Bay crocodile evades arrest

DESPITE around-the-clock surveillance and a network of informants, the Small Craft Harbour crocodile continues to evade arrest.

Law enforcement and Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife are working closely in monitoring the crocodile on a daily basis, with the conservation authority planting a baited trap at the reptile’s favourite haunts.

It was first seen in the marina about three weeks ago, and has since been spotted sunning itself on the recreational beach at Small

Craft Harbour, as well as in numerous places between there and the commercial slipway on Naval Island.

There is some speculation on the reason the crocodile has come into the marina, including that it could be a male which lost a territorial fight with another male, and needs to find a new territory.

According to those monitoring the beast, it is most likely that it will move on as summer arrives and the waterways become busier.

Both crocs and hippos live in Lake Mzingazi and the canal.

Until then, or until the reptile is trapped and safely relocated, whichever comes first, there is strictly no swimming in the immediate vicinity in which it has been seen, as well as surrounding areas.

The sport and recreational clubs have notified their members that all open water swimming is banned until further notice.

Despite the heat of the weekend, residents making use of Pelican Island and the Bay Hall area paid heed to the warnings and stayed out of the water.

Readers have their say

When posed with the question of whether or not the crocodile should be trapped and relocated, ZO readers were split in their answers, while some erred on the humorous side.

‘Yes, all wild animals should be left alone. ‘If you don’t want to be eaten by a crocodile, don’t go into the crocodile’s kitchen,’ said Nadia Maree van der Merwe.

Logan Pillay’s view was in favour of the croc’s removal.

‘I think for the safety of the wild animal and the public, the crocodile should be caught and relocated to a more suitable place,’ he said.

Dawna Rankin saw it from a different perspective when she said, ‘I think most of the people who are commenting and saying it should be left alone are people with pools at their homes. The ones who don’t have pools go to the beach and the croc is a danger to them.’

Speaking for the reptile, Embokotarih Zee said, ‘Imagine being forced out of your house. ‘Your own house! Let it stay there.’

Reash Brijlal, on the other hand, added a touch of humour to the situation.

‘He is from Croc World. He hitched a ride on the back of my truck. He will be going back home for the weekend. Please don’t remove him.’

The crocodile, however, did not go ‘home’ to Croc World for the weekend as it was spotted in the vicinity of Richards Bay Ski Boat Club on Friday night.

By Saturday night, it had continued to evade arrest so the swimming ban in the vicinity remains in place.

Residents reminisce

Richards Bay residents, both current and former, shared some of their wildlife memories with the ZO when the arrival of the crocodile was first announced.

‘Way back in the early 1950s we often spent holidays at Richards Bay and Mtunzini. On occasion we saw crocs in the shallows of the surf just off the beach. The hotel staff caught a small one and it was sent to the Snake Park in Durban. Wonder if it’s still there 70 years later. Fishing in the bay from rowing boats was excellent and exciting due to the presence of crocs and the occasional hippo,’said George Couperthwaite.

Suzette Rautenbach said she knows of crocs being present, usually in the yacht club vicinity, since 2004.

Others simply reacted warmly to the wildlife that can be seen in Richards Bay, as Lunga Mdletshe said, ‘If it’s not hippos, it’s crocs!’