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CROCODOPOLIS world of crocodilians TM SCIENCE · CULTURE · INDUSTRY · NEWS · COMMUNICATION · CONSERVATION
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NEWS
THE CROC PRESS
Regular coverage of crocodilians and people in headlines worldwide.
Wes von Papineäu News Page Editor Email: crocnews@crocodopolis.net _________________________________________________
Week of 29 April 07
(Some of this week's news items are in different languages. You may access the free translator by clicking on the link near the bottom of the page.)
04 May 07 Stumpy, the bob-tailed gator near you
Bill "Gator" Gates, a biologist with Alabama's Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge, estimates that "Stumpy," a local 10 foot/3 metre - long gator would be about 11 feet/3.3 metres long if he weren't missing the tip of his tail. Gates speculates that the animal may have lost the appendage to frostbite. Stumpy is not the only alligator potentially affected by the North Alabama cold. In 2001, Gates found a hatchling that appeared to have frozen to death. http://www.decaturdaily.com/decaturdaily/news/070504/stumpy.shtml
04 May 07 Deadline looms for say On draft croc conservation plan
Public submissions on the Australian Queensland Government's draft crocodile conservation plan close today. The aim of the state-wide plan, which was launched in Rockhampton in March, is to regulate the conservation and management of estuarine crocodiles for the next decade. http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200705/s1914295.htm
04 May 07 Drought, mating season Lead to Alligators being hit
For the second time in two days, an alligator was involved in an overnight crash in Florida. Trappers said that due to the drought Central Florida is experiencing they were picking up at least one dead gator from the side of the road every day. http://www.wftv.com/news/13256716/detail.html
03 May 07 Reggie...again
Another version of the Reggie the Gator story ... though the picture does not do him justice ... or does it? (Thanks to Lourik for the lead) http://moheet.com/asp/show_g.asp?pg=5&lc=25&lol=1942817
03 May 07 Lagi Pekerja Balak Disambar Buaya
Since this piece mentions crocodile (buaya) followed by the word 'meter'; I'm guess it's a herp-related event and not a discussion of a politician crying 'crocodile-tears'. Yes? No? (Note to self, learn Indonesian over the weekend- Wes) http://cyberita.asia1.com.sg/luarnegara/story/0,3617,95085,00.html
02 May 07 Udvidelse af Krokodille Zoo i fare
Your Crocodopolis Croc News delivery boy is remiss on not knowing who 'René Hedegaard' is, or anything about his place in the croc community. The following article and the one posted previously (29 April 07 - Krokodillemanden - René Hedegaard) indicate that the gentleman is very active in Denmark as of late. Either that or there has been a resurgence of dragonship-sailing Vikings led by Mr. Hedegaard terrorising the Danish coast! Anyone? http://www.dr.dk/Regioner/Sjaelland/Nyheder/Guldborgsund/2007/05/02/
02 May 07 Cocodrilo se traga a niño de cinco Años en oeste de México
A five-year old boy was being bathed in a Jalisco-state river River by his mother when taken by a crocodile. Apparently, the croc was of significant size since it is reported that the child was 'swallowed'. http://www.rpp.com.pe/portada/internacional/75919_1.php
02 May 07 Jongen van 5 jaar gedood Door krokodil in Mexico
From Belgium we have a very short Walloon-language report about the 5-year old taken by a croc in Mexico. http://www.standaard.be/Artikel/Detail.aspx?artikelId=DMF03052007_001 02 May 07 And just to prove how very small our world is now ... and how things 'crocodilian' now resonate world-wide, we have a Russian piece on the Texas car-chewing gator item previously reported. (30 April 07 Wayward gator grips TX traffic) http://pravda.ru/news/auto/02-05-2007/222307-Texas76978987-0
18 April 07 Paleontólogos brasileños Descubren una nueva especie ya Extinguida de cocodrilo
This item and impressive accompanying photo, describe the recent discovery of the crocodilian 'Adamantinasuchus navae' by Brasilian palaeontologists. The 50 cm/1.6 ft, 10 kilo/22 pound example is described as having lived 90 million years ago. http://www.elmundo.es/elmundo/2007/04/18/ciencia/1176866434.html
02 May 07 Irwin crew to help catch alligator
Steve Irwin's expert crew of Australian crocodile wranglers are set to fly to Los Angeles, California, USA to solve one of the city's great mysteries - where's Reggie? "They felt like it would be a great way to honour Steve's memory and fulfill his promise". Details of who would pay for Irwin's crew to fly to LA were still to be finalised. Adding to the folklore of Reggie, L.A. Council had enlisted a motley crew of American crocodile trappers to catch Reggie, but all failed. One coucillor delared "We've had our share of 'gator wranglers ... One of them had escaped from jail." http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,21657974-5
02 May 07 L.A. gator sighting Brings crowds, new questions
Reggie gators' home town paper has declared Gator Watch - Day 627; and as anticipated, press coverage of Califiornia's favourite son (of the moment) continues unabated. In addition, the usual 'cast of characters' have returned to their positions after an 18-month hiatus. Fred, the city parks groundskeeper and "go-to" guy for all questions about the alligator's most recent whereabouts now sports a high-tech Bluetooth ear set. Many of the 2005 Reggie Gator reporters and photographers are back lakeside and Author Angi Ma Wong is selling autographed copies of her 2005 children's book, REGGIE, the L.A. Gator from her car. http://www.dailybreeze.com/news/articles/7288191.html http://www.dailybreeze.com/news/articles/7269056.html?c=y&hid=114516345
