Peaceful crocodiles not to blame for 19 deaths

07 December 2007, 03:09

Africa News
'Peaceful' crocodiles not to blame for 19 deaths in Ugandan village

Dec 6, 2007, 11:30 GMT

Nairobi/Kampala - Ugandan wildlife officials have termed crocodiles 'peaceful' animals and will not act to protect a village where 19 people have been killed by the creatures this year, reports said Thursday.

The officials had camped by the shores of Lake Victoria, where the latest attack occurred last week, but concluded that the animals were not harmful, unless provoked.

'They said it was the residents who provoke the 'peaceful' animals,' Uganda's state-run New Vision quoted a local politician, Richard Naika, as saying.

Edward Gwebayanga, 20, was the latest victim in Bukizibu village, when he was eaten by a crocodile while bathing in the lake.

Crocodile attacks are not uncommon in their habitats in Africa and Asia and are the cause of hundreds of deaths annually.

Â© 2007 dpa - Deutsche Presse-Agentur

07 December 2007, 03:37

pdpdad

You have to wonder if PITA has a branch in Uganda?

Pat

07 December 2007, 05:12

SGraves155

quote:
Originally posted by pdpdad:
You have to wonder if PITA has a branch in Uganda?
Pat

They just send a check.

Steve
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07 December 2007, 23:04

mbaraki

free birth control.

07 December 2007, 23:36

Use Enough Gun

I've never met a peaceful crocodile that I didn't like!

08 December 2007, 00:00

Nzou

I can imagine that most of the crocs are probably somewhat 'peaceful', but I dont think peaceful is the correct word here, they probably meant 'man-eaters'. There are probably only a couple of man-eaters at most in the area. I know that smaller crocs (sub ten foot)can get quite aggressive around the breeding season, but they are usually not killers, not to say that they can't do a lot of damage if you are caught short.

Any croc that is large enough, say 12 foot or more is a potential man-eater and give them the right opportunies, such as swimming, washing, collecting water or wading in to fish and they will see you as food I am afraid. It is best to try and avoid these activities in croc waters if at all possible. Unfortunately the crocs involved probably realise that humans are easy meals and know where to lay in wait.