0:00:11 > 0:00:14It's Friday night at a hotel in Swaziland.
0:00:14 > 0:00:15CHATTERING
0:00:15 > 0:00:22Thea Litschka-Cohen is a devoted wife and mother with a full-time job.
0:00:22 > 0:00:24But she has another love in her life.
0:00:24 > 0:00:26PHONE RINGS
0:00:26 > 0:00:29Thea! Thea...
0:00:30 > 0:00:35OK, I'm on my way. Black Mamba. Black Mamba.
0:00:37 > 0:00:42It's Africa's deadliest snake, the Black Mamba.
0:00:44 > 0:00:51During the long hot African summer, it turns up in the most unlikely and unwanted places.
0:00:51 > 0:00:54People kill mambas here.
0:00:54 > 0:00:59But if you are close enough to kill a mamba, it is usually close enough to kill you.
0:01:01 > 0:01:04Snakebite in Africa is reaching epidemic proportions,
0:01:04 > 0:01:06and Thea and her husband, Clifton,
0:01:06 > 0:01:12are trying to relieve this crisis in Swaziland to save both snake and human lives.
0:01:12 > 0:01:14Out of control.
0:01:16 > 0:01:18- Whoa!- Jesus!- Whoa!
0:01:20 > 0:01:24Thea is affectionately known by the locals as the White Witch.
0:01:24 > 0:01:30She is determined to change attitudes based on centuries of fear and superstition
0:01:30 > 0:01:33towards the most infamous and lethal snake in Africa.
0:01:33 > 0:01:38We should actually have that kiss before we go in. It could be the last one.
0:01:56 > 0:01:58The Black Mamba is a snake
0:01:58 > 0:02:02with a notorious reputation for being furious,
0:02:02 > 0:02:04fast and deadly.
0:02:06 > 0:02:10Long and slender, it can grow to four metres, and strong enough
0:02:10 > 0:02:15to raise a third of its body above the ground and look you in the eye.
0:02:17 > 0:02:22An iconic predator, it is terrifying and yet fascinating.
0:02:23 > 0:02:26Mambas, they are elegant.
0:02:26 > 0:02:29The way they move, the way they hunt, the way they behave,
0:02:29 > 0:02:32there is no other snake that can touch a mamba.
0:02:32 > 0:02:37Just the way it looks at you, you can almost see the intelligence in their eyes.
0:02:37 > 0:02:40And they are inquisitive, believe it or not.
0:02:40 > 0:02:43This is a snake with attitude.
0:02:43 > 0:02:47It is more likely to strike than any other snake.
0:02:47 > 0:02:51Its bite is known as the "kiss of death".
0:02:54 > 0:02:57Swaziland is one of the smallest countries in Africa.
0:02:57 > 0:03:02The size of Wales, it is a land-locked kingdom, between Mozambique and South Africa.
0:03:05 > 0:03:11Despite the encroaching agriculture, Black Mambas are doing well here.
0:03:13 > 0:03:16They come to prey on small mammals and reptiles.
0:03:19 > 0:03:21But there's nowhere they won't go.
0:03:22 > 0:03:25October is the end of spring in Africa.
0:03:25 > 0:03:29Temperatures are soaring, and it's the beginning of snake season.
0:03:29 > 0:03:34Five months of chaos, when people and mambas come head to head.
0:03:37 > 0:03:43Thea and Clifton have been called out by police to a remote village, Ngomani.
0:03:43 > 0:03:47We go out 24 hours. It's like a doctor being on call.
0:03:47 > 0:03:54And very often we've gone out four times a night, especially November to February.
0:03:54 > 0:03:57- Who saw the snake? - He saw it. It's right there.
0:03:57 > 0:04:01Thea and Clifton are the only people in Swaziland
0:04:01 > 0:04:05who will go out and rescue mambas and other venomous snakes.
0:04:07 > 0:04:10Unfortunately, the dogs have already been bitten.
0:04:15 > 0:04:18- Can you see the head?- Yeah. - Where is it?
0:04:18 > 0:04:22- It's right there.- Oh, it's right there. Oh, it's gaping.
0:04:27 > 0:04:30They are both dicing with death.
0:04:30 > 0:04:35If the mamba bites them now, medical help in Swaziland probably won't save them.
0:04:35 > 0:04:37- I'm letting him go.- OK.
0:04:37 > 0:04:40- Got him.- OK.
0:04:40 > 0:04:42- Don't pull.- I'm not pulling.
0:04:42 > 0:04:43OK.
0:04:45 > 0:04:47Good one.
0:04:49 > 0:04:51Wait, wait, wait.
0:04:55 > 0:04:59Your dogs, I've looked at them, they're not going to survive.
0:04:59 > 0:05:06So even if we take them to the clinic now, to the vet, we won't be able to save them.
0:05:13 > 0:05:18Very often the people that get bitten by the snake is people who is trying to kill it.
0:05:18 > 0:05:22I have a mixed reaction from the locals.
0:05:22 > 0:05:24They call me the Mother of Snakes.
0:05:24 > 0:05:28Some are convinced I'm a white witch!
0:05:28 > 0:05:31For Thea, being called a white witch is a compliment,
0:05:31 > 0:05:37as the Swazis believe any woman brave enough to handle a mamba must have special powers.
0:05:37 > 0:05:40Kissy, kissy, kissy. Well done.
0:05:56 > 0:06:02Thea and Clifton Litschka-Cohen look after a hotel, a family and an orphaned wart hog.
0:06:02 > 0:06:08They were both born in Africa, and Thea's family have lived here in Swaziland for three generations.
0:06:11 > 0:06:14PHONE RINGS
0:06:14 > 0:06:16- Hi, babe.- Hi.
0:06:16 > 0:06:19I thought we had the mobile number.
0:06:23 > 0:06:25It's not important right now.
0:06:25 > 0:06:28There's a lot of pig happening there.
0:06:28 > 0:06:30- I just heard... - SHE MAKES TWITCHING NOISES
0:06:30 > 0:06:36Thea has always loved animals, but she couldn't have foreseen the path her life would take.
0:06:36 > 0:06:40It all started with one of her sons.
0:06:40 > 0:06:44Oliver my son had a school project, and he came home very excited.
0:06:44 > 0:06:49They were allowed to choose a subject and he choose snakes as his project.
0:06:49 > 0:06:54Thea went off to town and bought him a little corn snake.
0:06:54 > 0:07:00And then a week later she felt that this corn snake was lonely so she bought another one.
