Eevelsmf
11-21-2003, 12:24 AM
I received a hotline call late last night to Cave Creek. This isn't exactly my area, but Kristina and Micah realised this was something of an urgent matter.
Turns out a lady had called over a disturbed hibernating WDB. The houseowners had lifted a dead tree, and the snake was in a burrow underneath it. They placed a wire chicken coop/cage over the groggy snake to protect it, and then provided shade from the sun. Then they rang the hotline. But...nobody was available to remove the snake!!!
Kristina called me after I had got home from work, around 8pm. She explained that the snake had, by now, got cought in the wire mesh of the coop. This occured around 2pm. The poor animal had been trapped for over six hours!! I called the houseowners. The poor lady was close to tears thinking she had killed the snake trying to protect it. By now it was also getting very cold. I drove over to the house, almost 22 miles from where I live, to find the snake hanging limp in the wire.
By this time, the husband Jeff, was home. Realising that the snake was stuck fast, I explained that this was a very, very bad situation, and that the only way I could save the exhausted snake, was to cut the wire. This would be risky, and difficult, as I would have both hands full restraining the three foot snake. To his credit, the houseowner Jeff, without any hesitation, said he wanted to help. So, whilst I gently restrained the Diamondbnack, he carefully snipped the wire from around the snakes body. After a few anxious minutes, the snake was free. We placed it in a screwtop bucket, and put it in the warm van. After a good rest, I released the animal a distance away.
I have done nearly a hundred hotline calls this year. Most, but not all, involve disgust, fear and repulsion for snakes, and desert dwellers in general. This family showed compassion, understanding and a wiilingness to learn about the desert and all of its wildlife. Jeff showed some nuts too, 'cos not everyone will get that close to a rattlesnake to save its life. On top of all that....he then made a $30 donation to the club. Outstanding.
Janice and Jeff, I hope you read this. I always give credit where it's due. You made a difference. Not just in saving an animal, but in helping me get back a little faith in people. The negative responses I get at some of these calls often drives me insane. You reminded that not everybody is the same. Thank you. :)
Turns out a lady had called over a disturbed hibernating WDB. The houseowners had lifted a dead tree, and the snake was in a burrow underneath it. They placed a wire chicken coop/cage over the groggy snake to protect it, and then provided shade from the sun. Then they rang the hotline. But...nobody was available to remove the snake!!!
Kristina called me after I had got home from work, around 8pm. She explained that the snake had, by now, got cought in the wire mesh of the coop. This occured around 2pm. The poor animal had been trapped for over six hours!! I called the houseowners. The poor lady was close to tears thinking she had killed the snake trying to protect it. By now it was also getting very cold. I drove over to the house, almost 22 miles from where I live, to find the snake hanging limp in the wire.
By this time, the husband Jeff, was home. Realising that the snake was stuck fast, I explained that this was a very, very bad situation, and that the only way I could save the exhausted snake, was to cut the wire. This would be risky, and difficult, as I would have both hands full restraining the three foot snake. To his credit, the houseowner Jeff, without any hesitation, said he wanted to help. So, whilst I gently restrained the Diamondbnack, he carefully snipped the wire from around the snakes body. After a few anxious minutes, the snake was free. We placed it in a screwtop bucket, and put it in the warm van. After a good rest, I released the animal a distance away.
I have done nearly a hundred hotline calls this year. Most, but not all, involve disgust, fear and repulsion for snakes, and desert dwellers in general. This family showed compassion, understanding and a wiilingness to learn about the desert and all of its wildlife. Jeff showed some nuts too, 'cos not everyone will get that close to a rattlesnake to save its life. On top of all that....he then made a $30 donation to the club. Outstanding.
Janice and Jeff, I hope you read this. I always give credit where it's due. You made a difference. Not just in saving an animal, but in helping me get back a little faith in people. The negative responses I get at some of these calls often drives me insane. You reminded that not everybody is the same. Thank you. :)