Saturday, 9 April 2011

Texas Zoo plans to say goodbye to alligators - victoriaadvocate.com

9 April 2011

Adios. Sayonara. Auf Wiedersehen. Au Revoir. Ciao. Aloha.

No matter what language you say it in, The Texas Zoo invites Victorians to come out and say goodbye to their longtime alligators on Wednesday.

The zoo will move its three large alligators to a refuge and bring in two smaller alligators.

"The three large alligators agitate each other and sometimes fight so we are trading them out for smaller ones," said Andrea Blomberg, executive director for the zoo. "I know the alligators are going to a good place."

Gary Saurage, of Country Music Television's reality show Gator 911, will do the gator exchange.

The zoo's current alligators will go to Gator Country, Saurage's refuge park in Beaumont.


Friday, 8 April 2011

Steve Irwin trap saves Cambodian crocodile - newsinfo.inquirer.net

8 April 2011

PHNOM PENH—A critically endangered Siamese crocodile was rescued in Cambodia with a trap designed by late Australian "crocodile hunter" Steve Irwin, but conservationists on Friday said other reptiles remain at risk.

Fauna and Flora International (FFI), which had spent two years planning the attempt to free about 10 crocodiles trapped by the construction of a hydropower dam, said it was "disappointing" that only one animal was caught.

Rescue workers from Cambodia and Australia tried for weeks to capture the animals isolated in a 750 meter (820 yards) stretch of river in southwestern Pursat province, FFI project manager Adam Starr told AFP.

But just one female crocodile took the bait in the mesh-net trap developed by Irwin, the world-renowned animal expert and environmentalist who was killed by a stingray barb in 2006.

Conservationists said other crocodiles in the colony had sometimes been too wily for Irwin's traps -- swiping the bait without getting caught.

FFI estimates there are just 250 Siamese crocodiles left in the wild, most of them in Cambodia.
The crocodile was transported by helicopter "to a different river 10 kilometers away from the construction site", Starr said.

The healthy female, measuring 2.1 meters, has been in her new environment since March 26.
"For everyone on the team, it was pretty disappointing we only caught one female, especially when we know there are more crocodiles there," Starr said.

He added that they were now taking a break from the labour-intensive and expensive rescue mission before considering their next move.


Zoo animals left to die in cages - bangkokpost.com

8 April 2011

Hundreds of animals were left to die in their cages in the Nakhon Si Thammarat floods because a local zoo had no evacuation plans for them.

Talad Zoo, in Muang district, faced the greatest loss in its 26-year history after more than 100 birds, 50 snakes, five crocodiles and one deer reportedly died in the flood.

The remaining animals, numbering in the hundreds, have had to be crammed together while zoo officials try to salvage the complex.

"The animal deaths are the biggest tragedy since the zoo opened in 1985. The flood came so fast. We had no time to evacuate them. We regret the loss but it was truly unpreventable," said Nattawut Panpob, deputy mayor of Nakhon Si Thammarat municipality. The zoo has been under water since last Saturday _ at one point the flood waters were 3m high.

Zoo staff made every effort to move the animals out of the cages, especially the birds. However, the birds wouldn't fly away because they had become too domesticated. Eventually, the staff had no choice but to leave them in the cages.

After several bouts of heavy rain and low temperatures, the birds, most of them parrots, died.

Staff also had to take the tough decision to let more than 50 snakes drown as it was too risky to move them out.

"We had 11 crocodiles. One died in a cage while the other four were euthanised. We can't locate the rest at the moment. As soon as the water recedes, we will try to bring them back," Mr Nattawut said.

Villagers in several tambons in Nakhon Si Thammarat have reported crocodile sightings and attacks.

Boonnam Boonchan, 66, who lives in Pak Phanang district, said he sustained a leg wound after a 2m-long crocodile lashed him with its tail.

A team of police and villagers later managed to hunt down and kill one crocodile.

The zoo's 50 deers, a tiger and four black bears are safe.

Mr Nattawut said it was hoped the zoo could pump out all of the flood water in the next four days. However, it will not be able to resume operations for at least three months.

It was estimated that flood damage would cost the zoo about 10 million baht.