0:07:00 > 0:07:03We went on the internet and did a lot of research, and I became
0:07:03 > 0:07:07more and more interested in what I was reading, I was fascinated.
0:07:07 > 0:07:10It was a few weeks after that I think, if I'm not mistaken,
0:07:10 > 0:07:14we ended up in Jo'burg where Thea was doing a handling and ID course.
0:07:14 > 0:07:19So I thought, you know, in for a penny, in for a pound, so I did this mamba handling course.
0:07:19 > 0:07:22And that's really how the snake park started.
0:07:22 > 0:07:26Thank goodness Oliver didn't come home with a project on gorillas!
0:07:27 > 0:07:33As Thea's passion for snakes grew, she quickly realised just how many people were being killed or maimed.
0:07:33 > 0:07:40She felt compelled to do something about it, both to help the snakes and the people they threaten.
0:07:41 > 0:07:45The reptile park was set up as a home for some of the rescued snakes
0:07:45 > 0:07:49and, equally importantly, as a centre for education.
0:07:49 > 0:07:51It is situated in a local nature reserve.
0:07:53 > 0:07:57It is the only reptile park in Swaziland.
0:07:57 > 0:08:02We are very proud of what we have managed to achieve in the few years that we've been running.
0:08:02 > 0:08:08Many of the mambas and other snakes they rescued are released here and in other reserves.
0:08:08 > 0:08:13Releasing them back in to the wild seems like a good idea,
0:08:13 > 0:08:16but do they simply return to the areas where they used to live?
0:08:16 > 0:08:18Or indeed do they survive the translocation?
0:08:18 > 0:08:21Thea would like to find out.
0:08:21 > 0:08:27She wants to initiate the first ever study to radio track Black Mambas in the wild.
0:08:27 > 0:08:30I want you guys to help me hold the body still, hey. Hold it.
0:08:30 > 0:08:35Their two sons, Nathan and Oliver, help their mum with the snake park.
0:08:35 > 0:08:41And Philane is the first Swazi they have trained in handling Africa's deadliest snakes.
0:08:41 > 0:08:44Oliver, bring that tweezer there for me, please.
0:08:47 > 0:08:50We have to take the ticks off. It's very important for their well-being.
0:08:50 > 0:08:54Ticks can transmit all sorts of diseases.
0:08:57 > 0:09:02It's mid-October, and the beginning of the long hot snake season.
0:09:02 > 0:09:07As the heat builds before the rains, snakes are on the move.
0:09:09 > 0:09:13After a winter of inactivity, they are hungry.
0:09:18 > 0:09:21And this is where many of them come to find their prey.
0:09:24 > 0:09:27In mile upon mile of sugar cane.
0:09:35 > 0:09:38These are some of the largest cane estates in the southern hemisphere.
0:09:42 > 0:09:47The hot humid climate here makes it perfect for the sugar.
0:09:47 > 0:09:49And perfect for snakes.
0:09:51 > 0:09:56The big African savannas and larger wildlife may have diminished,
0:09:56 > 0:09:59but the rodents, reptiles and amphibians have thrived in the cane.
0:10:17 > 0:10:22Stretched out at waist height, a mamba will spend daylight hours basking here.
0:10:27 > 0:10:31It's colour is not black, but olive grey.
0:10:31 > 0:10:36The Black Mamba is named after the black inside its mouth.
0:10:47 > 0:10:52Its light underbelly helps it disappear against the bright sky.
0:11:08 > 0:11:12With large eyes, they have better sight than most snakes.
0:11:12 > 0:11:16Sudden movements will cause them to strike with deadly accuracy.
0:11:19 > 0:11:24Black mamba venom will kill a person in a couple of hours.
0:11:27 > 0:11:32Its smells an intruder approaching by using its long, forked tongue.
0:11:35 > 0:11:37CHATTERING
0:11:42 > 0:11:46Thousands of workers have to enter the cane to weed the channels.
0:11:47 > 0:11:54In a dense habitat like this a mamba will not sense intruders until they're almost upon it.
0:12:09 > 0:12:13Two snakes have been spotted by the workers cultivating the cane.
0:12:15 > 0:12:18Until they are found, work will stop.
0:12:18 > 0:12:22Are you positive that it's a black mamba?
0:12:22 > 0:12:26Thea may love snakes, but her husband, Clifton, is scared of them,
0:12:26 > 0:12:29yet he still goes along to help.
0:12:29 > 0:12:34- How big was the snake? - It was a huge one.- Huge. And explain the colour for me.
0:12:34 > 0:12:39It was light grey on the underpart, and then a bit darker on top.
0:12:39 > 0:12:44Are we going to have a quick look just to see if we can still find it?
0:12:44 > 0:12:47Just be careful, this undergrowth is very thick.
0:12:47 > 0:12:49Yeah, it's very dangerous. This is suicidal.
0:12:53 > 0:12:56Listen, I think this is too unsafe.
0:12:56 > 0:13:00- If they've seen three in here... - No, it's not safe enough to walk in.
0:13:00 > 0:13:04You might see it again. Call us immediately and keep an eye on it,
0:13:04 > 0:13:06but don't let the girls come and have a look.
0:13:06 > 0:13:10They must be very quiet, then we've got a chance of taking it out.
0:13:10 > 0:13:13I don't think we're going to find it here.
0:13:13 > 0:13:16The weeders will now leave this field until it's cut.
0:13:19 > 0:13:24You look exceptionally attractive in those weeds, I've been trying to get you into knee-highs for years.
0:13:24 > 0:13:27But I'm sure you didn't want a size ten.
0:13:35 > 0:13:40Early in the season most of the mambas Thea and Clifton rescue are males.
0:13:47 > 0:13:52It's the mating season. And when males meet, they fight!
0:14:09 > 0:14:13The winner will pin the loser's head to the ground.
0:14:26 > 0:14:28The winner claims his reward.
0:14:35 > 0:14:38The male inspects the female's body with his tongue.
0:15:12 > 0:15:16If mating is successful, the female will lay up to 17 eggs,
0:15:16 > 0:15:20usually in a nest underground or in a hollow tree.
0:15:22 > 0:15:27They won't hatch until later on in the summer, in about three months' time.
0:15:32 > 0:15:35Mambas are having a tough time here.
0:15:35 > 0:15:38So much of their wild habitat has been transformed,
0:15:38 > 0:15:43forcing them to live alongside people, which can only mean one thing.
0:15:43 > 0:15:46- PHONE RINGS - Hello.
