Four croc hatchlings ‘doing well’ at CROW

A CLUTCH of four little Nile Crocodiles and 18 unhatched eggs were admitted into the Centre for Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW) on Monday, 4 March.

Clint Halkett-Siddall, CROW director and reptile specialist said that the hatchlings are doing well, but all 18 of the unhatched egg embryos were found dead, probably because they were not handled properly when harvested by the public.

“Unfortunately reptile eggs are very sensitive. If they are rotated at all during the incubation period, the umbilical chord detaches,” said Halkett-Siddall.

The eggs were opened because crocodile eggs typically all  hatch within a 24-hour period.

“The crocodiles that hatched yesterday were a little premature, so we waited 24 hours and then opened the remaining eggs. Ideally the eggs would have hatched in a week’s time. In captivity,  crocodile eggs would be incubated for 90 days in a controlled environment of 80 percent humidity and 30 degrees Celsius,” said Halkett-Siddall.

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The eggs were handed over in Newlands West.

“We were called by a member of the public who is in construction. We are not sure where they were found, but they are definitely from KZN, and I would presume they were found in the north,” said Halkett-Siddall.

Nile crocodiles are common in KZN although they are rarely found in Durban, said Halkett-Siddall. “In Durban there have been some recorded, but generally they are more in the bush toward St Lucia,” he added.

The four hatchlings will be released into the wild in a year’s time when they are no longer vulnerable.

“The hatchlings are being kept here at CROW under my supervision. In the wild they would be protected by their mother and would have a 0,25 percent chance of survival. In the wild one out of 100 will survive. Because of this risk we will be keeping them for about a year until they are just over one meter long. We will then apply for permits to transport and release them,” said Halkett-Siddall.

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If community members find eggs, they are advised not to touch them at all as any movement will kill the crocodile embryo within.

“In the wild, the female crocodile will bury her eggs in a mound and is very protective. It’s unlikely to see eggs in the wild, but if they are found, the public must call CROW or Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife. We will check if the mother is around, if she is the eggs don’t need to be removed. If the mother not there and the eggs need to be protected we will move them professionally. It is illegal to remove eggs from the wild without a permit,” added Halkett-Siddall.

Call 031 4621127 to reach CROW or 031 274 1150 to reach Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, Durban.

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