Following the hugely successful children’s Snake Safety courses during the Easter holidays, Crocworld Conservation Centre will once again be hosting similar courses for children between the ages of six and twelve on Monday, 9 July, Wednesday, 11 July and Friday 13 July 2018.
The one-day course during the winter school holidays is aimed at equipping children in the specified age group with knowledge and skills that they require, should they encounter a snake.
At a bargain cost of just R120.00 per child, kids will be taught how to react if they see a snake, including keeping a safe distance, alerting an adult, and monitoring the snake’s movements.
“Although the South Coast is famous for its wide variety of fauna and flora, and snakes are often within our surroundings, human encounters with snakes are few and far between. However, the public need to understand that snakes are not necessarily our enemies,” said Martin Rodrigues, manager of Crocworld Conservation Centre.
“Our snake safety course is designed around and targets a naturally curious age group, who potentially make themselves very vulnerable to snake bites, as they do not know what to do when a snake is encountered,” stressed Rodrigues, a greatly experienced herpetologist
The course will not promote the handling or touching of any snakes. It will impart basic knowledge of snakes, including the senses snakes use, how they get around, what they eat, and the important role that snakes play in the ecosystem.
It will also assist children who may have a fear of snakes, to replace their fear with respect, understanding and knowledge.
Included in this highly interactive Snake Safety course is a practical session, an introduction to live snakes and demonstrations of snake encounter scenarios, where children will have the opportunity to watch how to react, should they be in a similar situation.
The two-session course commences at 09h00, with a 30-minute lunch break at midday. Children need to provide their own lunches. The afternoon session ends at 14h30. Children will receive a certificate of completion (parents to provide child’s full name when booking).
Bookings are essential, as space is limited. Bookings can be made by e-mailing mrodrigues@cbl.co.za, or contact Martin Rodrigues on 078 484 1859.