August 08 2008
This mason had a whale of a tale to explain why he was late for work on Thursday.
OK, maybe not a whale of a tale or even a fishy excuse ... how about this: mason found an alligator on the side of the road on his way to work. What a croc?, you say. This one's true, honest.
According to a report in the Press of Atlantic City, Fred Schubert wrestled a vicious alligator to ground with his bare hands on his way to work Thursday.
"I've spent years honing my skill as a crocodile hunter," Schubert told the paper.
If you ask one of his co-workers, they'll say Schubert found an alligator in a cage on the side of the road at 6 a.m. Thursday, placed it in the back of his pick-up truck and went to work.
Saturday 9 August 2008
Friday 8 August 2008
CAR reveals Project Alligator as big Mercedes/Aston Martin collaboration
Not really about crocodylians... but... sort of!
Project Alligator. That's the internal code-name for a potential collaboration between Mercedes and Aston Martin on everything from drivetrains to platforms.
CAR's September issue gets into all the details, which includes such tasty nuggest as the possible use of AMG's 6.2-liter V8 in the next Vantage, porting over Mercedes' future eight-speed auto 'box into Astons, sharing platforms between both automaker's high-end models (think SL and beyond), cooperating on the development of diesels and hybrids, and using Aston's future products to keep Maybach alive and maybe even help the wayward ultra-luxury brand thrive with up to five new models.
But it gets even bigger. A collaboration between the two could place M-B in a good position to buy Aston Martin if its new owners, including Prodrive's David Richards, decide to exit the automaking biz.
As CAR points out, however, the only potential loser from Project Alligator coming to fruition is Mercedes' other partner, McLaren
Project Alligator. That's the internal code-name for a potential collaboration between Mercedes and Aston Martin on everything from drivetrains to platforms.
CAR's September issue gets into all the details, which includes such tasty nuggest as the possible use of AMG's 6.2-liter V8 in the next Vantage, porting over Mercedes' future eight-speed auto 'box into Astons, sharing platforms between both automaker's high-end models (think SL and beyond), cooperating on the development of diesels and hybrids, and using Aston's future products to keep Maybach alive and maybe even help the wayward ultra-luxury brand thrive with up to five new models.
But it gets even bigger. A collaboration between the two could place M-B in a good position to buy Aston Martin if its new owners, including Prodrive's David Richards, decide to exit the automaking biz.
As CAR points out, however, the only potential loser from Project Alligator coming to fruition is Mercedes' other partner, McLaren
Thursday 7 August 2008
Croc dines on a mate - cairns.com.au
August 7 2008
IT'S a croc-eat-croc world in the wilds of Cape York.
This 3.5m saltie was snapped by visiting fisherman Wayne Pierce as it was tucking into another croc in the Mission River at Weipa, 800km north of Cairns.
Snack time: A 3.5m saltwater crocodile tucks into a second saltie in the Mission River at Weipa. Picture: WAYNE PIERCE/ THE WESTERN CAPE BULLETIN.
Croc cannibalism among adult crocodiles was rare, Weipa zoologist Lauren Collings told The Cairns Post.
"Crocs are cannibals," Ms Collings said.
"Except the case you usually see is adults eating juvenile crocs."
The big croc was likely to have sniffed the carcass and came looking for a feed, she said.
"They have a great sense of smell.
"If they smell old meat, they'll go to it.
"I reckon the first one would've got injured in a crocodile fight, or the most likely reason is it got shot by people."
While the photos are unusual, Weipa locals are used to living side by side with the giant predators - even naming their favourites.
Working as a surveyor aboard Weipa's ship loader in the Embley River, Ms Collings recalled sighting a massive croc basking on a nearby sandbar.
"I said 'Hey, there's a croc - aren't you excited?'
"They said 'No. He's there all the time. His name's Craig'."
Ms Collings scored naming rights on a second crocodile sharing Craig's sandbar.
"I called him Gazza," she said.
