Croc 'could become more aggro'

2008-01-16 12:25

Durban - It's mating season for crocodiles and wildlife officials on Wednesday said they were intensifying their efforts to find a monstrous four-metre crocodile, suspected of eating two northern KwaZulu-Natal residents in recent weeks.

There are fears among Ezemvelo Wildlife officials that if the crocodile is a female she may have already laid eggs. A nesting crocodile may display increased aggression.

Early in January, a 15-year-old boy who was fishing with his 11-year-old friend was dragged into the water and eaten by a crocodile at the Sibhicayi River in the Mduku area.

Ezemvelo spokesperson Maureen Zimu said that prior to this another resident was attacked and eaten by a suspected six metre long crocodile.

Could be aggressive

It was later established that the crocodile was four metres long.

Zimu said officials believed the same crocodile was responsible for both attacks.

The organisation said its efforts to find the crocodile had been intensified.

"If there is a nest, the crocodile may be a bit more aggressive. Residents have been warned to stay far away from the river and the river edge.

"A crocodile generally goes to the edge of a river, digs a hole and lays its eggs. It will then sit nearby and watch like a hawk that no one goes near its nest... they are very clever," Zimu explained.

A crocodile may sit in the same spot for up to three weeks and watch the activities.

Police and wildlife officials have confirmed that the crocodile and its suspected nest had not yet been found.

Police spokesperson Captain Jabulani Mdletshe said a problem in capturing the reptile was that the meat bait being used had twice been stolen.

He said police had not yet apprehended the meat thief.

- SAPA