Crocodile attack

Crocodile attacks on people are common in places where large crocodiles are native and human populations live.

Only six of the 23 crocodilian species are considered dangerous to adult humans, and only individuals 2 metres (6.6 ft) in length or more represent a serious danger to humans, as smaller crocodiles are considered incapable of killing a person. However, even the smallest species can inflict painful bites requiring stitches if harassed. In addition, a small child may be of a similar size to the prey of some of the crocodilian species incapable of preying on adult humans.

The two species with the most well-known and documented reputation for preying on humans are the Nile crocodile and saltwater crocodile. Each year, hundreds of deadly attacks are attributed to the Nile crocodile in sub-Saharan Africa. On New Guinea, Borneo and the Solomon Islands attacks by saltwater crocodiles often occur. The mugger crocodile is also very dangerous to humans, killing many people in India every year. The American crocodile, while generally considered to be less aggressive, does occasionally kill humans and a handful of fatalities are reported and confirmed every year in Central America and southern Mexico. The black caiman is also responsible for several recorded human fatalities every year within the Amazon basin and the surrounding regions. The American alligator is responsible for human fatalities, with most occurring in Florida.

Contents

Background

An accurate count of annual crocodile attacks on humans is difficult to obtain. Many of the areas in which humans and large crocodiles come into contact are remote, impoverished, or in areas of political unrest. Thus, crocodile attacks are not always reported to local authorities, and some reports are difficult to verify. However some information does exist; for example, it was reported by the Campfire project in Zimbabwe that in the first ten months of the year in 2005 Crocodiles were the number one cause of death in humans where wildlife was involved – with the number of deaths cited as 13.

The most deaths in a single crocodile attack incident may have occurred during the Battle of Ramree Island, on February 19, 1945, in what is now Burma. Nine hundred soldiers of an Imperial Japanese Army unit, in an attempt to retreat from the Royal Navy and rejoin a larger battalion of the Japanese infantry, crossed through ten miles of mangrove swamps that contained saltwater crocodiles. Twenty Japanese soldiers were captured alive by the British, and almost five hundred are known to have escaped Ramree. Many of the remainder may have been eaten by the crocodiles, although since this incident took place during an active military conflict, it is impossible to know how many deaths can be directly attributed to the crocodiles instead of to combat-related causes.

Some well-reported attacks

Many people have been killed by crocodiles throughout Southeast Asia and Australia. Since 1990, these include:

See also

References

  1. ^ Bujang Senang in Malay with picture.
  2. ^ "People trap crocodile at Neyyar". hinduonnet.com. 2001-05-26. http://www.hinduonnet.com/2001/05/26/stories/0426404t.htm. Retrieved 2011-06-02. 
  3. ^ "Killer crocodile abnormal". hindu.com. 2001-01-04. http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/2001/01/04/stories/0404404x.htm. Retrieved 2011-06-02. 
  4. ^ Wendy Lewis (2007). See Australia and Die. New Holland. ISBN 9781741105834. 
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i Recent crocodile deaths in Australia. Smh.com.au (2009-04-11). Retrieved on 2011-03-19.
  6. ^ Snorkel Brit Is Killed By Croc. mirror.co.uk (2005-09-27). Retrieved on 2011-03-19.
  7. ^ Croc leaves only girl's head: World: News: News24. Replay.waybackmachine.org. Retrieved on 2011-03-19.
  8. ^ Croc kills kid at holiday park: News24: World: News. News24 (2007-04-22). Retrieved on 2011-03-19.
  9. ^ Boy's body found in crocodile BBC News, 18 February 2009.
  10. ^ Crocodile Kills NJ Woman Lauren Failla Snorkeling in Indian Ocean. Aolnews.com (2010-05-07). Retrieved on 2011-03-19.
  11. ^ Lauren Failla DEAD: Vanderbilt Alum Killed By Crocodile 4 Years After Sister Dies In Climbing Accident. Huffingtonpost.com. Retrieved on 2011-03-19.
  12. ^ "River guide believed killed by crocodile in Congo". CNN. December 9, 2010. http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/africa/12/09/kayaker.crocodile/. Retrieved 8 December 2010. 
  13. ^ Philippines catches 'largest crocodile on record' ABS-CBNNews.com Retrieved on 2011-09-13.

Further reading

External links

General
Specific attacks