a snake bite.
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