Vet has arm reattached after crocodile attack

Associated Press
Published: Friday, April 13, 2007 Article tools

TAIPEI, Taiwan -- Surgeons reattached a Taiwanese zookeeper's forearm Thursday after a 200-kilogram Nile crocodile chomped it off and colleagues recovered the limb from the reptile's mouth, an official said.

The male crocodile severed Chang Po-yu's forearm on Wednesday at the Shaoshan Zoo in the southern city of Kaohsiung when the veterinarian tried to retrieve a tranquilizer dart from the reptile's hide so he could give it medication, zoo officials said.

The forearm was reattached following seven hours of surgery on Thursday.

The Liberty Times newspaper said Chang failed to notice that the crocodile was not fully anesthetized when he stuck his arm through an iron rail to medicate it.

The 17-year-old reptile is one of a pair of Nile crocodiles kept by the Kaohsiung zoo.

Known as a man-eater because of its voracious nature, the crocodile is listed as an endangered species, and is rapidly disappearing from its native African habitat.

As Chang was rushed to the hospital on Wednesday, a zoo worker shot two bullets at the crocodile's neck to retrieve the forearm, said Chen Po-Tsun, a zoo official.

"The crocodile was unharmed as we didn't find any bullet holes on its hide," Chen said. "It probably was shocked and opened its mouth to let go of the limb."

Chen said the zoo purchased the crocodile 10 years ago from a local resident who had kept it as a pet.

© Associated Press 2007

when one sees the croc's population in the mara river or okavango delta one shouldn't presume that crocs belong to endengared species
regarding man-eater: i thought that the salties were the most aggressive ones

close down zoos and it'll be fine
- Edited by pippa on 14.04.2007, 21:13 -

Zimbabwe: Man (48) Dies in Croc Attack

The Herald (Harare)

April 17, 2007
Posted to the web April 17, 2007

A 48-YEAR-OLD Masvingo man was yesterday attacked and killed by a crocodile while he was poaching fish in Mutirikwi Dam in Masvingo.

The incident occurred at around 1am and the remains of Tawanda Mukozha have not yet been found.

Police spokesperson Inspector Jessie Banda said Mukozha, who was in the company of his friend Refinos Mutumwa (34), went to Mutirikwi Dam at Simon Plot where they threw nets to catch fish.

Mukozha waded into the dam while Mutumwa remained on the banks.

While there, he was attacked by the crocodile which dragged him deep into the water.

Insp Banda said Mutumwa rushed to Mazare Shopping Centre and phoned the police. Police attended the scene but nothing was recovered.

Mutumwa was arrested and he is being charged with fishing without a permit under the Parks and Wildlife Act.

1am (!!) wading croc infested waters seems to me quite suizidal
i guess the fishing companion accepts the charges happily ...............

SAfrican game reserve owner killed by lions

20 Apr 2007 16:48:16 GMT
Source: Reuters

JOHANNESBURG, April 20 (Reuters) - A South African game reserve owner was mauled to death by a pride of lions on Friday while horrified paramedics watched helplessly, authorities said.

Dirk Brink, 58, was pronounced dead shortly after the attack at the Krugersdorp Game Reserve outside Johannesburg.

Paramedics called to the scene were unable to get to Brink immediately because of the danger posed by the lions, Mark Stokoe, a spokesman for South African emergency service provider Netcare 911, told the SAPA news agency.

"They had to wait for game rangers and police to chase the lions away," said Stokoe, who added that Brink had apparently been dragged into the bushes by the lions after getting out of his vehicle.

"Everything is safe until you forget it can be dangerous!"