A croc attack, the real shite

Given that causative factors in attacks with reference to crocodylian behavior are seldom noted from the wild, observations in captivity can provide us much information on this information deficient aspect of behavior. Principal in this instance is Cott’s remark on studying wild crocodylian populations: “they always seem to be observing us right back”. While keeping this in mind, let us remember that attacks in captivity represent an intricate relationship between the crocodile and the target of aggression (the human in this case), rather than the passive observation of behavior, from say, behind a hide. Therefore, as an attack victim we are prey in a predator-prey relationship, rather than an observer looking from the outside. Most attacks on humans by crocs in captivity are reported in popular news-papers, e-news sites, and by the television media.


I propose that there are three instances when crocodilians in captivity may display aggression towards humans: (a) feeding response, (b) as a function of parental care, (c) a territorial response, and (d) human mistake during capture/restraint.




Well, I guess its that time, to face (a).... Time to go back in time, to March 30, 1998, 1500 hrs. The real story of a croc attack, which I've held back posting on because its so freakin embarassing. I was calling out our 16 foot mascot, "Jaws", a saltwater crocodile male believed to be originally from Sarawak. I had managed to get him half way up the sand bank, a 30 degree slope, with lots of leaves and slippery matter. In the mean-time, a keeper was getting his 4-5 kilograms of feed. I noticed the keeper come in, which distracted me for about 2 seconds, which is when Jaws made his move. I saw the lunge out of the corner of my eye and put up my right hand to protect myself....too late. He got my hand, not as hard as he could have, hardly, and having not been able to detactch it from me, he slowly started to back into the water.

I was knee deep, and keeping a close eye on his eyes, to be able to tell when he would perform the final act; no images of my life going through my mind, no remorse for the things I had'nt done, just the eye contact. I suddenly realized a blur of red on my right, and there was Ramesh, the keeper, and he strongly nudged Jaws in the neck, after which the croc opened his mouth for me to get free, and focused his attention on Ramesh. I immediately got out, and washed out the hand in a bucket of water, at which point I could see the bottom of the bucket through my hand. The rest is stupid delays in medical care, which I needed immediately, so I'll leave that part out. Needless to say I was'nt able to write legibly for around 4 months.

Needless to say, I've seen other young lads in zoos in India and elsewhere performing similar shows, take care guys!