Gauteng Guides Association

Next course dates are 30 June, 28 July, 25 August, 29 September, 27 October, and 24November 2012.

I present snake courses for the general public, outdoors people, field guides, farmers, snake keepers, doctors, vets, mining companies, developers, etc. In short, anybody that may come in contact with snakes or snakebite will benefit from these courses. These courses were researched and compiled after a number of people had approached me for information on snakebite and the handling of snakes. I have been catching snakes since 1965 and work professionally with venomous snakes as I extract venom for antivenom production & keep about 500 snakes for this purpose.

My courses are FGASA (Field Guides Association of Southern Africa) approved as specialist courses. Those that pass will receive a certificate with the FGASA emblem on it. The Snake ID and Snakebite Treatment course is also registered with the WITS CPD Office and medical doctors that pass the test can claim 5 CPD points (Continued Professional Development).

The Snake ID & Snakebite Treatment course starts at 08h00 - 12h30. It covers the identification of the dangerous snake, the symptoms of snakebite, the first aid treatment, medical treatment and allergy recognition and treatment. There are 2 tea breaks and lunch is from 12h30 - 13h00, and from 13h00 - 14h00 everybody will be writing their test. Cost for this course is R999.00 VAT inclusive per person.

After this it is the Venomous Snake Handling course which starts at 14h00 with a lecture and concludes at 17h00. Testing is practical handling of puff adder, Mozambique spitting cobra, ringkals & savannah cobra under my supervision, and verbal questions and answers as we do handling. Cost for this course is R616.00 VAT inclusive per person. I also offer an additional Black mamba handling course for those people that may have a need to handle black mambas at Lodges in the Bushveld. This is done at an additional cost of R450.00 VAT inclusive per person, and runs from 17h15 to 18h30.

I can also offer courses for interested groups or companies, and then the courses can be run during office hours at your premises & provided the group size is 15 people or more. Permits to transport snakes may have to be arranged beforehand. Keep this in mind. Past customers include Sasol, Anglo American, Anglo Coal, Anglo Gold Ashanti, BHP Billiton, Murray & Roberts, Johannesburg Water, Johannesburg Fresh Produce Market, Johannesburg Zoo and Eskom to name just a few.

Venue – This is the GPS coordinates: S 25° 56.726 minutes; E 28° 01.181 minutes.
African Reptiles and Venom is situated 8 km north from Fourways on the William Nicol extension, which becomes the R511. From the N1 (cement highway) take the William Nicol off ramp, and turn north away from Johannesburg. Pass Monte Casino on your right, pass the Fourways Mall on your left and go pass Indaba hotel on your left, cross 2 rivers the Jukskei river and the Diepsloot River. 900 meters after the second bridge, you will see a sign African Reptiles and Venom on your right hand. Turn in and park under the trees. The lectures are held in the lapa at the pool.

From Pretoria you will go towards Jo'burg and then take the R28/N14 towards Krugersdorp. Take the Hartebeespoort/Sandton off ramp. The off ramp makes a 180-degree bend. At the robot turn right towards Sandton. You will now be going pass the Diepsloot Township on your right. From the robot where you turned right, you will travel for about 4 km. Look out for the sign on your left that reads "African Reptiles and Venom". Turn in and park under the trees.

Snake Handling Equipment
I supply the 90 cm standard Pillstrom tong. Price inclusive of Vat is R1575.00. Also available are a 110 cm snake hook @ R450.00, and 140 cm snake hook @ R600.00 Vat inclusive. Snake holding tubes are R342.00 inclusive &Snakebite resistant gloves are R3995.70 a pair inclusive. For courier delivery in SA add R456.

Bank details for payments
ABSA bank Fourways, branch code is 632905, account number is 4049766352, and the account name is African Reptiles & Venom cc. To secure your place for a course on a particular date please contact me to enquire if there is place and then make the payment into the account.

AFRICAN REPTILES AND VENOM
Mike Perry
083 44 888 54 (cell)
0866973304 (fax)
mike@africanreptiles-venom.co.za