Or what the EH&S people never mention …

Every site has its own peculiarities, be they environmental, geographical or cultural. At Al Mansour, I suppose that Naja haje (the Egyptian Cobra – الكوبرا المصرية ) comes under environmental. One of the best things about working in different countries is to see the indigenous species in their natural(ish) habitats; in Egypt I have been fortunate to see a range of wildlife, from migrating Storks and Steppe Eagles in the skies to Jackals rushing across a desert road and Reef- and Oceanic Whitetip sharks in the Red Sea. Surprisingly, I’ve never seen a scorpion, but I’m told they’re frequently found in Upper Egypt. They must be avoiding me!

What I wasn’t prepared for was a cobra in the security office!

This specimen had found its way into the compound from the fields which surround the MRF on three sides, whether the snake lived in a neighbouring paddy field or used the irrigation canals to get around, it obviously decided that it would have an easier life in a waste yard. That was until Security Guy’s dogs found it one morning. After displaying the snake to all and sundry, I fear the guard had a more robust solution than simply returning it to its lair. It’s not would I would do, but I don’t live with them every day…