0:15:46 > 0:15:48Yes?
0:15:48 > 0:15:53'November to February is incredibly busy, with February being the most active.
0:15:53 > 0:15:58'It's the warmest month in Swaziland, and that's when it gets crazy.'
0:15:58 > 0:16:00Is the snake still there?
0:16:00 > 0:16:02Is it in the bedroom? All right.
0:16:02 > 0:16:06We're coming now, we're very close. We're looking for your house, hey.
0:16:06 > 0:16:11They have already rescued one mamba today, and are on the way to their second call-out.
0:16:11 > 0:16:13PHONE RINGS
0:16:13 > 0:16:15Room 6?
0:16:15 > 0:16:18OK. James, what is it?
0:16:18 > 0:16:23Just keep it there, just close the door, we're on our way. OK.
0:16:23 > 0:16:27There's another call-out at the club in one of the rooms.
0:16:27 > 0:16:32They think it's a Black Mamba as well. They say it's quite a big one.
0:16:32 > 0:16:34Watch yourself by the door.
0:16:44 > 0:16:49- Can you see anything? - I can see absolutely squat.
0:16:49 > 0:16:52Torch. That would be a good idea. Wait for me, don't do anything.
0:16:52 > 0:16:54OK.
0:16:54 > 0:16:57PHONE RINGS
0:16:57 > 0:16:59Oh, Jesus, there's another one. OK.
0:16:59 > 0:17:02Hello? Yeah, I can't talk now, please phone me back.
0:17:02 > 0:17:05Please phone me back in ten minutes, thanks.
0:17:09 > 0:17:12- Here we go, here we go, here we go. - What is it?
0:17:12 > 0:17:16It's a mamba. Seems like quite a nice one.
0:17:16 > 0:17:19No, no, don't, don't, don't, don't.
0:17:19 > 0:17:21Can you get that out? I need to lift that.
0:17:21 > 0:17:26- Oh... Struck at me, hey. - Did it?- Yeah.- Oh.
0:17:29 > 0:17:32- That's not very clever.- Go, go, take him, take him, take him.
0:17:32 > 0:17:34- No!- Hold him!
0:17:36 > 0:17:39He wants to bite. OK, let me take him here.
0:17:39 > 0:17:42- It's too dangerous.- We can put him on the carpet.- No. Take him out.
0:17:42 > 0:17:45It's too crowded in here.
0:17:49 > 0:17:52- Lifting him, lifting him.- OK. - Got him?
0:17:55 > 0:17:57He's going to roll. He's twisting.
0:17:57 > 0:18:00Come on, boy, we're going to hurt you.
0:18:00 > 0:18:02I'm letting him roll.
0:18:02 > 0:18:06It's too dangerous to touch the mamba until it stops twisting.
0:18:08 > 0:18:11- He's cross. I've got him, I've got him.- You've got him?
0:18:16 > 0:18:18A very cross boy.
0:18:19 > 0:18:20I'm sorry.
0:18:23 > 0:18:25I'm shaking, just a second.
0:18:25 > 0:18:29'I don't think that I do it for the adrenalin kick,
0:18:29 > 0:18:36'not that I don't feel the adrenalin rush after I have caught a black mamba, or any other venomous snake.'
0:18:37 > 0:18:40My heart's going boom boom!
0:18:44 > 0:18:51'But I don't do it for that reason, I do it because people need you, and it's very difficult to say no.'
0:18:52 > 0:18:55- OK, one, two, three, go. - One, two, three, go.
0:18:55 > 0:18:58OK, let's run this over.
0:18:58 > 0:19:03There is no option here, we have to do it, there is nobody else to do it.
0:19:03 > 0:19:06They used to rely a lot on the Royal Swaziland Police,
0:19:06 > 0:19:11but they were terrified themselves, and they would just go and actually destroy the snake, they'd shoot it.
0:19:17 > 0:19:19PHONE RINGS
0:19:19 > 0:19:21Hello.
0:19:21 > 0:19:25Oh, OK, sorry, I just need a couple of minutes.
0:19:25 > 0:19:27I'll phone you back as soon as I can.
0:19:27 > 0:19:29We're a bit busy at the moment.
0:19:29 > 0:19:32Sorry, just a few minutes, hey. Sorry. Thanks, though, bye.
0:19:32 > 0:19:33Don't panic.
0:19:33 > 0:19:35Rule number two.
0:19:35 > 0:19:38Don't panic.
0:19:41 > 0:19:43We are at one of the rooms at the club,
0:19:43 > 0:19:50which we manage, and they've seen a snake inside the room itself.
0:19:50 > 0:19:56The maid spotted a mamba whilst cleaning one of the guest rooms.
0:19:56 > 0:19:57I think it's in the bedroom now.
0:19:57 > 0:20:00- Did you see it when you went in there?- Yes.
0:20:00 > 0:20:02- OK, all right.- Check the pantry!
0:20:11 > 0:20:15- Just going to take a peek again. - What's the guys' name who stays here?
0:20:19 > 0:20:21- Is the air conditioning on?- Yeah.
0:20:21 > 0:20:23Ah, that's going to make it easier.
0:20:24 > 0:20:31Somewhere in this bedroom, taking refuge from the heat, is a two-metre Black Mamba.
0:20:36 > 0:20:38- You can't see anything?- No.
0:20:45 > 0:20:47- Are you ready?- Yeah.
0:20:47 > 0:20:49OK.
0:20:49 > 0:20:51One, two, three.
0:20:51 > 0:20:56- No.- No. I'm just going to open the door quickly.- OK.
0:20:59 > 0:21:02We're running out of options.
0:21:04 > 0:21:07- Yeah.- Whooah!- Jesus!- Whoa!
0:21:07 > 0:21:09- That's big.- Hello!
0:21:09 > 0:21:11OK, Clifton, it's seen us!
0:21:14 > 0:21:16OK, wait.
0:21:16 > 0:21:18Pull it a bit more.
0:21:18 > 0:21:20- You ready?- Yeah.
0:21:20 > 0:21:23- Do it slowly, yeah.- Pull.
0:21:23 > 0:21:26Got him. Yeah.
0:21:26 > 0:21:29- Sweet.- It's not that big. OK, take him, take him.- Got him.
0:21:29 > 0:21:33He's got a lot more of me than what I should have.
0:21:35 > 0:21:39- Got him?- OK, OK. - OK, have you got him?
0:21:40 > 0:21:44I'm watching, watching his head, watching his head. Sweet!
