Diving with crocodiles

The idea of scuba diving with a Nile crocodile did not seem like a good one, even with the added value of retrospect.

Jumping overboard in Botswana’s Okavango Delta with a full wet suit, tank, fins and mask was just the beginning of the swim with this, and other toothy predators for Emmy Award Winning Wildlife Cinematographer, Graeme Duane.

“When doing anything this risky, one has to have a good reason. This was not blind recklessness, but rather a genuine fascination for a hidden environment and its inhabitants,” said Duane, who’s mission was to finish a film with South African production company Earth-Touch called Diving with Crocodiles.

“People often ask how we are able to dive with such a terrifying creature. I feel that we stumbled through one of nature’s loopholes. Nile crocodiles are apex predators and they vie with the hippo for pole position as the most dangerous animal on the continent. To use the cliche, diving with a croc is not something to try at home, but slowly and surely we’d found it very possible and quite exhilarating.”

Crocodile researcher Vince Shacks, safety diver extraordinaire Richard Boltar and Duane had to get more shots of big crocodiles underwater, and map out the dark cave systems that they use to get around the delta system. For those who don’t know the “panhandle”, it is where the Okavango river channels down a narrow sluice before fanning out into the actual delta.

“Picture the gnarled handle of a shredded and rusted frying pan. At certain times of the year, the water runs clear here and one peek beneath the surface reveals an amazing parallel world.

“From beneath, water lilies are a rich purple, and they flower underwater too.

“Little minnows have blue eye-shadow or tiger stripes and parts of the Okavango lagoons look like manicured stands from the Chelsea Flower Show. In the main channel of the panhandle the flow is much stronger.

“The first thing that strikes you here is the color. You are in an electric emerald green world.”

He said finding the crocs was quite easy – they waited for them to get warm, and motored along the channels in a boat, watching them lying on the bank.

“They all dive beneath the surface, and this is where the guess work begins. You have to jump overboard and find them, after checking for hippos first.”

To find out what they found and to hear more of Duane’s extraordinary adventure stories, join him at the All Souls Church in Salt Rock on May 13 at a fund-raising event for Summerhill House. Tickets cost R150 and before the talk at 6.30pm, there will be a picnic starting at 5:30pm, so bring your baskets of goodies. No children under 10 allowed. Book your spot with Lisa on fundraiser@summerhh.org.za or on 032-9471210.

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