To cope with future flooding, Mr Nattawut said the zoo would raise the height of its dyke to over 1m. It will also need to formulate an evacuation plan. "We have learned from this tragedy that we should have an evacuation plan for these animals. The flood is something we never thought would happen. We had a big flood before in 1988 but we were able to save the animals. Unfortunately that was not the case this time," he said.

Thursday, 7 April 2011

Children capture alligator roaming in San Antonio neighborhood - woai.com

7 April 2011

It was a scary situation for a group of kids playing along a creek behind their home on the Northwest Side Thursday afternoon. The children found an alligator. The alligator is only a few months old, but investigators say it caused a big scare for neighbors near Fredericksburg and Mulberry Streets.

Jacob, Anthony and Ryan Villalobos are the kids who say they found the alligator in a creek between their home and Oak Farms Dairy company. The creek leads into the nearby San Antonio River.

"I went to go tell my mom," said Jacob Villalobos. "She didn't believe me, at first."

The boys say they were determined to do something, especially since they spotted the alligator once before earlier in the week.

"It was floating," said Ryan Villalobos. "We thought it was dead, but it started swimming."

The boys say they decided to act fast and reel in the reptile.

"We threw a piece of bacon on a fishing rod," said Jacob.

The kids say the baby alligator put up a big fight at first.

"I tried reeling it in, and it went underwater," said Ryan. "We waited a few hours and we went back down there."

The fishing rod worked to catch the alligator. The hook was still stuck in its mouth when Animal Care Services picked it up. The staff at Animal Care Services safely removed the wire from the alligator's mouth.

Investigators are now warning neighbors the coast may not be clear in the neighborhood.

"There's also traces of a family that's migrating from one end of Martinez River to the other," said Vincent Medley, Assistant Director of Animal Care Services.

Jacob, Anthony and Ryan admit they are a little nervous. However, they say they will be stuck on alligator watch for now.

The alligator will be turned over to the Game Warden. Investigators advise if you spot an alligator in your neighborhood, leave it alone, and call 311.

Nile Crocodile found dead at Paignton Zoo - bbc.co.uk

7 April 2011

A crocodile has been found dead at a Devon zoo.

Keepers at Paignton Zoo said the 35-year-old Nile crocodile was found dead in its Crocodile Swamp attraction on Wednesday.

It had been acting strangely for several days and had been under observation by staff.

A post-mortem examination on the 3m (10ft) long crocodile, which weighed almost a tonne, will be carried out to try to find out the cause of death.

Nile crocodiles in the wild are thought to reach between 70 and 100 years old.

Mike Bungard, curator of lower vertebrates and invertebrates, said: "Crocodiles are very good at hiding illness and very difficult to diagnose.

"He was seen to be lethargic the other day and he was under observation by our in-house vet team because he was not eating normally, though crocodiles can go for long periods without eating."

The crocodile was one of a pair that came to the zoo near Torquay from Wroclaw Zoo in Poland in 2008.

Wednesday, 6 April 2011

Watch and Read: Bindi Irwin Follows in Her Father's Footsteps with 'Wildlife Adventures' - schoollibraryjournal.com

6 April 2011

By Joy Fleishhacker

At 12 years old, Bindi Sue Irwin, daughter of wildlife conservationists Terri and Steve (the late "Crocodile Hunter") Irwin, is already a celebrity and advocate for animals.

Born in 1998, she was named after Steve's favorite female crocodile at Australia Zoo, the family's wildlife park in Queensland, and their dog (Sui). Surrounded by animals from an early age, she was only three years old when she made her debut on her father's television show. She has since appeared in her own wildlife series, Bindi: The Jungle

Girl,

which aired on Discovery Kids (2007-2009) and earned her an Emmy in 2008. Last year she made her feature film debut, starring alongside Beau Bridges inFree Willy: Escape from Pirate's Cove, which was released direct to video in March

2010.

Since Steve Irwin's death in 2006, Bindi has toured the world and made public appearances to discuss her work and her commitment to continuing her father's conservation efforts. She was recently featured along with her mother and younger brother, Robert, on Part Three of Oprah's

Ultimate Australian Adventure, a show that highlighted Steve's legacy and the 1,500 acre Australia Zoo that the family still runs.


