The owners of a Ballito crocodile farm are trying to recover from their losses after burglers made off with 75 kilograms of crocodile fat from their premises. Crocodile Creek is home to a number of reptiles and other animals, which can be viewed on guided tours.
As reported by Daily News, the incident took place on Sunday, October 11 when owner Pete Watson sent out a social media SOS calling for anyone with information to inform him whether they have seen or observed anyone selling crocodile meat or fat.
‘Our freezer container has had the locks smashed again. A considerable amount of stock was stolen. A number of large and small crocodiles have been stolen and injured over the past year,’ Watson said. ‘It is the muti trade no doubt. Nothing is safe in our beautiful country, not even crocodiles. One of these days the crocodiles will get lucky when these thefts take place at night.’
Due to lockdown, the crocodile farm has been closed for nearly five months, and staff has been cut down to just three employees.
‘We endured massive financial losses. It could be an inside job. They know how or where to climb over my fence and high wall. A random person would not walk through a crocodile enclosure. We have been victims three times in the past month alone,’ Watson added.
‘They also took frozen chickens that we feed to the crocodiles. There could be more than one person. We are not dealing with sheep or cattle. Five years ago, in 14 months we lost 305 crocodiles. They attract the crocodiles with baited hooks and pull them over the wall. It’s difficult to count them in the ponds because they stay submerged. Draining the ponds would be difficult.’
Police spokesperson Captain Nqobile Gwala said the incident was not reported to the oThongathi SAPS.
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