Winter Reptile Weekend - KZN

[Bushbaby]

We are pleased to announce that we will be hosting a Winter Reptile Weekend.

What this entails is back to back courses. Here are the details:

Saturday 23 August 2014 we will be hosting a Snake Identification and Bite Treatment Course, as well as a Venomous Snake Handling Course.

This course covers all the venomous snakes as well as semi-venomous snakes in RSA and was the first of it's kind and has been presented since 1999. You will be taught how to identify them from other snakes, what venom they possess, their distribution, habitat and how to treat their bites. You will receive all the necessary course material on the day. You will be shown images of all the dangerous snakes and snake bite studies. You will write exams after the course and successful candidates will later receive certificates.

Immediately after this will be the snake handling course. This course has been attended by zoo staff, field guides, game rangers, herpetologist and hobbyist. All of them rate this course, as one of their most valuable skills learnt to date. This course is aimed at people that come into contact with snakes and other reptiles in the field or for people wanting to learn more on how to handle snakes and reptiles in a responsible and safe manner. The course is both theory and practical and each candidate will have the opportunity to handle a non-venomous and venomous snakes.

You will be lectured on the various methods of handling venomous snakes as well as shown in practical demonstrations. Safe husbandry practises when venomous snakes are concerned is also discussed and explained as well as various equipment is demonstrated.

The safe handling of venomous snakes in captivity is also included. You will be lectured on the do's and don’ts, as well as the golden rules. All candidates must sign indemnification forms and minors need their parents / guardians permission and signature.

This course is run under strict supervision, and two snake wranglers are present at all times during practical assessment.

This is a must for all serious herpetologists!

Successful candidates will receive certificates.

Coffee, tea, sandwiches and a light lunch are included.

Costs : R800 per person
Venue: New Germany Nature Reserve.
Time: 08:30 till approximately 16:00pm

Sunday 24 August 2014 we will be hosting a Reptile Husbandry Course.

At last ..... a proper course for the reptile hobbyist !

This course covers the following topics:

General Husbandry, caging, heating, breeding, assist feeding ........
Health care, including tubing, medicating etc ...
Breeding, probing, pop sexing, incubation and some personal breeding tips!

Successful candidates will receive certificates.

Coffee, tea, sandwiches and a light lunch are included.

Costs : R800 per person
Venue: New Germany Nature Reserve.
Time: 08:30 till approximately 12:00pm (Thereafter the ARK braai will be taking place).

Should you wish to attend both days, the costs will be R1 500 per person.

Limited seats are available so book early to avoid disappointment.

Contact me at courses@snakebiteassist.co.za

[Bushviper]

I will include the safe captive handling of snakes with the Husbandry course as well. This is not the same as the snake capturing courses everyone else is advertising. This is far beyond "grab it with a set of tongs and put it in a bucket". If any of you keep venomous snakes it is worth your while to attend and is far cheaper than just a visit to the ER.

[Bushbaby]

Hi guys
Just a reminder we still have space available. Please pop me a pm or an e-mail to book.

Thanks

[Bushbaby]

Hi All,

I need to start confirming numbers. Should you be interested in attending one, or both of the courses we will be hosting, please e-mail me at courses@snakebiteassist.co.za to confirm.

Thank you