Emergencies

Immature Cormorants landing on beaches or gardens

Place in cardboard box (using gloves) and kept as quiet as possible. Report such birds to SANCCOB at 021 557 6155 or 078 638 638 3731, givingyour name and contact number, photograph (if possible) and the location. They will then contact the rangers at Stony Pointin order to try and arrange to get the bird(s) transported to SANCCOB in Milnerton.

Penguin rescue line – 072 598 7117

What to do if you find a stranded penguin or seabird? A penguin on the beach or on the rocks outside of a colony is normally a penguin in trouble.

• Keep dogs and people away
• Do not feed the bird
• Do not put the bird back into the water
• Phone the penguin rescue line
• The rescue co-ordinator will provide further instructions

Snake removals – 028 314 0062 (Cape Nature)

What to do if you come across a snake in a residential area?

• Call your nearest CapeNature regional office or your nearest nature conservation authority and you will be put in contact with an authorised snake handler.
• Keep your distance from the snake, while watching its movements. Take note of what it is doing and where it is going.
• Clear the area and keep everyone, including dogs, away from the snake.

Snakebite poison hotline – 021 913 2010

Emergency protocol to follow in the event of a snake bite. What to do:

• Phone the Tygerberg Hospital Poison Hotline at 021 913 2010 for advice on what to do in the event of a snake bite. Remember it is always useful to know what type of snake has been involved.
• Keep the victim calm and immobilised. Immobilise the limb if the bite occurred on an arm or a leg, and transport the victim to the closest hospital at the very earliest convenience.
• If the victim has difficulty with or stops breathing, resort to artificial respiration or cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
• Provide as much information on the incident as possible (time of the bite, the type of snake involved – if it can be identified, and any information on the patient’s reaction to the bite, bearing in mind that a bite by a non-venomous snake can also result in a patient showing symptoms of shock and anxiety or angst.

What not to do:

• Do not cut and try to suck venom from the wound as it will not help.
• Do not use ice or very hot water.
• Do not give the victim alcohol as this will merely assist the spread of the venom.
• Do not apply electric shock.
• Do not inject anti-venom randomly. It needs to be administered by a doctor in a hospital environment. If administered by non-medically trained personnel, it may lead to severe allergic reaction, anaphylactic shock and further complications for the patient.

Dealing with baboons

Here are some tips for dealing with baboons in your home.

• First and foremost, you must  make it obvious that you are confident and serious about getting them out.
• Never try to get food back from a baboon. It will fight to keep it.
• Back off slowly and identify the baboons’ shortest escape route.
• To coax a stubborn baboon out of your house, try using a water spray bottle. Never use anything stronger than water, as they might react negatively.
• Baboons must never be trapped or cornered. Always make sure there is an easilly accessible escape route such as open doors or windows