WATCH: Close encounter with crocodile at Richards Bay’s Casuarinas

THE crocodile that has been keeping Richards Bay residents on their toes for the past few weeks was spotted last (Monday) night at Casuarinas, near the Small Craft Harbour, by a fisherman who unwittingly blocked its path.

It was just after 9pm when the fisherman was going home from a night’s angling, that he saw the croc on the path in front of his bakkie.

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The croc reportedly lunged at the bakkie, damaging one of the spotlights.

North Coast Anti-Poaching (NCAP) was called out to assist in coaxing the croc away from the vehicle.

‘We arrived there at about 9.20pm and the croc had apparently run out of a small pool of water, towards the bakkie, before it lunged at the bakkie,’ said George Shacks of NCAP.

‘We managed to herd the croc away from the immediate area, towards a sandbank.’

Shacks said the reptile was easily as long as the 3m pole with which he sent it on its way.

Having initially been seen at the Small Craft Harbour’s recreational beach and in the vicinity of the commercial slipway, the crocodile was seen near berth 708 at the weekend, close to where it was seen on Monday night.

Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife honorary officers said the reptile appears to be looking for a quiet area away from people and headed to Casuarinas, which is still officially closed to the public.

Unsuccessful attempts by the relevant conservation authorities to trap the crocodile in order to relocate it have led to discussions on how else to remove it from the area.

Capturing and relocating of wildlife can only be done by Ezemvelo as the region’s conservation authority.

This involves much planning as the animal cannot simply be released anywhere, and permits must first be secured.

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