Now, Bindi Irwin can add star of her own book series to her list of accomplishments. Published by Sourcebooks Jabberwocky, "Bindi Wildlife Adventures," a series of early chapter books (Gr 2-5) inspired and co-created by the charismatic young conservationist, launches this month. The fictional stories feature Bindi as the main character along with her mother and brother. Some of the tales

are set at the family's Australia Zoo while others take readers to diverse destinations around the globe. The lively books combine adventure and wildlife conservation themes, and the

effervescent Bindi is a likable protagonist and inspiring role model.

The first book, Trouble at the Zoo, takes place on the day of Bindi's 11th birthday party, an underwater-themed extravaganza (and fundraiser to stop illegal whaling) complete with colorful costumes, contests, and a whale-sized cake. However, the festivities—and the fate of an Australian Zoo resident animal—are put in jeopardy when a selfish 10-year-old boy decides to take home one of the facility's water dragons. With quick thinking (and the help of a green-winged macaw), Bindi finds a way to help Zac realize his mistake before it's too late.

In Rescue!, Bindi and her friend Hannah are on a horse trek in South Africa when they discover that a nature preserve for the endangered giant sable antelope is being used for illegal hunting at night. After the girls are caught spying, they must figure out exactly who the bad guys are and then prove their case to the authorities.

Back at home, the third adventure has Bindi and her best friend Rosie witnessing the devastating effects of a raging Bushfire! on local fauna. The girls rush to help out at the Australian Wildlife Hospital, and even accompany Rosie's veterinarian dad on a rescue vehicle, working hard to help the injured animals, including a mother koala and her baby joey. Another installment, Camouflage, which centers on a missing Komodo

dragon in Singapore, will publish in June, with two more titles scheduled for a fall release.

Reflecting the real Bindi's sunny demeanor and unwavering commitment to her cause, the books are breezy and upbeat. Suspense and tension build to satisfying conclusions as the characters take on each tale's dilemma and convey effective but not-too-preachy points about environmental issues. Written in clear and descriptive language, occasionally sprinkled with a few more challenging words, the accessible narratives express enthusiasm for the subject matter and an inviting sense of wonder about the natural world. Details about the featured creatures are smoothly integrated into the texts, and "Animal Fact Files" are appended. Each title features a cover photo of Bindi posed with one of the highlighted critters and graphic motifs that echo the setting or plot elements. The neon-bright colors of the book design—and, of course, Bindi's dazzling smile and familiar persona—will draw in readers.

Suggest these titles to youngsters who are interested in animal tales or eco-adventures. Kids can visit the Australia Zoo website to find out more about the facility, the species that live there, conservation issues, and Bindi's fascinating world.

Publication Information

KUNZ, Chris. Trouble at the Zoo. ISBN 978-1-4022-5514-4.

IRWIN, Bindi. Rescue! with Jess Black. ISBN 978-1-4022-5517-5.

BLACK, Jess. Bushfire! ISBN 978-1-4022-5520-5.

Ea vol: Sourcebooks/Jabberwocky. 2011. pap. $4.99.


Florida Teen's Baggy Pants Help Him Escape Alligator Attack - 670kboi.com

6 April, 2011

(ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.) -- A teenage boy in Florida must be very thankful his pants were on the ground Monday night.

Kendrick Williams, 17, was walking home from work when he encountered an alligator, which he says was between six and

seven feet long, near a pond at an apartment complex in St. Petersburg, according to ABC News affiliate WFTS-TV in Tampa Bay. Upon seeing the gator, Williams took off running but the alligator still managed to take a bite -- out of his baggy pants. Williams just escaped the attack, coming out unharmed and with a few holes in his pants. His mother, Tanita Murray, told WFTS-TV that the sagging pants may have saved his life. "That was the advantage of wearing baggy pants that day," Murray said. The alligator seems to have gotten off the hook, too, since wildlife officers said there are too many gators in the pond to positively identify which one attacked Williams.


(I've spent many a minute wondering what the point of having trousers down around your knees was... Now I know and next time I'm in gator country I'll do just the same thing! ;-) )


Weekend of work: Dulles Airport officials seize alligator and jewelry, arrest alleged child rapist - loudountimes.com

6 April, 2011

It was quite an usual weekend for Dulles Airport Customs and Border Protection agencies, as officers detained an alleged child rapist and seized Iranian jewelry, while agricultural specialists confiscated a cooked whole crocodile and nine pounds of antelope meat.

