UPDATE: Officials conduct probe into Blesbokspruit crocodile
The investigation is ongoing.
A crocodile was spotted on the banks of the Blesbokspruit by a herder on February 16.
The man then left to report the unusual sighting to his peers. When they returned to look for it, the crocodile was no longer there.
A local fisherman spotted it again on Tuesday. He took photos and videos, which have since been circulating on social media.
Speaking to the Springs Advertiser, Ward 75 Clr Charmaine Kock confirmed the crocodile was indeed in the waters of a smaller river that feeds into the Blesbokspruit behind Slovo Park.
VIDEO:
Shawn Hefer from the Reptile and Wildlife Rescue Foundation (RAWR) confirmed the reptile to be a Nile crocodile (crocodylus niloticus), with its size unknown as it was mostly submerged at the time of investigation.
Although the community has been frequenting the river since the news broke, they have been advised by the City of Ekurhuleni to be vigilant as it is unclear where it is located.
According to the city’s spokesperson, Zweli Dlamini, the matter has been escalated to the Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (GDARD), as they are designated to handle and remove indigenous reptile species.
Dlamini added that a safe extraction of the reptile is scheduled for Saturday.
WATCH: Crocodile spotted in Springs
RAWR has urged the public to steer clear of the area for their own safety, and the safety of the crocodile, until the matter is resolved.
Furthermore, videos that have been circulating on social media showing the brutal killing of a crocodile have been deemed untrue by RAWR.
RAWR said an official from GDARD has been to the spruit and confirmed that the killed crocodile seen in the video is unrelated.
The Advertiser is awaiting comment from GDARD.
