The KwaZulu-Natal communities of Nqutshini and Nyembe were inspired to calm their fears and embrace facts regarding those sneaky serpents that happen to find their way into their homes and surroundings.
KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa (22 April 2025) – Whether you consider them magnificent, unfriendly visitors, or they give you the heebie jeebies, snakes are a largely misunderstood wildlife creatures that greatly contribute to our ecosystems and are, too, like the rest of us, impacted by climate change.
The communities of Nqutshini and Nyembe in KwaZulu-Natal got to gain a deeper understanding of these sneaky serpents and their environment through a recent Climate Change and Snake Awareness Workshop hosted by Wildlands’ uThukela Marine Protected Area (MPA) Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) Project.
The educational initiative brought renowned snake experts Nick Evans- Snake Rescuer, and Carla Goede, who facilitated the workshop and brought their deep knowledge and engaging approach to these sessions.
The workshop aimed to raise awareness about the impact of climate change on animals, with a particular focus on snakes.
Discussions explored how shifting weather patterns have affected snake distribution, food availability, and movement across different habitats.
According to Wildlands, the session also covered the various snake species found in the region, emphasising how to distinguish between venomous and non-venomous snakes, the types of toxins they use, and practical safety tips for living safely alongside them.
Evans also stressed the importance of snakes’ crucial ecological role in maintaining the balance of food chains by helping control rodent and small animal populations.
Community members had the opportunity to ask questions and learn how to respond safely when encountering snakes in homes, fields, or forests.
More impressively, young and old were open to the opportunity to touch and interact with the snakes brought by Evans, which worked well as part of highlighting the importance of snake conservation, dispelling widespread myths and fears and paving the way for respectful coexistence through knowledge, understanding, and awareness.
Sources: Wildlands
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