0:21:44 > 0:21:47Sweet. Sweet.
0:21:51 > 0:21:53I'm out of control!
0:21:53 > 0:21:55It's cool! It's cool. OK, I've got it.
0:21:55 > 0:21:57OK.
0:22:00 > 0:22:02Be very careful.
0:22:02 > 0:22:04- Have you got?- I've got.
0:22:04 > 0:22:08- Firm?- Firm.- OK.- OK.
0:22:11 > 0:22:15- Right. One, two, three... - Oh, look, look.
0:22:15 > 0:22:18- Wait.- Fangs through the bag.
0:22:18 > 0:22:21Did you see the venom shoot out there?
0:22:21 > 0:22:24OK. One, two, three, go.
0:22:29 > 0:22:32OK. Do we tell this guy we found a snake in his room?
0:22:32 > 0:22:35He'll probably pack up and leave.
0:22:35 > 0:22:37- It's not good for business. - No, it's not good for business.
0:22:41 > 0:22:43Don't call again!
0:22:52 > 0:22:54Today it's been non-stop.
0:22:54 > 0:23:00They've rescued three mambas, and they're on their way to yet another call-out.
0:23:00 > 0:23:04We have had four call outs today, three successful, we're on our fourth.
0:23:04 > 0:23:10Apparently it's a Black Mamba, in a house, at section 17. We're off to go and see if we can catch it.
0:23:12 > 0:23:13HORN BEEPS
0:23:13 > 0:23:19Although Thea's passion for snakes was instant, Clifton took a little longer to join in.
0:23:19 > 0:23:23Clifton didn't help in the beginning. He's very afraid.
0:23:23 > 0:23:27He would come and he would drive, but he would never help me catch.
0:23:27 > 0:23:32But when Thea tore some ligaments in her ankle on a camping trip, Clifton had to step in.
0:23:32 > 0:23:35Snakes are obviously not my thing.
0:23:35 > 0:23:39But I think when it comes to Thea going out and catching venomous snakes,
0:23:39 > 0:23:44I think most husbands will try and be first in line to make sure everything is safe.
0:23:44 > 0:23:51He caught 14 mambas within the first nine days, and it was baptism by fire, absolutely!
0:23:51 > 0:23:53He's always with me now, and we trust each other,
0:23:53 > 0:23:59we've got a good relationship when we go out and catch snakes, and we work well together as a team.
0:24:01 > 0:24:03I can smell him.
0:24:04 > 0:24:07I can smell the mamba.
0:24:07 > 0:24:13Mamba poo has a unique smell, just like curry powder!
0:24:13 > 0:24:15- Big one or small one? - No, he's not big.
0:24:15 > 0:24:18Small? They're the worst ones.
0:24:32 > 0:24:34OK, he's moving.
0:24:34 > 0:24:37- Have you got him?- Yeah.
0:24:38 > 0:24:40I've got him.
0:24:40 > 0:24:42Put him here.
0:24:42 > 0:24:44Hold it this way.
0:24:44 > 0:24:47- Put him on the floor. - Don't let him go.
0:24:51 > 0:24:53Have you got him?
0:24:53 > 0:24:56EXCITED CHATTERING
0:25:02 > 0:25:04All right, it is a Black Mamba.
0:25:04 > 0:25:06You see it's not black, it's grey.
0:25:06 > 0:25:11It's called a Black Mamba because the mouth inside is black. Do you want to touch it?
0:25:11 > 0:25:13NERVOUS LAUGHTER
0:25:13 > 0:25:16- Softly, softly.- Touch softly.
0:25:17 > 0:25:21- And the tails don't bite? - No, absolutely not.
0:25:21 > 0:25:24'Once we've caught the snake, we are normally bombarded with questions,
0:25:24 > 0:25:28'and we can actually educate as many people that way as possible.'
0:25:32 > 0:25:34Safe!
0:25:34 > 0:25:38'Very often when we go and we remove a problematic mamba,
0:25:38 > 0:25:41'the first thing they say to me, "Are they going to come back?"
0:25:41 > 0:25:47'And I never know what to say because I don't know. We don't know the home range of a mamba.'
0:25:47 > 0:25:51- These questions have spurred Thea to come up with a plan. - Thank you.
0:25:51 > 0:25:56If she puts radio transmitters into these mambas and tracks them in the wild,
0:25:56 > 0:26:00she will be able to gain new insights into this elusive snake.
0:26:00 > 0:26:03This process is known as telemetry.
0:26:04 > 0:26:07If she can find out what Black Mambas do,
0:26:07 > 0:26:12she may be able to reassure the locals that they won't come back.
0:26:15 > 0:26:17She also hopes to find out whether the snakes she releases
0:26:17 > 0:26:22survive relocation, or is all their work in vain?
0:26:29 > 0:26:32RADIO PLAYS
0:26:34 > 0:26:39It's early February, and they've now rescued enough mambas to get their telemetry project underway.
0:26:39 > 0:26:42To help them, an expert is joining them.
0:26:42 > 0:26:50Professor Graham Alexander has come from the University of Witwatersrand in Johannesburg.
0:26:50 > 0:26:56He has tracked pythons and cobras before, so when it comes to following snakes, he's their man.
0:26:56 > 0:27:01- Hi, how do you do?- You must be Thea. Hi, I'm Graham.- Nice to meet you.
0:27:01 > 0:27:04- I'm Clifton.- Hi, Clifton, pleased to meet you too. - Thank you for coming down.
0:27:04 > 0:27:06You're welcome, this is an exciting project.
0:27:06 > 0:27:11I brought a whole anaesthesia machine down with oxygen, the whole works,
0:27:11 > 0:27:13so we shouldn't have any problems with the operation.
0:27:19 > 0:27:21It's the day of the operations.
0:27:21 > 0:27:25They have a vet and a team of handlers to safely implant the radio transmitters.
0:27:25 > 0:27:29There you go, that's straight down, I can feel it going down.
0:27:29 > 0:27:36Anaesthetizing a Black Mamba is an unusual and tricky task for even the most experienced vet!
0:27:36 > 0:27:42They use the same gas as for human operations, and it's administered through the snake's breathing tube.
0:27:42 > 0:27:48- How long should this take?- It varies tremendously from one individual to the other, even within one species.
0:27:48 > 0:27:53So we'll just have to see how it goes. This was a learning curve for me too.
0:28:00 > 0:28:03- It's starting to... - Starting to relax, yes.
0:28:06 > 0:28:11That's good. So the next thing we need to do is we need to establish where the heart of the animal is.