Augusto G. Montalvo, 54, of Springfield, Va. was wanted on an arrest warrant originating in Fairfax County. Officers arrested Montalvo as he got off the plane from Bolivia on April 2. He faces counts of aggravated sexual battery and animate object sexual penetration from an alleged Jan. 25 incident with a 12-year-old victim.

Following his arrest, he was turned over to Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority police.

“Sexually assaulting anyone is a vicious crime, but allegations of assaulting a 12-year-old child are particularly heinous,”

CBP Port Director for the Port of Washington Christopher Hess said. “[We] take great pleasure in returning dangerous fugitives like this to justice.”

Import awareness
Additionally, CBP officers seized what a passenger estimated to be $3,000 worth of Iranian jewelry on April 3. The bounty included one gold and one silver ring, two gold necklaces, and a golden bracelet and a pair of earrings and was in violation of the Treasury Department’s sanctions on Iranian products.

The same passenger also admitted to carrying $9,300, but when searched, officers discovered $11,106 on the man. CBP policy requires passengers to declare cash values over $10,000.

Close, but no cigar.

An Ethiopian passenger faced a $300 fine on April 1 for continuously refusing to declare food products in her suitcase.

Agricultural specialists discovered nearly seven pounds of cooked antelope meat and a cooked crocodile in her bag. (What the heck???!!!! - Jenn)

Meat and plant products from continents that experience animal or plant diseases are usually banned from import to the U.S. without additional permits, and the crocodile is protected by the Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.

Rat pee gives crocodile park gardener Nathan Trevena leptospirosis - heraldsun.com.au

6 April, 2011

A YOUNG Northern Territorian was diagnosed with a potentially deadly disease after collecting crocodile eggs in a Top End swamp.

Crocodylus Park landscaper Nathan Trevena said he got leptospirosis after collecting croc eggs from nests in Melacca swamp - about 60km southeast of Darwin - in December, the NT News reports.

But he said he wasn't wearing any gloves. "I obviously had cuts on my hands," he said.

Park zoo keeper John Pomeroy said the 21-year-old got the disease from cutting his hands on sawgrass and then putting his hands in the contaminated swamp water.

"(The disease) is from rat's urine in water," he said.

He said almost every employee at the croc park has had the disease but had now built up an immunity to it. "We've all had it at some stage," he said.

Mr Trevena said on New Year's Day he started to get a fever, chills and bloodshot eyes.

"I thought it was just the hangover from New Year's," he said. But he said the "hangover" lasted almost two weeks.

"It was shocking," he said.

Mr Trevena said he went to the doctor who diagnosed him with a fever but his boss, Grahame Webb, told him he probably had leptospirosis. "The second test came back as a high positive."

The disease has a reported fatality rate of up to 30 per cent if undiagnosed, according to the Centre for Disease Control.

Mr Pomeroy said the park tried to minimise the chance of employees contracting the disease by encouraging them to wear gloves and rub Vicks on their neck and wrists.

He said there was probably a high chance that duck shooters got the disease because they were often wading around in the water.

"They wouldn't have any immunity," he said.



Kelso woman finds alligator in garage - nwcn.com

6 April 2011

KELSO, Wash. -- A Kelso Washington woman got a huge scare when she opened up her garage and found an alligator inside.

Her friend who was renting an apartment from her put the alligator there without her knowing about it.
"She was frantic, " said Mike Nicholson, with Cowlitz Co. Animal Control. "She said get this out of her garage."
Nicholson said the alligator let out a hiss, but he managed to calm the reptile down.

"I think he's cool, he hasn't tried to bite me yet."
The alligator stretches 2 to 3 feet long and is 8 weeks old. Nicholson has named him, "Charlie."
Melina Davis said she was shaken when she heard about the news.

"It would totally freak me out. It's scary because my kids don't really play inside the fence, but they will now, " said Davis.
Animal control jumped in just in time. The alligator hasn't eaten for two weeks, according to authorities.
It's illegal to have a potentially dangerous reptile in Washington and the owner could be cited with neglect.


