Following obstacles which almost marked the renowned Living Desert Snake Park at Swakopmund bidding farewell to the Coast and Erongo Region, the light at the end of the tunnel came through.
The Snake Park in Swakopmund found themselves “homeless” after they were served with an eviction notice effective at the end of February this year after their premises at Libertine Amathila Avenue in Swakopmund had to make way for a major development in the said area which is currently ongoing.
Namib Times reported that at that stage the Snake Park accommodated about 69 animals (95% snakes) in their care and finding a suitable premises to relocate proofed to be more difficult than anticipated. Owners, Stretch Combrink and Angela Curtis asked for the public and business fraternity’s assistance in helping them find a suitable and affordable premises before the eviction date, but all seemed in vain and they were almost ready to give up and set up homebase at Mount Etjo Safari Lodge in the Otjiwarongo area, bidding farewell to 30 years of existence at the coast.
Their Knight in Shining Armour, in the form of the Swakopmund Adventure Park & Paintball Centre owned by well-known Swakopmund resident and businessman, Mr Peter von Ginckel however came through, and the Snake Park is currently relocated next to the Paintball Centre after Von Ginckel decided to assist them with a premises. During an interview with Von Ginckel he noted that he was following the reports published by Namib Times on the Snake Park’s dilemma and decided to step in as it seemed like no one was willing to come to the rescue of this prominent tourist attraction at the Coast. “The Swakopmund Aquarium seems like a lost case, and I just could not sit by and watch idly our town losing another vital tourist attraction,” Von Ginkel remarked.
The Living Desert Snake Park had a “soft opening” last Saturday and the date for their official opening adjacent to the Swakopmund Paintball Centre will be announced soon. An ecstatic Stretch and Angela told Namib Times that since relocating, they’ve hosted their first school educational visit on Wednesday. Immanuel Ruiters Primary school from Walvis Bay took the honours.
The Living Desert Snake Park plays a huge part in educational information regarding wildlife and conservancy with school groups, locals and tourists frequently visiting the Park to gain first-hand experience of this magnificent animals’ behaviours.
The Snake Park is open from 9:00 to 17:00 on weekdays and Saturdays, and from 10:00 to 16:00 on Sundays and public holidays. They are situated at the Swakopmund Adventure Park & Paintball Centre in Strand Street South.
By Marshallino Beukes
