Catcher and daughter heartbroken after Burmese python bludgeoned to death

A SNAKE catcher and his daughter were left heartbroken after being called out to rescue a Burmese python but they were not early enough to prevent a group of children from stoning and beating the reptile to death.

- THOBEKA NGEMA

Grant Cavanagh of Durban South Snake Rescue said that he and his daughter, Savannah, were called to do a rescue in Clermont.

"It was explained to me by a gentleman that they had spotted a very thick-bodied, yellow-coloured snake down near a tavern, close to a river," Cavanagh said.

He asked for a couple of pictures and realised it was an exotic python specie. Therefore, they made haste in attempting to rescue the snake, and it required weaving through peak-hour traffic.

They arrived at the scene and were directed towards the river by one of the locals.

"On the way down (to the river), the gentleman explained that some of the local children had thrown rocks at it, and tried to hit it with a plank. My daughter very calmly told me to expect the worst. And that it was," Cavanagh said.