"I think he's a cool character and we'll make a good life for it in a wild life sanctuary, " said Nicholson.

Late Wednesday, "Charlie" enjoyed his first meal in two weeks -- a raw chicken.

Traffickers used caimans to terrorize slum: Police - vancouversun.com

6 April 2011

RIO DE JANEIRO - Police in Brazil captured two alligator-like caimans used by drug traffickers to intimidate residents of a Rio favela, local television reported Wednesday.

Police said the reptiles seized in the Manguinhos favela were kept on the terrace of a private home, the Globo television station wrote on its website.

Authorities said the animals had been raised in captivity by traffickers who used them to terrorize residents of the impoverished neighborhood, as well as to scare away rival drug dealers.

Officials, who said they were led to the reptiles by an anonymous tip, said they had been hearing for some time about alligators in the Rio slum, but had been skeptical until now.

"We used to think that those stories about caimans owned by drug traffickers were fairy tales, but now we have the proof," police commissioner Ronaldo Oliveira told reporters at a press briefing.

The imposing-looking caiman is related to and resembles the American Alligator and the Freshwater Crocodiles and generally grows to about six feet (two meters) in length as an adult.

Officials said the confiscated reptiles would be given a new home at the local zoo.



Tuesday, 5 April 2011

Thailand counts cost of fatal floods - 7days.ae

5 April 2011

A Thai villager is pictured standing in a devastated area and a worker is seen tending to a crocodile after it escaped from Nakhon Si Thammarat zoo following heavy downpours and landslides.

Over the last two weeks 45 people have been killed by the rains in southern Thailand.

The government disaster agency said more than 40,000 people are living in shelters in three provinces that remain flooded.

The agency added yesterday that electricity was slowly being restored in the hardest-hit province of Nakhon Si Thammarat.

World's first orange alligator found in Florida - tnjn.com

5 April 2011

The rivalry continues between the University of Tennessee and the University of
Florida, but the real gators of Florida

seem to be

leaning towards the orange side. A 70-year-old woman spotted what could be the world's first orange alligator in Venice, Fla.

He was just sun basking right here on this cement pier minding his own business. Phillip Crosby



Sylvia Mythen, grandmother and Florida resident, photographed the oddly colored alligator in her neighborhood, Sorrento Woods. Another resident, Phillip Crosby, also witnessed the animal.

"He was just sun basking right here on this cement pier minding his own business," says Crosby.

Mythen sent the photo to a biologist who claims the orange color is most likely caused by the alligator being half albino. Gary Morse from Florida Fish and Wildlife, however, believes some other environmental element is to blame such as paint or iron oxide.

The residents say the alligator's presence hasn't caused any problems in the neighborhood and he is welcome to stay.

"Those residents may say the alligator is welcome to stay in their neighborhood, but no gators are welcome at Rocky Top!" said Brittany French, freshman at UT.


In Another Time > Looking for rum, he found gators instead - shorenewstoday.com

5 April 2011

Frederick W. Swimme lived up to his name a long time ago. He worked and lived around water, although he didn’t necessarily swim in it when alligators were in the neighborhood.

But then Swimme had nothing to worry about because alligators don’t spend their time in saltwater and who would expect them in the Wildwoods anyway?

Until one St. Patrick’s Day, a holiday that is often celebrated with a drink or two, or three or four, or even more. Swimme, a Coast Guard warrant officer, suspected there was illegal rum on a boat moored at Cold Spring Harbor between Wildwood Crest and Cape May. What he saw was enough to stop a man from drinking for a lifetime.

Instead of rum he found 280 alligators, all small, except a five footer named Lizzie running loose on the deck of the fishing boat named Nautilus. Built in 1912 in Pocomoke City, Md., Nautilus was captained by a man named Joshua Shivers who originally came to the Wildwoods from the mainland town of Mayville to start a fishing business.

The Shivers family name was famous in early history of the island. E.M. Shivers became mayor of Anglesea from 1890 to 1893 and Herbert Shivers mayor of North Wildwood from 1923 to 1925.

The boat and its captain had been in Long Key of the Florida Keys that winter and Swimme had heard rumors that it hadn’t been an economically successful winter for the boat and as a result it was bringing some illegal rum to the Wildwoods to cover its losses. Swimme grew even more suspicious when he saw a huge packing case being taken ashore, according to a story printed in the New York Herald-Tribune.

