What’s that lurking in the dark? A crook-adile!
Crocodile or crook-odile? EPR Security caught a crocodile 'breaking into' a woman's yard.
EPR Security on the West Rand received a rather unusual phone call from a client in Piet Joubert Street in Monument on Saturday night, September 30.
It turns out that while security expected an actual criminal with a dangerous weapon they instead found a young Nile crocodile with sharp teeth in the client’s backyard. It’s said this croc was one of two on the loose that evening, with the other croc believed to be found in another resident’s swimming pool of which the area location is unknown at this stage.
EPR general manager Johan Krogh confirmed the crocodiles belong to a resident nearby who was allegedly unaware of what his reptiles were up to.
Many people on social media have since wondered if it is even legal to own a crocodile and the answer is yes.
According to SPCA inspector Mike Allen, one can indeed own such a reptilian pet but with very strict conditions.
“A person can only have them if they have permits. Any indigenous animal being held in captivity requires a permit from the local provincial nature conservation body to be kept as a pet or for show. The NSPCA acts not only in terms of the Animals Protection Act 71 of 1962 in all cases but where any animal is on exhibit by a private individual or company, they must also comply with the provisions of the Performing Animals Protection Act 24 of 1935 (PAPA) as amended,” Mike said.
To add to that, Mike said permits can be issued by any Nature Conservation permitting official, and a license issued by an official from the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development in terms of the PAPA, cannot be issued without the official taking due consideration of the animal’s welfare. This outcome is aligned with the High Court Ruling – NSPCA vs DEA (CASE No: 86515/2017) to ensure that the rights of animals are protected.
The two crocodiles are safe and at the SPCA premises. No injuries were reported.
