Drone search yields no evidence of crocodile
Officials behind the investigation of the crocodile have confirmed zero evidence of the reptile on the Blesbokspruit.
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.
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 the investigation.
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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 was scheduled for Saturday.
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.
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RAWR said an official from GDARD has been to the spruit and confirmed that the killed crocodile seen in the video is unrelated.
In an update, an extensive search of the area was conducted on Saturday and there were no traces of the crocodile found.
Hefer said a thorough search with two drones was done over the sectioned part of the Blesbokspruit where the reptile was first located and in both directions to determine which direction it could have moved.
“The resolution of the drones is really strong and in some of the photos, you can see the fish in the water. This clearly means if there was a crocodile in those waters during the search, we would have seen it,” he added.
“With all the meddling from the community, we think the reptile has gone off to seek greener and safer pastures.”
Kock joined the team of officials that were on site and confirmed there was no sign of the reptile. She cautioned residents to remain aware and to immediately report any sightings.
“Residents must be extra vigilant and refrain from going to the spruit and its surrounding areas,” said Kock.
The Advertiser is awaiting comment from GDARD.
