Thousands of crocodiles escaped by the Rakwena Breeding Farm along the Limpopo River on the South African/Botswana border after officials were forced to open its gates to alleviate pressure from rising flood waters. The floods, caused by heavy rains in the region, have already forced the evacuation of villagers from areas within South Africa, Zimbabwe and Mozambique.
Although 10,000 out of an estimated 15,000 reptiles remain unaccounted for, Hangwani Mulaudzi, a spokeman for the Limpopo Province Police stated that so far they have been very lucky, and there ”haven’t been any emergencies.” He is also “hopeful nothing will happen.” At the same time Mulaudzi issued an appeal for help from crocodile experts in wrangling the beasts.
News reports from the area have shown people hunting down smaller crocodiles in the local brush and orange groves at night, tying them up and returning them to Rakwena. Another was found 75 miles away in a school rugby field at Musina.
Experts, however, warned would be crocodile hunters not to try and pick them up by the tail!
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