Lack of Antioxidants Cripples and Kills South African Crocodiles.
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.
