Two hungry and thirsty crocodiles are recovering in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) after a week-long ordeal with their snouts taped shut, the Witness reported on Tuesday.
The metre-and-a-half-long crocs were rescued from the Umgeni River near Wartburg by the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) and animal rights organisation Justice for Animals.
They were recuperating at Ezemvelo KwaZulu-Natal Wildlife.
SPCA inspector Daniel Stewart and Justice for Animals director Steve Smit took to the river in a canoe several times in the past week searching for the crocodiles.
They were eventually found on a log in the middle of the river.
Pietermaritzburg paddler Tracy Ireland said she first noticed the taped crocodiles two Saturdays ago while she was acting as sweep for a novice canoe race.
”We paddlers all know crocs are in the river but they don’t bother us and we don’t bother them. But to see this oke taped up was a hell of a thing.”
The crocodiles carried numbered tags believed to originate from the South African Crocodile Traders farm.
Stewart said the owner of the crocodile farm, Trevor Kelly, could offer no reasonable explanation.
”The possibility of theft was discussed and he agreed to investigate and, if necessary, step up security,” Stewart said.
He said Kelly agreed that biodegradable tape will be used in the future to tape crocodiles’ mouths during certain necessary procedures. — Sapa