http://allafrica.com/stories/201801030278.html



Zimbabwe: Crocodile Mauls Tourist

By Abigail Mawonde



A tourist was attacked and killed by crocodiles in Matopos National Park, Matabeleland South, on Sunday while another was seriously injured. Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority spokesman Mr Tinashe Farawo confirmed the incident to The Herald today.

"John Bowman and Rosemary Mitchell were attacked while peddling in the crocodile infested Mpopoma Dam in Matopos National Park. The couple was on holiday together with their colleagues. The two were rushed to the hospital where Bowman died before arrival. Mitchell is in intensive care unit in Bulawayo," he said.

Mr Farawo said the incident was regretted.

"The matter was reported to police. We encourage our tourists to stay away from wild animals. No matter how domesticated they are, they can be dangerous. It is unfortunate that they were using air pumped boats which are not permissible," he said.

By "air-pumped boat," do they mean a raft?
Who would raft with crocs?

quote:

Who would raft with crocs?

Snowflakes who watch too much Disney.

Ive had hunters wives and one lady hunter who was wading in the Ruaha in front of out camp in Tanzania, Got upset when I told her to get the hell out of the water, three days later she got in a native boat and was poling dowh a croc infested water way..We had another episode. I told her this was her last warning and I would put her on a plane home if she pulled one more stupid stunt and survived it...She behaved herself after that, but insisted I ruined her safari, I said were even in that case!! Thinking back I wish Id of fed her to the crocs.

Some peoples children..

Sad story.

At least Mr Farawo regretted it.

Well over several decades ago I had the "privilege" of being one among several PHs to guide a select entourage of SCI hot shots which included wives and semi-adult sons/daughters.

After a few days when boredom set in among the younger group, they they thought they would have a blast by taking a swim in the river just beneath the bank of the mess tent - the sound of giggles and shrieks attracted my attention and when I found them where they were, advised they would have made for some tasty snack to the resident croc population.

It goes without saying that my words of advice typically fell on deaf ears and so as not to spoil their moment of cheap thrills briefly took off and returned with DR fully primed and ready to roll.

This of course brought more dumb-assed comments from the young ignorant group but I knew that I would relish the moment to come later in the evening.

Sure enough and just after dinner had been done and dusted, armed with a flashlight, I did call the obnoxious kids over to the bank where, in the beam of light only several feet below, shone dozens of pairs of "fairy lights" most of which were distanced by a decent gap.

I thereafter invited them to get geared up for a midnight swim.

Needless to say the previously vociferous throats went suddenly dry and nobody ventured anywhere near the water for the remainder of the safari during which several very decent specimen were shot.

I guess we were lucky to have survived. Our PH encouraged us to go for a swim, I must have been a really obnoxious client.

The picture was taken from the camp Saeed now hunts in the Selous.

That SCI hunt took place on the same river, several miles upstream.

A 15' croc was taken by one of my clients a couple of miles downstream from Saeed's present camp (shortly before he took over the concession).

Its only after someone gets swallowed that the "Oh's and Ah's" begin.

Sad story!! R.I.P Mr Bowman thinking of his family and friends

Anyone who rafts the Zambezi below Vic Falls is rafting in waters with crocs. Thousands do it every year. As long as the current is swift, there is no problem, but when the rafts are in calm waters, like launching,lunch breaks, or exiting, the raft crews are very careful. Done it twice, myself. Probably less risky than hunting tuskless cows in the jesse.

As Thierry stated quite tragic.

Probably a couple out fishing in a small inflatable and not really aware of the danger.

quote:

Originally posted by Tim Ferrall:
Anyone who rafts the Zambezi below Vic Falls is rafting in waters with crocs. Thousands do it every year. As long as the current is swift, there is no problem, but when the rafts are in calm waters, like launching,lunch breaks, or exiting, the raft crews are very careful. Done it twice, myself. Probably less risky than hunting tuskless cows in the jesse.

Hmm. I stand corrected. Thanks for the clarity on this. Still, a tragic misstep.

Mighty perfect place to dump a bucket of blood and scraps in 50 yards upstream just to hear the uproar.

George

I paddle regularly 30 km upstream from my regular hunting spot where there is huge crocs. There is little sign of crocs in the mountains but we treat it as dangerous.

Where the river gets squeezed into a dark and deep ravine I can feel the presence of every 14 foot croc that has passed there in the last 1 million years. I get cold shivers running down my spine every time!!

None of the news stories here were accurate - one bad piece of journalism cut and pasted by the wire services. (1) neither party was a tourist; they were both Zimbabweans; (2) the area is signposted against using boats, and an inflatable was ridiculous in any case; (3) John Bowman was not touched by a croc - he was 93 and died probably from shock.