How The Ewe Got Involved In a Serious Fight With The Python Snake!
SUGAR FOR SHOCK
In Sabiepark there are many more houses than duikers. Sadly, the number of houses increase while the duikers become fewer. Almost every house, however, has its “own” duiker. The owners each assume “ownership”, even if “their” little duiker is shared by others. “Your” duiker is not “backward in coming forward”. How they know to whom they “belong”, is a mystery. But you hardly touch ground, before they appear to welcome you.
Humans have a natural affinity to these loner small antelope with its short straight backward-pointing horns, pointed hooves and arched back. A duiker, on the other hand, display a praiseworthy loyalty – and a childlike dependence that touches the heart. Strong bonds of friendship grow in this way. Some of the most heart-warming tales are told about relations between humans and duikers.
The story of Bok-Bok began five, six years ago
The story of Bok-Bok is a gripping example. It began five, six years ago. Annatjie Strydom of Rustig (erf 333, off Apiesdoring Avenue) heard a strange sound while working in her small garden next to the lapa. It sounded like a continuous moaning of something or someone in great distress. Slowly, she tip-toed closer to the sound. She was oh, so cautious. What if a leopard should suddenly appear? But she moved on as if drawn by a magnet.
Slowly, carefully she stole through the dry little water-course behind their lapa. The moaning became softer, she realised. At the very moment she became aware of other sounds, sounding like a struggle. Then she saw a duiker ewe running up and down the bank. In a ditch was a python. The ewe seemed to be involved in a serious fight with the snake. The brave little duiker ran down the bank, jumped on the python and kicked at it. Then she ran uphill. Then down again. She kicked and kicked. Annatjie was petrified. She noticed that the snake had a little duiker lamb in its deadly coils. Every time the lamb bleated, the grip tightened. The python intensified its stranglehold until the little head seemed to sink lifeless to the ground. The hind legs gave a last, weak spasm.
The snake and duiker battle was unfair
The tragic lot of the little duiker distressed Annatjie immensely. The battle was unfair. Annatjie only knew that she wanted nothing more than to to rescue the little lamb from constriction – the mother was persisting bravely, but seemingly to no avail. Annatjie detected the presence of a field warden, Ferros, near the house. “Please, Ferros, come help,” she shouted. At that stage her husband, Dawie, and daughter, Lientjie, also arrived on the scene.
“Ouboet, please come and help me,” she pleaded. Dawie hesitated. Nature had to take its course, was his first reaction. The field warden agreed. To cross swords with a killer snake, was not something Ferros wished to do. “Let us rather move away,” was his advice. But the Strydoms stood rooted to the spot. After a while Lientjie fetched the camera. She only had two exposures left. Dawie took a photo of the snake coiled around the little duiker, which seemed just about finished. Its little tongue protruded from its mouth.
A MATTER OF LIFE AND
DEATH. A young python coiled around a little duiker lamb (Photo: Dawie
Strydom).