01 May 07 Annual Crocodile Egg Eating Competition at Pattaya Croc Farm
And leaving the hourly Reggie-reports aside for just a moment in an attempt to return to our normal programming; we learn from Thailand about the annual Crocodile Egg Eating Competition at the Pattaya Crocodile Farm. Be the first to down 10 eggs and walk away with 10,000 Baht ($308 US/€ 227) ... in cash http://www.pattayacitynews.net/news_01_05_50.htm
28 April 07 Hunt gators now, Or they'll see you later
From an Arkansas, USA paper we have a reader's inquiry about the implications of the state's recently initiated gator hunt. The 1960 reptile census estimated only 200 alligators were spread across the bayous and swamps in deep southern Arkansas, but today it's estimated that there are 950,000 alligators spread from the brackish coves of Lake Jack Lee in Ashley County to Harris Brake Wildlife Management Area; from Millwood Lake near Texarkana to the St. Francis River drainage canals northeast of Forrest City. Locals are concerned that the gators pose a threat to people encroaching on the enlarged gator areas: students in western Little Rock were horrified earlier this month when a soccer ball kicked over the back fence was swallowed whole by a gator, and 37 pet cats have disappeared from a subdivision since September. http://www.nwanews.com/adg/Style/188675/
01 May 07 Alligator attacks Florida golfer
A Florida golfer was allegedly attacked by a 6-foot alligator while attempting to retrieve a golf ball near a small pond. The victim suffered puncture and scratch wounds on his left leg and left hand State wildlife officials called a trapper who caught, removed and killed the animal, according to the report. Officers reported the animal appeared to have been fed by humans. http://www.thevillagesdailysun.com/articles/2007/05/01/news/news02.txt
01 May 07 Hunt called off for campus alligator - Mystery leaves question of mistake, Hoax or prehistoric lizard
The small 'alligator' reported to be loose in a ravine at Canada's Trinity Western University has mysteriously vanished. "I don't want to call it a hoax, so maybe the better term is mistake" said the animal care worker brought in to capture the wayward critter. However, Barrie Alden, the former Lower Mainland director of the B.C. Wildlife Federation and ardent amateur cryptozoologist, said he thinks the alligator may be a creature he's been tracking since the 1970s. "This is still in the realm of the sasquatch, but the ancient stories and my research confirm it -- these reptiles, small alligators or large salamanders, keep appearing. . . . Mark my words, one of these days, someone's going to discover a new species and it will explain everything." http://www.canada.com/theprovince/news/story.html?id=9c2fb 25d-ba1d-409b-87f2-7ad8a79c8138
29 April 07 Krokodillemanden - René Hedegaard This Danish-language item is easily the longest and most (apparently) detailed report that I have ever found on things crocodilian-related in Denmark. It goes without saying that Danish is another language that I have no ability with. http://www.berlingske.dk/ms/artikel:aid=889960
25 April 07 3 ontkomings met krokodille maak Einde aan visvang
(Dries Liebenberg) From Durban, South Africa we learn that "Krokodille is opportunistiese jagters wat stilletjies nader kom, hul prooi teiken, dit vinnig bestorm en dan die water insleep" ... and I'd have probably learned much more if I read Afrikaans. (Anybody?) http://www.news24.com/Beeld/Suid-Afrika/0,,3-975_2104742,00.html
01 May 07 Reclusive runaway Reggie Resurfaces in L.A. after 18 months
Well, cry 'Gator' and release the hounds of frenzy ... we have two items on Reggie, the elusive alligator that humbled a parade of burly gator wranglers at Lake Machado, California during the summer of 2005, is back. Los Angeles Councilwoman Janice Hahn said that based on witnesses' reports to Reggie's 90 minute appearance, Reggie may have grown to about 7 feet/2.1 m - a foot longer than before - and that the reptile's head appeared to be larger. Reggie, illegally dumped in the lake by a former LAPD officer and another man sometime in early 2005, was first spotted in early August that year. A succession of gator wranglers were unsuccessful in their attempts to capture the abandoned pet, but their exploits drew hundreds of onlookers. Kevin Regan, assistant general manager of the city's parks department stated "He's a full-grown alligator with all the capability to kill someone.". Protective fencing and a 24-hour patrol is being placed around the lake. In the meantime, Los Angeles is hoping to obtain restitution from two men who have been charged with dumping Reggie in the lake in mid-2005. About US $180,000 (€132,000) has been spent to date on security measures related to Reggie. http://www.dailynews.com/news/ci_5789238 http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/california/la-me-reggie1may01, 1,5754892.story?coll=la-headlines-pe-california
30 April 07 Wayward gator grips TX traffic