"I had that job two years ago and they're still there."
Ms Collings denied rumours the two were more than friends.
"They're just sharing a convenient piece of land," she said.
IT'S a croc-eat-croc world in the wilds of Cape York.
This 3.5m saltie was snapped by visiting fisherman Wayne Pierce as it was tucking into another croc in the Mission River at Weipa, 800km north of Cairns.
Snack time: A 3.5m saltwater crocodile tucks into a second saltie in the Mission River at Weipa. Picture: WAYNE PIERCE/ THE WESTERN CAPE BULLETIN.Croc cannibalism among adult crocodiles was rare, Weipa zoologist Lauren Collings told The Cairns Post.
"Crocs are cannibals," Ms Collings said.
"Except the case you usually see is adults eating juvenile crocs."
The big croc was likely to have sniffed the carcass and came looking for a feed, she said.
"They have a great sense of smell.
"If they smell old meat, they'll go to it.
"I reckon the first one would've got injured in a crocodile fight, or the most likely reason is it got shot by people."
While the photos are unusual, Weipa locals are used to living side by side with the giant predators - even naming their favourites.
Working as a surveyor aboard Weipa's ship loader in the Embley River, Ms Collings recalled sighting a massive croc basking on a nearby sandbar.
"I said 'Hey, there's a croc - aren't you excited?'
"They said 'No. He's there all the time. His name's Craig'."
Ms Collings scored naming rights on a second crocodile sharing Craig's sandbar.
"I called him Gazza," she said.
"I had that job two years ago and they're still there."
Ms Collings denied rumours the two were more than friends.
"They're just sharing a convenient piece of land," she said.
Wednesday 6 August 2008
Rare croc sighting in suburb - news.com.au
August 06 2008
A RARE crocodile sighting in a Singapore suburb has sparked a hunt by authorities - as well as by locals eager to catch a glimpse of it.
The one-metre-long crocodile was first spotted two weeks ago at a park in a residential suburb, the Straits Times reported today.
It is likely a saltwater crocodile common in mangroves and rivers in South-East Asia, experts interviewed by the newspaper said.
Authorities have been trying to trap the animal, but nature lovers are also looking out for a chance to photograph it, the report said.
"I wanted to see the crocodile in its natural habitat before someone else does something to it. After all, Singapore has so little wildlife left,'' said public servant KC Wong, 53, who was combing the vicinity with his son.
Animal experts have urged the public to stay away from the reptile if they spot it.
The park and mangrove swamp is frequented by nature lovers and joggers.
Despite its small size and dense population, Singapore is dotted with forests, parks and nature reserves.
A RARE crocodile sighting in a Singapore suburb has sparked a hunt by authorities - as well as by locals eager to catch a glimpse of it.
The one-metre-long crocodile was first spotted two weeks ago at a park in a residential suburb, the Straits Times reported today.
It is likely a saltwater crocodile common in mangroves and rivers in South-East Asia, experts interviewed by the newspaper said.
Authorities have been trying to trap the animal, but nature lovers are also looking out for a chance to photograph it, the report said.
"I wanted to see the crocodile in its natural habitat before someone else does something to it. After all, Singapore has so little wildlife left,'' said public servant KC Wong, 53, who was combing the vicinity with his son.
Animal experts have urged the public to stay away from the reptile if they spot it.
The park and mangrove swamp is frequented by nature lovers and joggers.
Despite its small size and dense population, Singapore is dotted with forests, parks and nature reserves.
Tuesday 5 August 2008
Monday 4 August 2008
RAMSI police kill giant crocodile - radioaustralia.net.au
Aug 4 2008
Members of RAMSI's Participating Police Force in Solomon Islands have killed a giant crocodile that was stalking a village.
Solomons Broadcasting reports the police were responding to an urgent appeal for help from the Marumbo village community near Lambi in West Guadalcanal.
It says the 4.2 metre crocodile, one of the biggest seen in recent times, was shot by two police officers.
