AN eMdloti resident said she was shocked to discover a juvenile Nile crocodile resting on the sandbanks of the Tongaat River mouth on Saturday afternoon.
Shivani Moodley, who regularly travels to Ballito, was on the M4 bridge (going north) over the Tongaat River when the distinct shape of the apex predator caught her eye.
“I just had to stop the car because I couldn’t believe it. It was around 1.30pm and the tide was low. In the past while driving over I’ve spotted reed buck but never a crocodile. I actually made a u-turn further on and came back around to film the crocodile. He then got a little restless and slipped back into the water. It was an exciting experience,” she said.
Moodley added she hoped to warn fishermen in the area.
Peter Watson, owner of Crocodile Creek, an educational and tourist facility, said sometimes after heavy rains crocs are washed down the river and seek sanctuary in the reedbeds at the mouth of the river.
After viewing the footage, Watson confirmed the reptile was a Nile crocodile.
“It’s a juvenile crocodile and looks to be about 1.4 metres in length based on the video. The area near the mouth is ideal crocodile habitat. There are a few nesting areas, there’s reedbeds for coverage and nice sandbanks to rest on. We urge members of the public to contact us on 032 940 4444 should they spot crocodiles in the area,” he said.
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