Tag: Crocodiles

Family with ‘zero crocodile sense’ risks death while fishing by crocs

Video footage from an Australian tour company shows “people blatantly risking their lives” by fishing near multiple saltwater crocodiles.

An Australian tour company posted video footage of a family that was having a picnic on the road with kids and adults constantly at the water’s edge as they fished.

The footage is from Cahills Crossing, a popular tourist attraction in Kakadu National Park where crocodiles can safely be watched from three viewing platforms alongside the East Alligator River.

The crocodiles are drawn to this area by mullet and barramundi, fish they feed on as the tide pushes in and over the road that leads to Arnhem Land, according to Parks Australia.

It also draws ignorant families and fishermen.

“It’s staggering how often I see people crossing too high or standing way too close to the water fishing,” local tour guide David MacMahon told Yahoo Australia. “There have been two crocodile fatalities at that crossing and with the remarkably stupid behavior I see it’s lucky there isn’t more.

“Keeping safe around crocodiles is easy! They live in the water and we stay on land, a couple of meters back. That’s all it takes.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/C_KmcJcyGMS/

The tour guide at Cyaround Australia Tours has been frequenting the crossing for six years.

“In that time, I’ve seen some absolutely crazy things happen here with people blatantly risking their lives near multiple large saltwater crocodiles,” the guide for Cyaround Australia Tours wrote on Instagram, where the video footage can be watched in case it doesn’t show up on your server.

“Everything from people walking their children and dogs across the road at low tide, to people slipping over trying to pull in a fish with a big croc chasing the fish.

“Today was no better. This family was literally having a picnic on the road with the kids constantly on the water’s edge and absolutely zero crocodile sense. At this time there was close to 10 visible large crocs within 50m of them and probably another 25 crocs we couldn’t see at the time.”

MacMahon identified the young child climbing on the rock wearing a green T-shirt and hat as a “perfect size snack for a crocodile.”

“We’ve got to stop behavior like this,” MacMahon added. “We need to teach people how to stay away from the water. Otherwise, someone’s going to get taken. It’s only a matter of time, and then everybody suffers.”

‘Croczilla’ surfaces in Florida, allowing for bucket-list encounter

A Florida photographer has been sharing jaw-dropping footage of a 14-foot American crocodile nicknamed “Croczilla” because of its size and menacing appearance.

A Florida photographer has been sharing jaw-dropping footage of a 14-foot American crocodile nicknamed “Croczilla” because of its size and menacing appearance.

Kymberly Clark encountered the colossal beast recently in Everglades National Park. She states via Instagram that ‘Croczilla’ is believed to be the largest American crocodile in the 1.5-million-acre park.

Crocodiles are shy and reclusive and reside mostly in brackish or saltwater ponds, creeks and mangrove swamps, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).

But Clark’s posts show ‘Croczilla’ sunning on a grassy bank, opening and closing its massive jaws and revealing enormous teeth.

“Although Crocs are native to America, this estimated 14-foot+ Crocodile is about the largest Croc found in the wild,” Clark states in her initial post. “In comparison to alligators, crocodiles have a more narrow snout, are lighter in color, and both upper and lower sets of teeth can be seen.”

ALSO: Extremely rare wolverine encountered on Oregon highway

Clark adds: “Although this crocodile looks fierce, the American Crocodiles are very timid. The open mouth is not a sign of aggression but usually a way of regulating body temperature or a yawn. That being said, always keep a safe distance from crocodiles and other wildlife.”

Subsequent posts show Croczilla in various poses on the same bank. One  reveals “That ‘I survived Monday’ look!” A video post shows Clark superimposed in the footage with the description: “When I saw this guy, I am not sure who opened their mouth wider. Croczilla or me?”

Another post, put to horror music, shows Croczilla stretched in the sun, revealing its size. Yet another post shows kayakers admiring Croczilla under the description: “Only in Florida.”

According to the FWC, the American Crocodile was listed as an endangered species in 1975. Their numbers have since increased from a few hundred animals to about 2,000 individuals.