Villagers say the crocodile had frequently been seen around homes and the local beach in recent weeks.
It killed one of the village pigs and started following children as they played near the water.
SIBC quotes the villagers as saying everyone in the area is very relieved the crocodile is dead.
Members of RAMSI's Participating Police Force in Solomon Islands have killed a giant crocodile that was stalking a village.
Solomons Broadcasting reports the police were responding to an urgent appeal for help from the Marumbo village community near Lambi in West Guadalcanal.
It says the 4.2 metre crocodile, one of the biggest seen in recent times, was shot by two police officers.
Villagers say the crocodile had frequently been seen around homes and the local beach in recent weeks.
It killed one of the village pigs and started following children as they played near the water.
SIBC quotes the villagers as saying everyone in the area is very relieved the crocodile is dead.
Sunday 3 August 2008
Leopard savaging a crocodile caught on camera - Telegraph.co.uk
18/07/2008
The astonishing spectacle of a leopard savaging a crocodile has been captured for the first time on camera.
A series of incredible pictures taken at a South African game reserve document the first known time that a leopard has taken on and defeated one of the fearsome reptiles
The photographs were taken by Hal Brindley, an American wildlife photographer, who was supposed to be taking pictures of hippos from his car in the Kruger National Park.
The giant cat raced out of cover provided by scrub and bushes to surprise the crocodile, which was swimming nearby.
A terrible and bloody struggle ensued. Eventually, onlookers were amazed to see the leopard drag the crocodile from the water as the reptile fought back.
With the crocodile snapping its powerful jaws furiously, the two animals somersaulted and grappled. Despite the crocodile's huge weight and strength, the leopard had the upper hand catching its prey by the throat.
Eventually the big cat was able to sit on top of the reptile and suffocate it.
In the past, there have been reports of crocodiles killing leopards, but this is believed to the first time that the reverse scenario has been observed.
Mr Brindley said: 'I asked many rangers in South Africa if they had ever heard of anything like this and they all said no.
"It just doesn't make sense. The meat you get out of a crocodile is just not worth the risk it takes a predator to acquire. The whole scene happened in the course of about 5 minutes. Then the leopard was gone.
"I drove away, elated in disbelief. It may have been the most amazing thing I've ever seen."
Ellie Rose, a reptile keeper at London Zoo, said: "Normally, crocodiles are well able to defend themselves against attack. I can't think of any examples of this happening before."
The astonishing spectacle of a leopard savaging a crocodile has been captured for the first time on camera.
A series of incredible pictures taken at a South African game reserve document the first known time that a leopard has taken on and defeated one of the fearsome reptiles
The photographs were taken by Hal Brindley, an American wildlife photographer, who was supposed to be taking pictures of hippos from his car in the Kruger National Park.
The giant cat raced out of cover provided by scrub and bushes to surprise the crocodile, which was swimming nearby.
A terrible and bloody struggle ensued. Eventually, onlookers were amazed to see the leopard drag the crocodile from the water as the reptile fought back.
With the crocodile snapping its powerful jaws furiously, the two animals somersaulted and grappled. Despite the crocodile's huge weight and strength, the leopard had the upper hand catching its prey by the throat.
Eventually the big cat was able to sit on top of the reptile and suffocate it.
In the past, there have been reports of crocodiles killing leopards, but this is believed to the first time that the reverse scenario has been observed.
Mr Brindley said: 'I asked many rangers in South Africa if they had ever heard of anything like this and they all said no.
"It just doesn't make sense. The meat you get out of a crocodile is just not worth the risk it takes a predator to acquire. The whole scene happened in the course of about 5 minutes. Then the leopard was gone.
"I drove away, elated in disbelief. It may have been the most amazing thing I've ever seen."
Ellie Rose, a reptile keeper at London Zoo, said: "Normally, crocodiles are well able to defend themselves against attack. I can't think of any examples of this happening before."
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