In Texas an 8 foot/2.4 m alligator decided to provide an impromptu roadblock across a major highway for a couple of hours. Police officers came up with creative ways of their own to push the alligator off the road including trying to scare it with police sirens; soothing with a lullaby sung over a loudspeaker (Loudspeaker?! Lullaby?! Wes); and throwing traffic cones (which were subsequently mashed by the gator). The arrival of the game warden and a sturdy pole finally got the grumpy gator lassoed and moved back to a local pond. One police officer stated: "I don't remember any of this in the academy ... As far as I know, there's no procedure on this other than: 'Don't get bit.'" Throughout the ordeal, the animal never harmed anyone; however, it took a chunk out of the back and front bumper of a police car. (Refer back to "Don't get bit!" comment above! Wes.) http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/traffic/stories/MYSA043007.01A.gator_
29 April 07 Alligator gives residents a scare - Trapper catches 9-foot gator in bay
Florida gators continue their annual mating meandering, with the latest incident making the press happening in Gulf Breeze, Florida. A 9-foot/2.7 m, 300-pound/135 kg, freshwater alligator was spotted in a 3 foot/1 m deep 'salt water' bay behind some condominiums. Nuisance alligator trapper Tiger Godwin responded to the incident and after determining that "the alligator was one of the most aggressive they have ever trapped." It was to be destroyed after its' capture. "He's mad," Godwin said. "He wasn't afraid of me. He'd go out there two or three times, circle and come back. Usually when you throw something at them, they leave. But he wasn't afraid. It's a good thing no one was swimming out there." http://www.pensacolanewsjournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070429/
30 April 07 Crocodiles spotted in Medan river
Four crocodiles have been spotted in the Deli River of Indonesia. It's the first time that crocs have been seen in that particular body of water. http://www.thejakartapost.com/detailnational.asp?fileid=20070430.
29 April 07 Croc victim forensics - Are you game?
Australian CSI for crocophiles - Dr. Walter Wood gave a public presentation on how forensic anthropologists examine human skeletal remains from the intestines of crocodiles. http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/news/whatson/croc-victim- forensics-are-you-game/2007/04/29/1177787947935.html
29 April 07 Charles Swaby... Making a business of crocs
Charles Swaby, owner and operator of Black River Safari Tour, runs a 40-member 'nuisance' crocodile" farm on the Island. Swaby's reserve, located on the 2 hectare/five-acre property where he grew up, provides a near-natural environment and a safe haven for the crocodiles, many of which were captured by humans when they strayed too far from their natural swampy habitats. Potential dangers aside, what of the expense of keeping the appetites of the giant lizards assuaged? "Put it this way, some people throw away their money on gambling, I throw mine away on crocodiles," said the man who gave his age as "close to three score and 10". The self-taught crocodile expert has no regrets. He said that although the attraction sees an "appreciable" number of visitors each year, profits could be better. But Swaby says he is fulfilled because he is doing something he enjoys. http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/html/20070428T200000-0 500_122329_OBS_CHARLES_SWABY____MAKING_A_BUSINESS_OF_CROCS_.asp
28 April 08 Fear & loathing in Australia
From Australia we have one reporter's long and detailed assessment of Queenslanders' feeling towards the estimated 30,000 crocodiles in the territory. Since the turn of the century, stretches of the popular northern beaches of Cairns, and The Strand at Townsville, have been closed for days after croc sightings. Some have basked on the sand, others have popped up inside stinger nets. Children have been attacked. A generation of Northerners who have swum with confidence in their azure seas are getting jumpy. The consummate survivor is back in its only predator's sights. River tour operator Brian Belcher says many in the north still don't see the point of protecting something that can kill humans, ... "I'd say 50 per cent of the people up here don't want them around". Environment Minister Lindy Nelson-Carr are facing an extraordinarily difficult problem: convincing urbanised North Queenslanders they can share their beaches with crocodiles. http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,21616666
27 April 07 Third croc attack of April In eastern Malaysia
An 18-year-old camp worker has become the latest victim of crocodile attacks in eastern Malaysia, the third crocodile attack in Sarawak state this month, the local press reported Friday. http://english.people.com.cn/200704/27/eng20070427_370360.html
23 April 07 Kansas Man charged For releasing alligator in wild
A Topeka, Kansas, USA man will face charges for releasing an alligator into Lake Shawnee. He may be fined up to $500. The alligator has been caught and taken to a nature center. http://www.49abcnews.com/news/2007/apr/23/topeka_man_charged_
23 April 07 Crocodiles panic Indian villages
KENDRAPARA: Panic gripped more than a dozen of riverside villages of Kendrapara district’s Mahakalpada and Aul block following official reports of intrusion of saltwater crocodiles from the Bhitarkanika wildlife sanctuary into the Luna and Kani Rivers. http://www.thestatesman.net/page.arcview.php?clid=9&id=181909&usrsess=1
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