On August the 24th I attended at the ECPTA (Eastern Cape Parks Tourism Association) Field Rangers Day at Thomas Baines Nature Reserve, to showcase some of the reptiles found in the Albany area. I represented ZEML (Zoology and Entomology Molecular Lab) along with my supervisor; Dr Shelley Edwards and my lab colleague Anthony Evlambiou. We were also joined by members of CBC (Centre for Biological Control), who showcased some of the invasive plants found in the area.

The day was a great success and our stand, that comprised of snakes and lizards, was well received by all who attended, with most of the rangers in attendance taking the opportunity to handle their first snake. The event was covered by the Grocotts Mail, and if you look at the front page of the attached article (https://www.pressreader.com/south-africa/grocotts-mail), you will see Shieva, Grahamstown’s most famous brown house snake, perched upon the hands of a brave field ranger.