Featured Image Credit: @NatashaBarnesArtist/Facebook
A group of friends heroically rescued a snarled snake that was receiving non-stop shocks after becoming stuck in an electric fence.
The nine-foot snake was caught on camera by Natasha Barnes having gotten stuck in the electric fence of a South African farm.
Barnes had been on a run with some friends in the greater Durban area approaching her seventh kilometre when she spotted the snagged serpent.
If I’d stumbled across such an enormous slithering and hissing reptile, let’s just say I’d have reached my all time personal best running pace, but instead Barnes and her friend decided to take on the role of knights in shining armour.
When she first saw the nine-foot serpent, Barnes thought it was dead. She told Newsweek: ‘But then while we stood there and watched the electric fence pulse through the poor creature we could see it move ever so slightly.’
Taking to Facebook, Barnes explained how the snake – which the group identified as an African Rock Python – was clearly ‘in distress’ and that the group ‘needed to think quickly’.
One runner, Penny Fourie, even touched the fence to test out just how strong the electric current was. Barnes noted how ‘many bad words’ followed as a result.
The runner went on to explain how African Rock pythons are ‘critically endangered’.
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South African python found stuck in an electric fence by a group of runners. (Natasha Barnes/ Facebook)
While the snakes aren’t venomous, their bite is reported as packing quite the painful punch. However, unless strongly provoked, it is rare for the breed of snake to strike.
‘The snake was getting weaker. Runners made a plan. The farm manager arrived. Switched of the electricity and cut the fence, and we set him free,’ Barnes detailed, alongside footage showing the several helping hands hard at work.
Reflecting on the surprising ‘little side adventure’ to her ‘usual Saturday run’ of an impressive 20km, Barnes said: ‘I’m pleased to have done one thing today that will make a difference.
‘Thank you to everyone who put there heads together and saved this beautiful creature. Thank you to Nick Evans our resident snake whisperer for the advice on the phone and for the whole team who sprang into action to get the fences turn off and the wires cut. ESPECIALLY Aiden & Sabelo.’
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South African python found stuck in an electric fence is rescued by a group of runners. (Natasha Barnes/ Facebook)
Nick Evans, a local snake catcher and expert, was called by the group when they came across the snake, and as detailed by Barnes was instrumental in its rescue.
Evans concluded: ‘For this beautiful, big specimen to be saved, was so important. Hopefully, it lives a good life, and has learned to avoid electric fences! It was so encouraging to see that this group cared so much. I see a lot of cruelty towards snakes every day. Seeing people go out of their way like this, with such determination, was just brilliant.’