VANDERBIJLPARK — Believe it or not, a 3m crocodile has been spotted in the Vaal River, sparking widespread interest far beyond the area.

On August 11, a specialised unit from the Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, responsible for wildlife permits, poaching and problem animals, met with the SAPS Water Wing in the area where the animal was seen to discuss the best way forward. Specialists explained that tracking and catching a crocodile in a river as vast as the 1200km Vaal is extremely difficult.

Help is on the way, however, as Charles van der Merwe of Africa Crocodiles in Pongola, who has extensive experience in capturing crocodiles, has kindly agreed to travel to the Vaal to assist.

Local riverside resident Rosemary Anderson noted that the preferred outcome has always been to safely catch and relocate the crocodile if possible, making the involvement of Africa Crocodiles very welcome news. Experts estimate the reptile is around 15 years old, though nobody can say for sure how long it has lived in the area. It may have quietly made the river its home over a long period, or perhaps found its way there during various floods in recent years.

Van der Merwe plans to place two specialised crocodile traps in the river to catch the animal safely before arranging its relocation. He has offered his time and expertise free of charge and was expected to arrive in the Vaal on Monday, provided everything goes to plan.

Anderson praised the strong community spirit, noting that residents and businesses immediately stepped up to offer boats, accommodation, meals and any other support needed for the operation. She compared this unity to the cooperation seen during the previous water hyacinth crisis, where the community successfully tackled an overwhelming challenge together.

People are strongly advised to avoid swimming, skiing, or entering the Vaal River in this area.

Finally, Anderson expressed her gratitude to van der Merwe, the local police Water Wing, the provincial department, and all the residents and businesses who have offered assistance, shared information or helped in any way.

As a sensible precaution, people are strongly advised to avoid swimming, skiing, or entering the Vaal River in this area until the crocodile has been found, captured, and relocated.

Crocodile experts believe the animal is a West African slender-snouted crocodile. This species consists of shy, medium-sized predators that mostly eat fish and rarely attack humans. Attacks are extremely rare because their narrow jaws are specialised for catching aquatic prey rather than large mammals.

Adult males typically grow between 3m – 4m long, though exceptional specimens can reach about 4.5m. They generally weigh between 125kg and 325kg. By comparison, most serious or fatal crocodile attacks in Africa involve the larger and extremely aggressive Nile crocodile.