“Hey,” he shouted after he boarded the boat, “what have you got there?”

“Alligators,” bluntly replied Harry Countess of the boat’s crew.

At first Swimme thought Countess was giving him a “wise guy answer.”

“Alligators?” said the Coast Guardsman, “We’ll look at those alligators, I guess.”

The doubtful inspector shook the suspended packing case whose nails had been loosened when the boat sailed through stormy weather at Cape Hatteras. Swimme was looking for signs of rum inside the case, like the clinking of bottles. He shook the case so vigorously that the sides open and instead of rum, out came 280 alligators on the pier and deck of the Nautilus.

While this was happening, some of Shivers’ friends were waiting on the deck to welcome him home. As soon as they saw his cargo gone astray they ran the 100 yard dash or reasonable facsimile to what they thought were safer grounds not usually inhabited by alligators. The safer place would have been the ocean which alligators do not enjoy because of its salty content.

One of Shivers’ friends who held his position was a man with the name of Horse Mackerel Samuel Johnson who enjoyed some literary fame in his own right. Johnson, it is said, was a fishing guide for western author Zane Grey for many years. Whether he encountered alligators has not been made clear in local history, but he acted like a veteran in helping to round up the big ‘gator named Lizzie who apparently was a cinch compared to bucking broncos.

Countess, meanwhile, had been doing his balancing act, balancing himself on a railing of the Nautilus while guiding with a hand the hoist in which the packing case was slung. Suddenly he lost his balance and fell onto the alligator’s snout upon which he sat, if not gloriously but somewhat heroically.

Encouragement came from Horse Mackerel.

“Set right where you are, Harry,” yelled Horse Mackerel who was used to dealing with buffalos and wild horses out west but no alligators, “while I get a rope.”

Countess did not have much of a choice.

Horse Mackerel found himself a rope and, using his western experience, “lassoed” Lizzie’s jaws tight so Countess could dismount from the alligator’s snout.

The Herald-Tribune was to say in its account of Countess’ perch, “There wasn’t much else for Mr. Countess to do…..It was easy to see that it would require considerable agility to get up without sacrificing a considerable---essential part of his trousers to Lizzie to say the least.”

Shivers was to explain later that he transported the small alligators here for sale at pet shops .The captured Lizzie was to go to the Philadelphia Zoological Garden. Some of the smaller reptiles may have escaped to nearby marshlands where they could have survived until the cold of the following winter.

Shvers, who lived to the age of 84 and is buried at Baptist Cemetery in Cape May Court House, did more than transport alligators for a living. He also transported humans in party boats and for fishing.

Reptiles and other animals have been in the news frequently during Wildwood’s history.

Henry H.Ottens, one time publisher of the Wildwood Leader and a prominent philanthropist, was in Albuquerque, N.M., one year and he thought it would be a nice idea to transport 30 donkeys from that area to North Wildwood for part of its beach entertainment. Donkeys, known for their stubbornness, didn’t like the idea or maybe it was the sound of the ocean which Albuquerque did not have. So the donkeys broke away to different points on the beach and it took a bit of doing to corral them, the services of Horse Mackerel not being available.

The biggest animal story, told here at length in an earlier edition, involved the 300-pound lion Tuffy who in October of 1938 escaped from his Boardwalk motorcycle act and killed auctioneer Thomas Saito. The lion was later shot and for awhile its head was displayed on the wall in back of a bar of a local tavern.

The event caused city officials to enact a law banning the use of dangerous animals in Boardwalk acts. That law hasn’t always been enacted because elephant and snake shows have often appeared here since then.

Early on in the settling days, wild cows, horses and hogs roamed the land of the Wildwoods-to-be and some of the few residents there used the animals for target practice.

(Information for this article was researched at the Wildwood Historical Society’s George F. Boyer Museum.)


Monday, 4 April 2011

10'6'' alligator caught in WBR backyard - nbc33tv.com

4 April 2011


A neighborhood in Port Allen got a visit from an unwanted resident Monday morning. A 10ft 6 in alligator, weighing over 400 lbs, was caught sunning in the backyard of a home on Bueche Road.

