SANParks.org Forums

FAQ

View unanswered posts | View active topics

Board index » Special Interests » Reptiles, Amphibians and Fish

All times are UTC + 2 hours

Snake: Boomslang/Common African Tree-

Page 3 of 6

[ 80 posts ]

Go to page Previous 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 Next

Print view

Previous topic | First unread post | Next topic

Author

Message

christo

Post subject: Re: Rare snakebite at Talamati

Posted: Tue Feb 03, 2009 8:06 pm

Virtual Ranger

Joined: Sat Nov 26, 2005 3:28 pm
Posts: 726
Location: Bloemfontein, RSA

Glad to hear he is ok.

_________________
To change ones life start immideately. Do it flamboyantly. No exceptions.

Top

kathy sa

Post subject: Re: Rare snakebite at Talamati

Posted: Tue Feb 03, 2009 8:12 pm

Virtual Ranger

Joined: Sat Feb 18, 2006 8:09 am
Posts: 802
Location: gauteng

Also glad he is ok....I wondered why he had to travel all the way back to Johannesburg?

Top

francoisd

Post subject: Re: Rare snakebite at Talamati

Posted: Wed Feb 04, 2009 8:31 am

Distinguished Virtual Ranger

Joined: Thu Dec 23, 2004 1:38 pm
Posts: 1989

Some more news from Wiggie posted to SABirdNet at 11:59 on Tuesday 3 Feb. I get the digest version so only saw it this morning.

Quote:

Morning Everyone

Tuesday's news on Geoff.

Professor Graham Alexander, the herpetologist from Wits University, has seen Geoff, and told him that it'll be 5 or 6 days before he's out of the woods. He's also confused as to the symptoms, and said it's not typical of a Boomslang bite, so if anyone has a good photo of the snake in the tree on the Saturday, please let me know, so you can pass it on to Graham for him to get a better idea of what the snake looked like/size etc. The question has to be asked as to whether it was in fact the actual culprit.

I spoke to a Dr. Roger Blaylock this morning, who's one of the foremost authorities in South Africa on the management of snakebites (he's apparently had dealings with Milpark regarding Geoff), and says Geoff is fine. His blood count has improved, and a count for an iron-something (didn't get the medical term!) in the blood, which should be at 1.0, is now down to 1.3.

Having said that, his kidney's have stopped functioning, and he's going to go onto dialysis. They're not sure if it's the venom or the serum that has caused this, but Geoff is quite cheerful, and seems as though he'll have to work through a process before being all clear!

The Star and Die Beeld visited him yesterday, and there are articles and photo's of his "dirty foot" (Cynthia's words, not mine!) in the papers this morning.

I'll update you all once I've heard more.

All the best
Wiggie.

_________________
"The measure of life is not its duration but its donation." - Peter Marshall
www.flickr.com/groups/birdssa

Top

Guinea Pig

Post subject: Re: Rare snakebite at Talamati

Posted: Wed Feb 04, 2009 9:11 am

Senior Virtual Ranger

Joined: Sat Jan 29, 2005 12:52 pm
Posts: 1765
Location: My business...

Eish, that's the trouble with snakebites. If it doesn't kill you outright it messes up your entire system. Thanks for keeping us updated Francois.

Top

Meandering Mouse

Post subject: Re: Rare snakebite at Talamati

Posted: Wed Feb 04, 2009 9:38 am

Legendary Virtual Ranger

Joined: Tue Jun 07, 2005 8:47 pm
Posts: 10357
Location: meandering between senility and menopause
FAC Member (2011)

I suppose, because the bite is so rare, it would be difficult to know what to expect.

_________________
The bird doesn't sing because it has answers, it sings because it has a song.

Top

Guinea Pig

Post subject: Re: Rare snakebite at Talamati

Posted: Wed Feb 04, 2009 11:18 am

Senior Virtual Ranger

Joined: Sat Jan 29, 2005 12:52 pm
Posts: 1765
Location: My business...

The Boomslang is a back-fanged species with small fixed fangs set far back on the jawbone, usually under the eyes.

Bites are very rare, usually amateur and professional handlers being the victims. The boomslang has variable colour - from uniform green (usually male) to brown, black or brick red.

It's seen most during the day, very shy and non-aggressive. The common or polyvalent antivenom doesn't neutralize its venom so a one of a kind or monovalent antivenom has to be used. It can only be obtained in confirmed cases of Boomslang bites. [Please, I am not a fundi on snakes so stand corrected on any errors. I am fascinated by them and have a collection of info I thought may be useful. The pics are NOT mine. The skeleton comes from a pamphlet given to me by a family member who was a handler. The snake from my field guide.]

Top

Penny

Post subject: Geoff Lockwood bitten by a boomslang at Talamati

Posted: Wed Feb 04, 2009 6:49 pm

Junior Virtual Ranger

Joined: Sat Jan 15, 2005 1:29 pm
Posts: 852
Location: Durban, Kwa Zulu Natal, SA

According to the Natal Mercury of Tuesday 3rd February the renowned ornithologist Geoff Lockwood was bitten by a boomslang at Talamati camp whilst photographing an owl in camp. Being experienced he knew that time was on his side so opted for the 500 km drive home to be treated at the Milpark Hospital.

