27 Mar 2017

Police in Bobonong have warned members of the public to be vigilant after a crocodile was captured at the confluence of Motloutse and Mosu rivers last week at Mosung lands in Bobonong.

Bobonong station commander, Superintendent Paul Seoko said in an interview that they, together with the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP) officers captured the crocodile on Thursday after receiving a report that a farmer spotted the reptile in a water body between the two rivers on Wednesday.

Supt Seoko said Motloutse River was not known to have crocodiles and suspected it could be from Limpopo River following the recent floods that hit the area as crocodiles were known to swam the opposite direction during heavy water.

He warned members of the public to be extra careful as there could be more and other wild animals that could put the community’s lives in danger.

Supt Seoko said the captured reptile was not related to the February 2013 incident in which 18 000 crocodiles escaped from Ratho Crocodile Farm, South Africa into Motloutse and Limpopo rivers following heavy rains. However, he said all 18 000 were captured.

Supt Seoko warned parents to monitor movement of children as they were fond of swimming in Motloutse water bodies.

He appealed to members of the public to report cases of dangerous wild animals to the police, DWNP as well as the BDF should they spot any.

Senior Wildlife Warden at Bobonong, Mr Jafta Maphorisa said the captured crocodile was not fully grown but a sub adult, capable of killing a human being and other animals.

Mr Maphorisa said the crocodile’s behaviour showed it was not kept in captive before and would be taken to Limpopo River.