A KwaZulu-Natal game ranger was recovering in hospital on Thursday while his colleague was being feted as a hero for saving him from the jaws of a crocodile.
”We are looking at giving Sifiso Nxumalo a medal for his selfless bravery in saving a colleague,” said Maureen Zimu, spokesperson for Ezemvelo KwaZulu-Natal Wildlife.
Zimu said the drama started on Sunday morning when iMfolozi Wilderness Park rangers Eric Ngcobo and Nxumalo were on an extended anti-poaching patrol.
They were crossing a river in a wilderness area and were halfway through when a large crocodile grabbed Ngcobo’s arm and dragged him under the water.
Nxumalo immediately radioed base camp for help and then fired his R1 rifle into the water to frighten the crocodile away.
”He was afraid he was going to hit Ngcobo. He fired 18 rounds and when he ran out of ammunition he started slapping the water with the rifle butt,” said Zimu.
The crocodile let go of Ngcobo, and Nxumalo dragged his injured colleague to a sandbank. In the struggle, his radio had fallen into the water.
”But then help arrived and he was treated by paramedics, stabilised and taken to hospital,” she said.
Ngcobo’s left hand was amputated. Once he has recovered sufficiently, the organisation will decide where he will be redeployed.
Nxumalo, considered a hero, has been receiving counselling and has been given time off to be with his family as he recovers from the nightmare experience. — Sapa