By Gavin Hudson •
May 9, 2009
Recently, we published famed conservationist Dr. Ian Player’s story of his 60 year long struggle to save St. Lucia Lake in South Africa. In 1970, the lake had become so salty it was killing the crocodiles. Dr. Player and his colleagues found themselves wrestling 1,000 Lb crocodiles and airlifting the animals by helicopter to a safer home. Here, with excerpts from Dr. Player’s story, are the photos of that rescue. Read Dr. Player’s full story at WILD.
“In April 1970 there was a headline that St Lucia would be dead in a few months. This led to a furious Chairman of the Parks Board, Mr. Wood, making a statement in which, inter-alia, he said that he, ‘did not accept the Lake would soon be dead.’ But the Northern section was already dead, with more crocodiles dying daily, and the stench of death was overpowering. Newspaper articles appeared almost daily about the lake and the salinity, and letters were written to the press urging more practical solutions.”
By Alex Felsinger •
February 18, 2009
The parents of a 5-year-old Australian boy who was eaten by a 14-foot-long crocodile have asked authorities not to euthanize the animal, presumably recognizing that the crocodile was merely protecting its river home from an intruder.
The parents run a crocodile sight-seeing business, so it seems that they must understand that the animal is not vicious or sick. The animal will be sent to a zoo or park, but unfortunately will not be released back into the wild.
By Allison Boyer •
February 4, 2009
According to reports, the floods destroying Queensland and other parts of Australia are now causing an even bigger problem - crocodiles in the streets.
One 5′3″ crocodile was hit by a car earlier this week, and there are reports of more of the large reptiles washing into the area. From Yahoo! News:
The army has been called in to help with rescue and recovery efforts, while three reports of large crocodiles washed
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By Dave Harcourt •
December 30, 2008
Overutilisation and pollution of the Olifants River System in northeastern South Africa is suspected to be implicated in the death of hundreds of Nile crocodiles in the Kruger Park while too low a level of antioxidant is directly associated with the deaths.
The Nile crocodile, the species found in South Africa, is part of an ancient lineage and has changed little in the 65 million years since the dinosaurs with whom it coexisted became extinct.
With an average mass of 550 kg, covered in heavy scales, awkward on land and totally reptilian, it is difficult to see their link to panda bears. But in the 1960s both were endangered species. Since then crocodile farming has become established and is booming with sales of around 150,000 Nile crocodile skins a year. This has made large scale hunting for hides a thing of the past and as a result the pressure has lifted and there are now between a quarter and a half million crocodiles in the wild in Africa.