0:28:11 > 0:28:14There it is. See, there's the heart there.
0:28:14 > 0:28:16Put an H there just so we know what it means.
0:28:16 > 0:28:19No small helicopter's going to land here!
0:28:22 > 0:28:26- That's looking good. - OK, this is history in the making.
0:28:26 > 0:28:28I'm going to start cutting.
0:28:33 > 0:28:36- Any reaction there?- Uh-uh.
0:28:42 > 0:28:47The transmitters are small and fit easily in to the snake's body cavity.
0:28:47 > 0:28:50There we go, it's sliding in.
0:28:50 > 0:28:54Now I've got to, before I stitch it up, put the antenna under the skin.
0:28:54 > 0:28:56OK.
0:29:05 > 0:29:08It's an obvious species to do a study on
0:29:08 > 0:29:13because they have such a reputation, they're perceived as being so dangerous,
0:29:13 > 0:29:17we know just about nothing about them, they're big enough to take the transmitters,
0:29:17 > 0:29:23so it's surprising it hasn't been done before, it really is.
0:29:25 > 0:29:27Stitching is finished.
0:29:27 > 0:29:30Finished. Well done.
0:29:30 > 0:29:32There we go.
0:29:35 > 0:29:37So the next bunch are ready to go.
0:29:37 > 0:29:42Oh, it's already flickering it's tongue, perfect.
0:29:42 > 0:29:44There we go.
0:29:44 > 0:29:46Mind your fingers.
0:29:51 > 0:29:56With the first one through the operation successfully, the others follow quickly.
0:30:26 > 0:30:30Transmitters have been implanted into four snakes,
0:30:30 > 0:30:34all of which will be released in to the reserve around the reptile park.
0:30:34 > 0:30:37Two are resident mambas, who come from the reserve.
0:30:37 > 0:30:40These will be the control group.
0:30:40 > 0:30:46The other two are translocated mambas that have been rescued from houses 100 kilometres away.
0:30:46 > 0:30:51They will now be able to follow the daily movements of the two groups, to see how they compare.
0:30:53 > 0:30:59Finally, all is complete. The mambas will have a night to recover in the reptile park.
0:30:59 > 0:31:03It's an exciting new start, and who knows what secrets they will reveal
0:31:03 > 0:31:05when they are released in the morning?
0:31:05 > 0:31:08- Good work, well done.- Well done.
0:31:11 > 0:31:14With the telemetry project now underway,
0:31:14 > 0:31:21Thea's attention turns to one of her biggest challenges, the way local people deal with snakebites.
0:31:23 > 0:31:28The Swazi people are petrified of snakes, absolutely.
0:31:28 > 0:31:31The local people, when they get bitten, because of where they are in their homesteads,
0:31:31 > 0:31:36they're so far from medical facilities, transport is non-existent,
0:31:36 > 0:31:38and it takes them forever to get to medical help.
0:31:38 > 0:31:43Due to lack of funding, life-saving anti-venom isn't available here,
0:31:43 > 0:31:48so the first option is to turn to the local traditional healer.
0:31:53 > 0:31:58They prescribe herbal medicines known as "mooty" to treat snakebite,
0:31:58 > 0:32:02made from tree roots and dried-up snakes.
0:32:03 > 0:32:06Confidence in these cures is strong.
0:32:06 > 0:32:12The majority of Swazis, from farm workers to the Royal family, consult traditional healers.
0:32:12 > 0:32:15They rely on the traditional healers and they believe in them,
0:32:15 > 0:32:19and I don't think we should disregard what they have to say.
0:32:19 > 0:32:23The tongue of a Black Mamba,
0:32:23 > 0:32:26- the skin...- A lot of their treatments really do help.
0:32:26 > 0:32:29I'm not so sure about snakebites,
0:32:29 > 0:32:35but many of the other herbs that they do use do benefit, it really does.
0:32:35 > 0:32:39A Black Mamba bite needs sophisticated medical treatment,
0:32:39 > 0:32:45but most Swazis only have access to traditional medicines, so many people die.
0:32:49 > 0:32:53There has been a local tragedy. Four days ago,
0:32:53 > 0:32:58a 13-year-old girl, Tengetile, was bitten by a Black Mamba.
0:32:58 > 0:33:01Her mother, Tuli, took her to the traditional healer.
0:33:06 > 0:33:10TRANSLATED: The traditional healer gave Tengetile mooty medicine to drink,
0:33:10 > 0:33:14and rubbed the mooty on the bite.
0:33:14 > 0:33:21I thought the mooty would help, but after a while, I realised it was not working,
0:33:21 > 0:33:26so I looked for transport to get her to the hospital.
0:33:28 > 0:33:36They tried everything they could, but they didn't have the right medicine to save her.
0:33:37 > 0:33:40They said it was too late
0:33:40 > 0:33:43and we mustn't be afraid.
0:34:03 > 0:34:06The mamba's neurotoxic venom paralyses.
0:34:06 > 0:34:10Breathing becomes impossible and suffocation follows.
0:34:15 > 0:34:22Tengetile died, very soon after reaching hospital, just a few hours after being bitten by the mamba.
0:34:28 > 0:34:32TRANSLATED: The younger children still don't understand what happened.
0:34:32 > 0:34:37Sometimes they call her name, "Tengetile, Tengetile!"
0:34:37 > 0:34:42and when I ask them, "Why are you calling Tengetile?"
0:34:42 > 0:34:46they say, "Our sister, she has gone to the bush."
0:34:50 > 0:34:56Tengetile accidentally trod on the mamba whilst she was playing hide and seek.
0:34:56 > 0:34:58The snake was simply trying to defend itself.
0:35:00 > 0:35:03As agriculture encroaches on snake habitat,
0:35:03 > 0:35:09snakebite fatalities are reaching epidemic proportions worldwide.
0:35:09 > 0:35:14Here in Africa it is now thought that more than 20,000 people die every year.
0:35:18 > 0:35:22TRANSLATED: I am so scared because I don't know what is going to happen.
0:35:22 > 0:35:27Maybe when they are going to collect firewood it can happen again.
0:35:27 > 0:35:33I am really not free, I am so scared of the snake.
0:35:44 > 0:35:48The day after the vet's operations, and all the snakes are doing well.
0:35:48 > 0:35:51It's time to release Thea's mambas into the reserve.
0:35:58 > 0:36:02Perfect. That's this tree here, right ahead.
0:36:02 > 0:36:03Here.
