I've never been really scared of snakes, seen them on the trails but kept my distance without freaking out. Yesterday i cam home after work, dropped my bag, switch on my computer, grabbed something out of the fridge. Out of the corner of my eye i noticed my wifes two african grey parrots are sitting next to each other in their cage which they normally dont do (both female, dont have eyes for each other) So as normal i go to open the cage to let them out. As i extend my hand to open the latch my eye caught a movement on the other side of the cage and i hear a hissing sound, OMG A &^%$# CAPE COBRA is in the cage. PANIC STATIONS i need to get the birds out, they are children to my wife, but i dont want to get bitten WHAT DO I DO. The only opening to the cage, the door, is 5 cm from a cobra's head. Go the right of the cage, what am i doing here can't get to the birds, go to the left, the snake is here and I dont know if a Cape Cobra can spit as this things face is platter than a pannekoek and it keep making the hissing sound at me and jumping at me. Luckily i got it to come towards the back of the cage so i jumped to the front opening the door and grabbed the first bird and tossed her away and the other one was at the back i just stuck my arm in grabbed what i could and pulled. Luckily i got the second one out as well. Ran to the bedroom dumped the birds, ran back to the cage, NOW WHAT. Next thing i think, was the birds OKAY? So i ran back to the room now a bit more calm as the birds are not in harms direct way, checked them both over and no bite marks or issues. Back to the living room. Now snake in the cage me outside, now what. Grab the kitchen bin empty it on the floor bring it to cage, now what. Grab the only long thing i can see, a broom and stand ready to MOER. But now i start calming down. Firstly not a very sturdy broom, if i font kill on first strike i might be next, the thing was moving vrek fast in the cage. Ahah i remember i have a spade standing close to kitchen door outside. Grab the spade, even more ready for action. By now snake also calmed down and is laying half in the birds water bowl half in their food bowl. Him watching me and me watching him. I realized if i try and kill it it will be a bloodbath, blood every where and not necessarily just his. I phoned the owner of the farm i live on and he says he will send someone. 5 minutes, 10 minutes, nothing. Just us staring. I phone again, he says he can't get hold of the manager but he got some numbers for people that can assist from the police or somewhere. Another couple of minutes later some of the farm workers arrive, obviously they didn't believe me when i said ITS A $%^&* CAPE COBRA! They come into the house give the snake one look and say "NEEE JURRE daais n gevaaarlike SLANG" and left again, leaving me and snake staring again. Meanwhile i got hold of my father in Namibia, he has more experience with snakes and all he can tell me is if i can keep the snake their till monday he can come help as they are coming down for the holiday. (Parents dont always understand the urgency in ones voice) Eventually the farm manager arrives with the snake peoples numbers. We phone, first guy dont answer, second guy, straight to voice mail, The snakes odds aren't looking to good at this stage. Third guy, answers, but is stuck in traffic on the N2. He says i must sms him my address OMG! Seriously now its done time for the snake. Then i realize these guys are endangered. So seeing that other people now know i have the snake and they get here and there is blood every where might not be the best option. I start phoning again, the first guy answers but he is on his way to Stellenbosch but he will see if his girlfriend can come assist me, still made a joke saying you going to send a girl to come help two guys scared half to death, but ja he will phone me back. After more than an hour of staring the third guy that was stuck in traffic phones, he is close by. He came caught snake didn't even really make alot of small talk and put the snake in the cars boot and left. Just mentioned it was a young guy maybe a year old. The only question i asked was where is he going to drop him off and he said at a nature reserve and i was happy. Luckily all this just before my wife got home. The whole house was turned upside down last night and i have a feeling there will be inspections every day from now on.