The Florida population of American crocodiles is currently listed as threatened by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

The FWC states in a website publication: “ Due to the American crocodile’s shy and reclusive nature, conflicts between them and people are extremely rare in Florida. However, as with any predatory animal, people should use caution when near them.”

–Image courtesy of Kymberly Clark

Crikey! American crocodile lives at this Florida golf course — and is there to stay

The village has advised golfers it cannot remove the animal because it is a threatened species.

NORTH PALM BEACH, Florida — Golfers and residents in North Palm Beach have a new, permanent neighbor: a 7-foot American Crocodile.

The Village of North Palm Beach notified residents of a crocodile that is living in the ponds of the North Palm Beach Country Club golf course. Since crocodiles are a threatened species, federal law does not allow the village to remove the animal.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has posted a sign on the golf course to warn golfers and others. Photos and videos show the crocodile lurking in the water and coming up to the fairway.

The animal appears to be between 7 and 8 feet long, according to pro shop staff at the country club. Staff said the crocodile is seen sunning itself around the eighth hole — north and east of Country Club Drive — nearly every day and eating fish in the pond there at night.

Crocodiles rarely interact with humans because of their shy, reclusive nature, according to FWC. However, as with any predatory animal, people should use caution when near them.

https://www.facebook.com/NorthPalmBeachCountryClub/posts/6476931992378611

A crocodile spotted on the North Palm Beach Country Club golf course. The village has advised golfers it cannot remove the animal because it is a threatened species.

Although they may look similar, alligators and crocodiles in Florida have a few distinct differences.

Here’s how to identify a crocodile:

Color: Grayish green on its back.
Stripes: Dark stripes on tail and body.
Exposed teeth: Fourth tooth on lower jaw exposed when mouth is closed.
Snout shape: Narrow and tapered.
Habitat: Crocodiles are primarily are found living in brackish and saltwater habitats such as ponds, coves and creeks of mangrove swamps.

Here’s how to identify an alligator:

Color: Black coloring on its back.
Stripes: Light stripes on tail and body.
No exposed teeth when the mouth is closed.
Snout shape: Broad and rounded.
Habitat: Alligators are mostly freshwater animals, they can survive in salt or brackish water for several hours or even days, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Watch: Hippos rescue wildebeest from attacking crocodiles

A visitor at South Africa’s Kruger National Park has captured a remarkable scene in which hippos rescued a wildebeest from attacking crocodiles.

A tour guide at South Africa’s Kruger National Park has captured a dramatic and remarkable scene in which hippos rescued a wildebeest from attacking crocodiles.

The accompanying graphic footage, captured by Chase Kurucz, shows two large crocodiles clutching the wildebeest by its head and leg, respectively, at water’s edge.

“We stopped to watch all the animals come down to drink and saw a cool heron surfing on the back of a hippo, it was an enjoyable sight,” Kurucz, of Chasin’ Africa Safaris, is quoted by News 24.

“An unsuspecting group of wildebeest sauntered down to the water’s edge for a drink when a huge crocodile jumped right out and immediately grabbed one of the wildebeest, keeping its jaws locked on the animals head.”

As stated in the video, the crocs were attempting to drag the wildebeest into the water to spin and drown the animal. But their plan was doomed thanks to the presence of so many massive hippos.

One hippo is seen charging the crocs and several others surround them in a show of force that ultimately prompts the crocs to release their grasp on their prey.

Kurucz wasn’t sure if the hippos wanted in on the wildebeest kill or were merely trying to thwart the crocs’ attempts at securing a feast.

“They kept the wildebeest surrounded and it all looked like a pretty hopeless situation,” he said. “[But] the wildebeest was obviously exhausted and it seemed as if the hippos sensed its fear of the whole ordeal.

“They calmly kept close to the wildebeest but he seemed to have picked up a second wind changing direction and seeking another escape route.”

The wildebeest found that route but paused for several seconds before continuing toward shore with a badly injured leg.

The footage, captured at Gezanftombi Dam, was shared to Facebook by Latest Sightings – Greater Kruger on Wednesday.