0:36:04 > 0:36:06YELPING
0:36:13 > 0:36:17First to be liberated is Twiggy. She is a resident snake,
0:36:17 > 0:36:23and they put her back into same tree they found her in, not far from the park headquarters.
0:36:23 > 0:36:24There she goes.
0:36:26 > 0:36:30I think it's actually trying to get as far away from us as possible.
0:36:30 > 0:36:33It hasn't seen sunlight for two weeks.
0:36:36 > 0:36:43Next to go is Bugs, another resident, so named because he was captured in a rabbit cage.
0:36:44 > 0:36:50He was looking for food, ate three young rabbits, and killed another 12!
0:36:52 > 0:36:55Everything's got to eat, but that's just a waste.
0:37:04 > 0:37:09They will be able to compare the behaviour of these two resident mambas
0:37:09 > 0:37:15with the two translocated mambas who are being relocated at the other end of the reserve.
0:37:18 > 0:37:24Situpa, the mamba from room 6 at the hotel, is first to go.
0:37:28 > 0:37:33To be followed by Khali who was originally rescued from on top of the kitchen cupboard.
0:37:33 > 0:37:37- I think you get impala here.- Yeah, I think...- Well, you used to anyway.
0:37:45 > 0:37:48There it is. It's looking for somewhere to hide. It's going up.
0:37:50 > 0:37:54So much for... the aggressive snakes, huh?
0:37:54 > 0:37:58All they're trying to do is get away and survive, like us all.
0:38:00 > 0:38:04From now on, these mambas will be radio tracked 24/7.
0:38:04 > 0:38:10Their positions will be recorded to see how far they travel, and what they get up to.
0:38:17 > 0:38:21In March, the heat is becoming unbearable.
0:38:21 > 0:38:23PHONE RINGS
0:38:23 > 0:38:25Hello.
0:38:25 > 0:38:29We'll be there in about 20 minutes. Can you still see the snake?
0:38:29 > 0:38:32No, you just keep an eye on it.
0:38:32 > 0:38:35Don't panic, we're going to be there soon as possible.
0:38:35 > 0:38:41Call-outs are coming in thick and fast, and now Thea and Clifton have been contacted by the police.
0:38:41 > 0:38:44- Can you see it there in the truck? - He's nice and big, hey?
0:38:45 > 0:38:50A driver has abandoned his lorry, because he has seen what he thinks is a mamba.
0:38:53 > 0:38:55Just be careful, huh?
0:38:56 > 0:39:00It turns out to be a Boomslang, a back-fanged snake,
0:39:00 > 0:39:06and although not as aggressive as a mamba, its venom, drop for drop, is more potent.
0:39:06 > 0:39:09SHE MUTTERS, FEARFULLY
0:39:09 > 0:39:13- See him? Got him?- Got him. - Can I see him?
0:39:13 > 0:39:15Run, run, run.
0:39:15 > 0:39:18- Where is he?- He's behind that light. - Can you see?
0:39:19 > 0:39:21- Oh, my god.- He's here.
0:39:21 > 0:39:24OK, he's here. We've found him.
0:39:24 > 0:39:27- Can you see his head there?- I've got it right in front of me here.
0:39:27 > 0:39:32- What can we take off him?- Can you see my hand?- Ooh! Yeah. So can he.
0:39:32 > 0:39:35You're going to have to just probe him so he can get out there.
0:39:35 > 0:39:38I've got his head here in front of me.
0:39:40 > 0:39:43- He's looking at me.- And me.
0:39:43 > 0:39:47- He might even just decide to come down.- How fast can you get up?
0:39:50 > 0:39:54- Can you see where he's going? - He's gone up into the body, here.
0:39:54 > 0:39:57OK, we're going to have to put this down.
0:39:59 > 0:40:01He's now in the dashboard.
0:40:01 > 0:40:04The problem's just got bigger.
0:40:04 > 0:40:06What happened?
0:40:06 > 0:40:08It's open, eh?
0:40:08 > 0:40:12- Now we're going to catch you. - All right.
0:40:12 > 0:40:15- Anti-climax.- Ah, there it is. - There he is.
0:40:15 > 0:40:18If you hold this up, we're going to have to...
0:40:24 > 0:40:26- Oops.- Oopsy.
0:40:33 > 0:40:34OK, got him.
0:40:34 > 0:40:38- Do we know what this is? - Green Mamba.
0:40:38 > 0:40:40No, there's not Green Mambas in Swaziland.
0:40:40 > 0:40:43Boomslang. No, you don't have to worry, I've got him, he can't come.
0:40:43 > 0:40:48- Is it not that dangerous? - It is, it's a very dangerous...
0:40:48 > 0:40:51This Boomslang is lucky Thea turned up.
0:40:51 > 0:40:55It will be released into the wild later today.
0:40:55 > 0:40:58Knowing if all the snakes they rescue survive relocation
0:40:58 > 0:41:02will be an important outcome of their telemetry study.
0:41:04 > 0:41:09Back in the reserve, Thea is concerned that one of her snakes, Khali,
0:41:09 > 0:41:14the snake caught on the kitchen cupboard, has not been spotted for a while.
0:41:14 > 0:41:20They can get a signal on her, but she is not moving and Thea needs to check whether she is still alive.
0:41:20 > 0:41:25She's at the far end of a lake, only accessible by boat.
0:41:25 > 0:41:28It's very unusual for them to stay in one area for a month.
0:41:28 > 0:41:34- It is. This is why we're a bit concerned, we need to make an effort to find her.- Yeah.
0:41:34 > 0:41:38- I think we're going to have bad news. - You think so?- I think so.
0:41:38 > 0:41:40I'm hoping to prove you wrong.
0:41:41 > 0:41:44Here we go.
0:41:44 > 0:41:47- BEEPING - Can you hear?
0:41:47 > 0:41:48Yeah.
0:41:48 > 0:41:51There we go, right towards those trees.
0:41:51 > 0:41:53BEEPING
0:41:53 > 0:41:58- SHE COUNTS THE BEEPS - Three, four, five...
0:41:58 > 0:42:00She's right ahead.
0:42:06 > 0:42:09- Is there any land up ahead? - Not yet, hey.
0:42:10 > 0:42:14I think we're going to have to get out and see if we can spot her.
0:42:19 > 0:42:24I've got a feeling that you go first because I think it's deep!
0:42:24 > 0:42:26Big python, big python.
0:42:28 > 0:42:32Where? There it is, there it is. You want to grab it?
