Richards Bay canal-goers be warned: Large croc has sparked safety fears

THE crocodile is estimated to weigh about 80kg and is around 2.5m long – just the right size to attack anything it identifies as potential prey, including children and fishermen who loiter on the banks of the Mzingazi Canal in the Medway Road/Green Africa area.

The full story by Dave Savides, including an interview with the local angler who spotted the animal, appears in the ZO Weekend Edition, on shelves today.

Have you spotted a dangerous wild animal while out with your family lately? Email us and let us know about your experience: zulobs@zob.co.za

Interesting facts about the Nile crocodile

• The proximity of much of its habitat to people means run-ins are frequent

• its virtually indiscriminate diet means a person washing clothes by a riverbank or fishing might look just as tasty as a migrating wildebeest

• firm numbers are sketchy, but estimates are that up to 200 people may die each year in the jaws of a Nile crocodile

• their diet is mainly fish, but it will attack almost anything unfortunate enough to cross its path, including zebras, small hippos, porcupines, birds, and other crocodiles

Source credit: National Geographic

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