'He passed away in my arms' - wife of legendary snake catcher
Rico Pentz was on a call-out on Sunday when a Cobra bit him. He was immediately taken to hospital where he died.
Condolences continue to pour in for the family of Rico Pentz (39), a well-known Stellenbosch vet technician and snake catcher who died on Sunday after a bite from a Cape Cobra.
Pentz founded Helderberg Wildlife Rescue and worked at Eagle Encounters (a non-profit wildlife conservation organisation) at Spier Estate.
People who worked with Pentz describe him as a 'legend'.
His wife Eva Nelipot Freedom paid tribute to him on her Facebook page, describing how he passed away in her arms and calling him the love of her life.
In 2018, a puffadder bit the father-of-three, causing him to require skin grafts, which he covered with a tattoo.
Since his passing, friends and colleagues of the animal lover have set up a Back-a-Buddy page to help support his family who are under considerable financial strain.
A post from Eagle Encounters on Monday read:
"We are sharing a campaign to raise funds for Rico's funeral and medical bills. Any donation, no matter how small, will go a long way towards helping Rico's family cover the expenses they are facing. By donating and/or sharing this post, we can honour Rico's memory and assist his loved ones."