Farmer banned from recapturing crocs
2013-02-08 10:00
Johannesburg - A Limpopo farmer from whose farm thousands of
crocodiles escaped during recent flooding has been banned from recapturing
them, Beeld reported on Friday.
Zane Langman, owner of the Rakwena crocodile farm in the
Pontdrif area, told the paper on Thursday he was negotiating with the
environmental affairs department about its decision.
"They told us we weren't allowed to capture crocodiles
from the Limpopo River before we're given permission, because we can't prove
ownership of the animals."
The crocodiles made world headlines when about 7 000 of them
escaped into the Limpopo River when it burst its banks.
Langman said he had recaptured about 3 000 of the reptiles
on his farm and in the surrounding areas during the past three weeks, but the
rest were in the Limpopo river and its tributaries.
Environmental affairs department spokesperson Wisani
Shilenge could not be reached for comment.
Meanwhile, the National SPCA said in a statement the way in
which the crocodiles were caught was inhumane.
The organisation's Nazareth Appalsamy said inspectors had
observed the crocodiles being shocked with stun guns to make it easier to catch
them.
Rakwena exports crocodile skins to Italy, and sells the meat
locally.
- SAPA