West Baton Rouge Sheriff's Deputy Donald Dorsey took the call. He said he was shocked to see such a large alligator in a residential area.

Nuisance animal hunters trapped the creature and carried him away; that alligator is now on its way to a wildlife sanctuary out of state.

Deputy Dorsey says this is the first report of an alligator in the Bueche Road area, but it is not uncommon in more rural portions of West Baton Rouge. In his 15 years on the force, this is the fourth large gator he has had removed.


Sunday, 3 April 2011

Zimbabwe: Seven Survive Croc Attacks, One Amputated - allafrica.com

3 April 2011

Mbire District — SEVEN schoolchildren have over the past five months been attacked seperately by crocodiles along Angwa and Musengezi rivers here.

Hardlife Kawara (12) of Komba Village has had a leg amputated, while Francis Taveshure (10) of Mashiri Village's right arm is now paralysed.

After surviving the attacks, the victims - aged between eight and 12 years - had to travel about 30km to Mushumbi Pools for treatment.

Save the Children, a non governmental organisation, has been assisting some of the victims with transport to hospital and money for medical bills.

Two boys who came off worse from the attacks live in the most remote villages in Mashonaland Central Province, just 4km from the Mozambique border.

They have dropped out of school.

Hardlife can no longer walk the 20km to school daily with his artificial leg, while Francis cannot write and is struggling to use his left hand.

Two victims of the latest attacks that occurred in February - Prosper Musiyakurimwa (8) and Augustine Mwanza (11) from Manheza and Charuma villages - were last week still at Pari-renyatwa Hospital in Harare.

Chamu Mukangaza of Komba Village and Pro-mise Magaso of Chikanyure Village and another boy from Chatima Village were treated at local clinics.

The Herald news team opted not to risk cro-ssing the crocodile-infested Angwa River on foot to Chatima Village to get details on the seventh attack.

There are no bridges in the area.

Villagers have no option than to wade across the crocodile-infested river daily.

Save the Children programmes director Mr Sibangani Shumba last Friday said: "We are operating in the area through our partnership with the Ministry of Education Sport, Arts and Culture. We have money set aside to meet the children's special needs, especially those with disabilities.

"We just stumbled upon the crocodile attack victims and assisted them with the little money we had because they fell under the category of children we normally help."

Mbire legislator Cde Paul Mazikana (Zanu-PF) appealed for assistance to construct bridges across the rivers.

"The rate at which our schoolchildren are bei-ng attacked by crocodiles is scary and we urgen-tly need footbridges on major rivers to minimise the attacks.

"Seven children have been attacked, some sustaining permanent injuries. People are now living in fear. Apart from bridges, there is need for awareness campaigns in villages so that people are taught life-saving tactics in the event of attacks."

Hardlife's father Mr Borders Kawara appealed for financial assistance to take his son to a boarding school so that he would not have to walk about much.

"My son's condition does not allow him to walk 20km to Mupedzapasi Primary School.

"Hardlife now has an artificial leg and the leg is not the correct size. He was only given what was available and he is uncomfortable and in pain," said Mr Kawara.

Mr Edward Taveshure - Francis' father -added: "It is not easy to look after someone who has a disability.

"Francis' hand was permanently injured and he cannot do anything with it.

"It was the right hand that broke in the attack and he cannot write. He cannot do any work and I am appealing for any form of assistance.

"We have not harvested this year because I spent most of my time at Harare Hospital with Francis.

"To make matters worse, our small maize field was affected by the dry spell and we harvested so little."

In addition, villagers have lost hundreds of cattle and goats to marauding lions, hyenas and leopards.

Elephants have also ravaged maize crops.

Crocodile fished out of well - ibnlive.in.com

3 April 2011

Nashik, (PTI) Forest department officials and nature-lovers succeeded in fishing out a crocodile trapped in a well in the village Ravalgaon in Malegaon taluka. The crocodile was found in the well in Rajendra Vadkte's farm two days ago. The reptile, around 3 years old, weighs around 75 kg, and is five feet long. Officials first pumped out water in the well, tied up the crocodile with ropes, and pulled it out with the help of local nature lovers yesterday. It will be released in Jayakwadi reservoir.

(Northwest India)