Limpopo has really had a hard time over the last few weeks with serious flooding. As if the destruction of hundreds of homes wasn’t enough, the flood is also responsible for the escape of 15 000 crocodiles into the Limpopo River.
Zane Langman, of the Rakwena Crocodile Farm, said that they had been forced to open the gates to release the water-pressure building up on the walls. They feared that the walls would be crushed: little did they know that by the time the flood had reached its full force, it would flow straight over their enclosure.
They had to evacuate their farm. In the midst of the chaos, there was a malfunction with the boat, said Langman. There was a delay while it was repaired, and they arrived just in the nick of time to rescue friends who had been completely surrounded by swimming crocs.
The team has been trying to recapture as many of the runaway crocs as possible, but more than half remain at large. Any farmers who spot crocodiles have been asked to alert the team as soon as possible. One crocodile was apparently found on a rugby field in Musina, but was removed without incident.
A TV remote from Rakwena Crocodile Farm that remained after the flood. Photo by Deaan Vivier.
