Crocs

    We made a stop by the Croc Farm in Kazungula today because they had a dead crocodile that they needed help pulling out of one of the ponds. We went after they had already gotten it out, but Maria was going to attempt to collect its kidney’s for one of the experiments going on at the center. After several attempts to get into the stomach area, they gave up because they didn’t have the right tools to get through the ribs to the kidneys. Meanwhile, we explored the farm and got a look at the largest crocodile there – big Mike, I think was his name. He was HUGE!!! Picture below with him in the background. It was amazing looking at all of the crocodiles – there were tons at this place. They were all so lazy, though. Only saw a couple moving the entire time we were there. A man who works there took us up close to a couple and other than the huge one groaning at us a few times, it seemed like we could definitely dodge out of the way before they got to us! However, I have a feeling that these thoughts may be misguided because I’ve never actually seen one strike in real life. I think they can probably move quite fast when they want to. Our theory is that they store up all their energy for those few short bursts to get food (and attack people).

     There was one in the water that was entertaining us, going under then appearing five feet closer to us without any warning. It was fun to predict where he would come up next but amazing to realize that it really is nearly impossible to see them when they are moving underneath the algae-y surface of the water! This definitely reinforced my hesitancy of swimming in the Chobe River, which is croc and hippo infested. Apparently they can jump up into boats to snatch people as well…. Oh the wildlife dangers you encounter here! I’m just glad they were behind concrete walls today….