_________________
NO BAIL - JAIL AND NO TRADE IN RHINO HORN EVER!
NO TO BUILDING OF HOTELS IN THE KRUGER NATIONAL PARK
Birthday at Amakhosi Safari Lodge
27 Sept to 11 Oct - Burchells and Ngwenya - KNP
The addiction is fed once again

Top

Elsa

Post subject: Re: Geoff Lockwood bitten by a boomslang at Talamati

Posted: Wed Feb 04, 2009 9:24 pm

Moderator

Joined: Tue Mar 22, 2005 6:31 pm
Posts: 7211
Location: Ballito, KZN North Coast, South Africa
FAC Member (2011)

Hi Penny,
you can read more about this incident and his progress Here

_________________
Where ever you go, go with all your Heart.

Kruger - Feb 6th - 22rd - 2013 &
May 24th - June 15th -2013.

Top

Rusty Justy

Post subject: Re: Boomslang

Posted: Wed Feb 04, 2009 10:17 pm

Junior Virtual Ranger

Joined: Tue Sep 16, 2008 11:11 pm
Posts: 2960
Location: Sunninghill(JHB), Vaalwater & Beauty(Waterberg), Grahamstown(E.C)

Glad to hear he is ok

_________________
:dance:

STIFFNECKS MEMBER :dance:

FGASA LEVEL 1

Top

Guinea Pig

Post subject: Re: Boomslang

Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2009 6:54 am

Senior Virtual Ranger

Joined: Sat Jan 29, 2005 12:52 pm
Posts: 1765
Location: My business...

Francoisd is keeping us posted with his condition in Chit-chat under the thread 'Rare snakebite at Talamati'. Sorry, I can't post links from my cellphone.

Top

Pjw

Post subject: Re: Rare snakebite at Talamati

Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2009 12:37 pm

Senior Virtual Ranger

Joined: Sun Jan 20, 2008 2:52 pm
Posts: 3523
Location: Africa's Largest City

Thanks for that info GP

_________________
Pat
"Don't accept your dog's admiration as conclusive evidence that you are wonderful (Ann Landers)
When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it. ( Henry Ford)

Top

Meandering Mouse

Post subject: Re: Rare snakebite at Talamati

Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2009 1:05 pm

Legendary Virtual Ranger

Joined: Tue Jun 07, 2005 8:47 pm
Posts: 10357
Location: meandering between senility and menopause
FAC Member (2011)

I do think that it is very valuable information.

_________________
The bird doesn't sing because it has answers, it sings because it has a song.

Top

oddesy

Post subject: Re: Rare snakebite at Talamati

Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2009 1:22 pm

Virtual Ranger

Joined: Wed Jan 02, 2008 4:57 pm
Posts: 3426
Location: Randburg, SA

Thanks GP! :thumbs_up:

_________________
The beginning of knowledge is the discovery of something we do not understand.

"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit." Aristotle

Top

Spotted Cat

Post subject: Re: Rare snakebite at Talamati

Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2009 9:54 am

Senior Virtual Ranger

Joined: Mon May 28, 2007 8:25 am
Posts: 4250
Location: Where hippos, crocs and sharks meet ...

Thank you for the update Francois! Will keep him in my thoughts and prayers for a speedy and full recovery!

Will constantly pop in here to see if there is more news.

_________________
"Happiness is like jam. You can't spread even a little without getting some on yourself."

Top

mosij

Post subject: Re: Rare snakebite at Talamati

Posted: Sat Feb 07, 2009 2:36 pm

Joined: Mon Aug 11, 2008 12:51 pm
Posts: 67
Location: Johannesburg

My SO & I popped in to see Geoff this morning. Whilst he's not out of the woods yet all the signs are enouraging and he's looking good and feeling much better than the numbers on his blood work would suggest and his kidney function is slowly improving.

What's even better is that his sense of humour has definitely survived - he told us he'd been 'standing on his soap box' the previous day disputing the fact that you had to shove your hand down a boomslangs throat to get bitten, if only he'd know he'd have added 'stick around until tomorrow & I'll show you!'

He also said that the messages & good wishes were fantastic & thanks to everyone for their support

Top

Page 3 of 6

[ 80 posts ]

Go to page Previous 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 Next

Board index » Special Interests » Reptiles, Amphibians and Fish

All times are UTC + 2 hours

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 2 guests

You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot post attachments in this forum

Jump to:

Webcams Highlights

Addo	Nossob	Orpen	Satara

Submitted by Foxy at 21:42:04	Submitted by grannyb at 20:46:01	Submitted by Anonymous at 18:54:19	Submitted by nicholaslw58 at 23:33:16

SANParks - Africa's Premier Wildlife Tourism Destinations

SANParks.org Forums

Snake: Boomslang/Common African Tree-

Who is online

Webcams Highlights