0:42:32 > 0:42:36- It's going to bite you.- Was it definitely a python?- Definitely. A big one too, just here.
0:42:37 > 0:42:44- There.- The python has to be moved out of the way if they're to work around the tree safely.
0:42:44 > 0:42:45Oh, beauty.
0:42:50 > 0:42:55- Tell me if you need help.- No, I've done a few pythons in my life.
0:42:55 > 0:42:59It's about the only snake I don't like catching, you know that.
0:43:02 > 0:43:04That was cool.
0:43:04 > 0:43:08You know, Thea, I might actually start buying what you say.
0:43:08 > 0:43:16It looks like a snake is actually moving now, but the strongest signal we've got is up the tree.
0:43:18 > 0:43:21- She's above us, hey. - Above us and supposedly there.
0:43:30 > 0:43:36I get two areas where there's strong signals, but this seems to be the more consistent one.
0:43:36 > 0:43:38There she is, I think I've spotted her.
0:43:38 > 0:43:41There she is. Yes, baby!
0:43:41 > 0:43:44- And she's alive.- And she's alive.
0:43:44 > 0:43:48I think she's staying here because it's ideal habitat.
0:43:48 > 0:43:52Well, I think it's the food source. The food source, it's secluded...
0:43:52 > 0:43:55I think she's going for the little weavers.
0:43:55 > 0:43:59Certainly there's a lot here and I mean it's really easy picking.
0:43:59 > 0:44:02This is excellent. I'm really happy.
0:44:02 > 0:44:06- I'm pleased.- A little row home and a cup of coffee. - Yeah, it's working well.
0:44:09 > 0:44:14Black mambas often live up off the ground and birds are common prey.
0:44:16 > 0:44:21They hunt using a combination of active stalking and ambush.
0:44:22 > 0:44:29They surreptitiously pursue their prey, using their large eyes to follow movement.
0:44:30 > 0:44:34The mamba positions itself, and waits for an opportunity.
0:44:39 > 0:44:46Weaver birds build their nests on the ends of the skinniest branches and often over water,
0:44:46 > 0:44:48far from reach.
0:44:49 > 0:44:52Even a mamba would find this a challenge.
0:44:53 > 0:44:57Nonetheless, the mamba has remarkable strength.
0:44:57 > 0:45:02Its body is able to stretch across gaps of a metre or more to reach its prey
0:45:02 > 0:45:06and move from tree to tree without having to return to the ground.
0:45:11 > 0:45:17The weaver birds work together, mobbing the mamba, in a combined effort to drive it off.
0:45:25 > 0:45:29The transmitters are not just revealing where the snakes are,
0:45:29 > 0:45:31they also give a temperature reading
0:45:31 > 0:45:36which shows they move in and out of the sun to keep their body at 30 degrees Celsius,
0:45:36 > 0:45:38the optimum temperature to strike.
0:45:41 > 0:45:45Tuli and her family have asked for Thea's help.
0:45:45 > 0:45:51Tuli is worried that the mamba that killed her daughter has returned.
0:45:56 > 0:45:59It's definitely a Black Mamba and it's definitely an active hole.
0:45:59 > 0:46:04You can see where it's been moving in and out here.
0:46:04 > 0:46:09You can see it's smooth where the snake has gone in.
0:46:10 > 0:46:14I've closed up the hole so that it can't go back in there.
0:46:14 > 0:46:18Right, well, let's go and look there, see what's there.
0:46:19 > 0:46:25This is the first time the family have had the courage to return to where their daughter was bitten.
0:46:28 > 0:46:30What do think happened to her shoes?
0:46:30 > 0:46:33THEY SPEAK IN SWAZI
0:46:44 > 0:46:47Here they are.
0:47:11 > 0:47:13SHE WHIMPERS
0:47:27 > 0:47:33I think it's just reassurance, just to give them a little bit of something, you know.
0:47:33 > 0:47:36They've got nothing so you just try and help where you can.
0:47:38 > 0:47:42He just said, "Thank you from the bottom of my heart."
0:47:45 > 0:47:47They wanted the shoes to come home.
0:47:53 > 0:47:56It's why we do what we do.
0:48:20 > 0:48:26Back at the reserve, Twiggy, one of the resident mambas, has been victim of a freak accident,
0:48:26 > 0:48:28not far from the tree where she was released.
0:48:28 > 0:48:32- I think you will see. - Oh, no. Oh, no.
0:48:32 > 0:48:37- Was she stuck in the cage or was she half in?- She was stuck in the cage.
0:48:37 > 0:48:39I think it's eaten by the rat.
0:48:39 > 0:48:45- They really, really did a good job on her. They ate the whole head. - That's bad.
0:48:45 > 0:48:47So Twiggy's dead.
0:48:47 > 0:48:51She was one of my favourites. This is really sad.
0:48:51 > 0:48:56She had been hunting rats, got caught in the mesh of their cage, and bitten to death.
0:49:02 > 0:49:07With Twiggy gone, just one resident mamba remains - Bugs.
0:49:07 > 0:49:11It is vital to Thea and the success of the project that he survives.
0:49:21 > 0:49:25Neither of the resident mambas has moved far during the study.
0:49:25 > 0:49:32Bugs has also remained very close to where he was released, and as a result is easy to find.
0:49:35 > 0:49:40Mostly he hangs out in thick bush around this water hole.
0:49:40 > 0:49:47Like most snakes, mambas are good swimmers and they also like a drink in the heat.
0:49:50 > 0:49:55Three weeks after his release, Bugs is shedding his skin.
0:49:57 > 0:50:02He rubs his head against a rough surface until the skin splits,
0:50:02 > 0:50:05wriggling his way out of the old one as he goes.
0:50:09 > 0:50:15The eye of a snake can't shut. Instead of an eyelid, they have a transparent scale over the eye,
0:50:15 > 0:50:17just like a window.
0:50:17 > 0:50:21This scale, like all the others, is shed with the old skin.
0:50:30 > 0:50:34Neither of the resident mambas has moved far during the study,
0:50:34 > 0:50:37unlike the two relocated mambas.
0:50:39 > 0:50:47Situpa, meaning six in Siswati, one of the translocated mambas, was rescued from room 6 in the hotel.
0:50:47 > 0:50:52He has moved locations every day in the first few weeks after release.
0:50:52 > 0:50:55Sometimes up to 500 metres a day.
0:51:03 > 0:51:08He has come dangerously close to the main road on the edge of the nature reserve.
