Hunt Still On For S.Africa's Escapee Crocodiles
Faizan Hashmi Published March 05, 2021 | 09:31 PM
Police and conservationists on Friday were still looking for an 'unknown' number of young crocodiles that escaped early this week from a breeding farm in Cape Winelands, a district 150 kilometres (90 miles) east of Cape Town
Cape Town, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 5th Mar, 2021 ) :Police and conservationists on Friday were still looking for an 'unknown' number of young crocodiles that escaped early this week from a breeding farm in Cape Winelands, a district 150 kilometres (90 miles) east of Cape Town.
So far, 34 Nile crocodiles -- measuring 1.2-1.5 metres (four to five feet)-- have been captured, CapeNature, a government conservation department said.
Authorities have conceded they do not know how many reptiles are on the loose.
But CapeNature's spokeswoman, Petro van Rhyn, told AFP that the vast commercial breeding farm kept more than 5,000 crocodiles in different camps and "much much less" had escaped.
"There was no tracking system and it was hard to tell." Most of the escaped crocodiles, which are bred for their skin, are suspected to have sneaked into the nearby Breede River and the overgrown vegetation around its banks had hindered the search efforts.
According to CapeNature, trap cages with bait had been set up but were less effective since the crocs "had access to an abundance of food in the river.
" An operation involving eight police divers in four boats allowed the capture of seven crocodiles Thursday night. Meanwhile, six others were euthanized.
"Being nocturnal animals the best time to search for them is at night, which brings its own challenges in terms of visibility," CapeNature said in a statement.
The rescuers said time was of the essence and they were left with no choice but to kill the crocodiles when they were spotted.
They were "very humanly euthanized" and removed from the river, van Rhyn told AFP.
"It is such a catch 22 situation, we can't just leave them there," she said.
Police, local nature authorities, landowners and the farmer are now expanding the search area as far as 5km (three miles) upstream and a similar distance downstream.
Locals have been urged not to approach any crocodile but immediately report any sighting.
Recent Stories
Mired in crisis, Boeing reports another loss
Session Awarding Ceremony 2024 held at Cadet College Muzaffarabad
Austrian ski great Hirscher to make comeback under Dutch flag
Pakistan, Japan agrees to convene 'Economic Policy Dialogue'
FM Dar conveys deepest sympathy on torrential rains devastation in UAE
Spain PM Sanchez says weighing resignation after wife's graft probe
Tennis: ATP/WTA Madrid Open results - 1st update
Long-lost Klimt portrait auctioned off for 30 mn euros
Osaka seals first win on clay since 2022 in Madrid
Earthquake jolts Karachi
Sindh minister orders operation after attack on police in Ghotki
TikTok to fight US ban law in courts
More Stories From World
-
Football: English Championship table
4 hours ago -
Time for 'democratic transition' in Venezuela: opposition candidate to AFP
4 hours ago -
Spain's Pedro Sanchez : a risk-taker with a flair for survival
4 hours ago -
Football: French Ligue 1 table
5 hours ago -
Nadal will only play French Open if he can 'compete well'
5 hours ago -
Ukraine, Israel, TikTok: the massive aid package before US Congress
5 hours ago
-
TikTok to fight US ban law in courts
5 hours ago -
Football: French Ligue 1 results
5 hours ago -
Spain PM Sanchez says weighing resignation after wife's graft probe
6 hours ago -
Long-lost Klimt portrait auctioned off for 30 mn euros
6 hours ago -
TikTok to fight US ban law in courts
6 hours ago -
Anger among Ukrainians in Poland as Kyiv halts passport renewals
6 hours ago