0:51:15 > 0:51:18Vehicles are one of the biggest threats to snakes.
0:51:18 > 0:51:23Many thousands are killed on roads at this time of year.
0:51:40 > 0:51:46Situpa's signal shows her moving towards the sugar cane which surrounds the reserve.
0:51:49 > 0:51:54Perhaps the relocated mambas are returning to the habitat they are most familiar with.
0:51:57 > 0:52:03Once the mambas have headed into the cane, it becomes harder and more dangerous to track them.
0:52:05 > 0:52:07BIRDSONG
0:52:08 > 0:52:11CHATTERING
0:52:14 > 0:52:17We're going to have a look see.
0:52:36 > 0:52:39- This cane really cuts you.- Mmm.
0:52:39 > 0:52:46And this time of the day, if it's going to be anywhere, it's going to be basking about chest height.
0:52:48 > 0:52:53The signal's getting stronger, the snake's close, but it's really thick in here.
0:52:53 > 0:52:58- It's too dangerous, it's not worth it. Let's call this a day.- Right.
0:53:00 > 0:53:07These are our two residents, Bugs and Twiggy. Unfortunately, Twiggy is no more. She's rest in peace.
0:53:07 > 0:53:11The two residents seem to have a smaller area that they're moving in.
0:53:11 > 0:53:17Khali, which is the only female in the whole study, seems to have a massive home range.
0:53:17 > 0:53:19She's been all over the park.
0:53:19 > 0:53:26But she's found a lovely little home here at the dam and for about a month she stayed in this area here.
0:53:26 > 0:53:29We don't know much about mambas, it's just an endless amount.
0:53:29 > 0:53:33Where do they feed? What do they eat? Do they come home?
0:53:33 > 0:53:35There's all sorts of things that we can learn.
0:53:35 > 0:53:40I think if we could put three years behind this telemetry study, it will be invaluable,
0:53:40 > 0:53:42not just the mambas, but all snakes.
0:53:42 > 0:53:45We're going to have to follow these chaps for a while.
0:53:45 > 0:53:48Time will tell, but so far it's looking good.
0:53:48 > 0:53:50I mean, they're great snakes, they're awesome snakes.
0:53:50 > 0:53:53It's like the great white shark of the snake world.
0:53:54 > 0:54:00It's early days in the study, but it seems that the relocated mambas travel a lot for a few weeks,
0:54:00 > 0:54:06but then find a suitable area with good basking and hunting sites where they settle down.
0:54:06 > 0:54:08They don't try to return to where they used to live.
0:54:10 > 0:54:17It is all reassuring information that Thea can now communicate to the people who live here.
0:54:17 > 0:54:21And to help her do this she needs more Swazis like Philane on her team,
0:54:21 > 0:54:26to ease the burden of call-outs and to promote her favourite snake.
0:54:29 > 0:54:31CHATTERING
0:54:37 > 0:54:44Philane has such a wonderful way with snakes. He is incredibly gentle and he just seems to understand.
0:54:46 > 0:54:50Philane is a great role model.
0:54:50 > 0:54:53It's very unusual for a Swazi to be out there catching snakes.
0:54:53 > 0:54:59I don't think there's too many people that can catch a Black Mamba like Philane can catch it.
0:54:59 > 0:55:01SCREAMING
0:55:05 > 0:55:11Some of the areas we've been to, we must have had 200 people gathering.
0:55:11 > 0:55:16I think it's great entertainment value and I think it's also great education.
0:55:16 > 0:55:22Widespread education about snakes is what they are all ultimately striving for.
0:55:22 > 0:55:25Inside of the mouth.
0:55:25 > 0:55:27THEY SPEAK IN SWAZI
0:55:30 > 0:55:35If the people of Swaziland are going to be able to co-exist alongside the deadly Black Mamba,
0:55:35 > 0:55:40knowledge on basic first aid for snakebites will be life saving.
0:55:40 > 0:55:47Thea and Clifton's work has now been recognized by King Mswati III of Swaziland.
0:55:47 > 0:55:51He has given their family some land where they will work with the local community
0:55:51 > 0:55:58to build a nature reserve and a health clinic specializing in the treatment of snakebite victims.
0:55:58 > 0:56:01It will be the first of its kind in Swaziland.
0:56:01 > 0:56:07I think we need to realise that everything is here for a reason.
0:56:07 > 0:56:12Snakes are here for a reason, they're not serpents who are put on Earth to punish people.
0:56:12 > 0:56:14They play an important role.
0:56:14 > 0:56:20They keep the population of rodents down, they're absolutely necessary in our lives.
0:56:33 > 0:56:35It's early March.
0:56:36 > 0:56:39Mamba eggs are now hatching.
0:56:40 > 0:56:45Even as new-borns, these Black Mambas have a bite that can kill a human.
0:56:45 > 0:56:48They will feed voraciously and grow-up fast -
0:56:48 > 0:56:53from half a metre to two metres in their first year!
0:56:53 > 0:56:59They seem to be doing well here, which is even more reason for us to learn to live alongside them.
0:57:00 > 0:57:06As summer draws to a close in Swaziland, and the cooler, African winter begins,
0:57:06 > 0:57:10the mambas will slow down a bit and are less likely to travel very far.
0:57:12 > 0:57:19And Thea and Clifton will get a few months respite, before next summer's snake season begins all over again.
0:57:19 > 0:57:22Ah! HE LAUGHS
0:57:23 > 0:57:26Piggy, piggy, piggy! Come.
0:57:27 > 0:57:31I'll keep going until more people become involved
0:57:31 > 0:57:35or until I've removed all the snakes that are problematic.
0:57:38 > 0:57:40PHONE RINGS
0:57:40 > 0:57:42Hello. Thea.
0:57:45 > 0:57:47Say that again.
0:57:47 > 0:57:53Don't go anywhere near it, just keep an eye on it and we'll come as quickly as we can.
0:57:53 > 0:57:57No, we're leaving straight away. Bye. Let's go.
0:57:57 > 0:57:59It's a mamba in somebody's house.
0:58:01 > 0:58:03Let's go, let's go.
0:58:03 > 0:58:06It would be nice if we could finish a cup of coffee once.
0:58:10 > 0:58:15This lady was seriously panicking, apparently it's in her bathroom.
0:58:15 > 0:58:18Interestingly enough, the statistics show that in March,
0:58:18 > 0:58:21there are more snakebites in March than any other month.
0:58:21 > 0:58:24PHONE RINGS Oh, not another one!
0:58:41 > 0:58:44Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd