Gustave (crocodile)

A photograph of Gustave by Martin Best for National Geographic

Gustave is a large male Nile crocodile from Burundi. He is notorious for being a man-eater, and is rumored to have killed as many as 300 humans from the banks of the Ruzizi River and the northern shores of Lake Tanganyika. Though the actual number is difficult to verify, he has obtained near-mythical status and is greatly feared by people in the region.^[1]^[2]

Gustave was named by Patrice Faye, a herpetologist who has been studying and investigating him since the late 1990s; much of what is known about Gustave stems from the film Capturing the Killer Croc, which aired in 2004 on PBS. The film documents a capture attempt and study on Gustave.^[1]

Description

Since Gustave has not been captured, his exact length and weight is unknown, but in 2002 it was stated that he could be "easily more than 18 feet (5.5 meters) long", and weigh more than a ton. Some estimates have put Gustave at 7.5 meters (25 feet) or more in length. He was estimated to be around 100 years old in order to achieve such outstanding size; however, further more careful observation of Gustave revealed a complete set of teeth when he opened his mouth. Since a 100-year old crocodile "should be nearly toothless" (according to the documentary), he was estimated to be "probably no older than 60, and likely, still growing".

Gustave is also known for the three bullet scars on his body. His right shoulder blade was also found to be deeply wounded. Circumstances surrounding the four scars are unknown. Scientists and herpetologists who have studied Gustave claim that his uncommon size and weight impedes his ability to hunt the species' usual, agile prey such as fish, antelope and zebra, forcing him to attack larger animals such as hippopotamus, large wildebeest and, to some extent, humans. According to a popular local warning, he is said to hunt and leave his victims' corpses uneaten.^[2] The documentary film also stated that since crocodiles can go several months without eating, Gustave could afford to select his prey carefully.

In parts of Asia and Australia saltwater crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus) of 6 metres (20 ft) long are occasionally reported; individuals of 9 metres (30 ft) long have also been reported. In eastern India the Guinness Book of World Records has confirmed the existence of a 7 meter individual.^[3]

Capture attempt

In Capturing the Killer Croc, Patrice Fey and other scientists attempted to capture Gustave. According to the film, Patrice performed two years of investigations before the attempt. Patrice and her team were given a 2-month time slot for their capture attempt, thereafter a change of government would risk plunging the country into civil war. First, a trap cage weighing a tonne and nearly 9 meters (30 feet) in length was developed. The team then located Gustave and installed and baited it—placing a hidden infrared inside as well. Several different kinds of bait were used, yet none of them attracted Gustave or any other creature. The scientists then installed three giant snares on strategic banks to increase their chances of capture; although smaller crocodiles were caught by the traps, Gustave wasn't.

In the last week before being forced to leave the country, the team placed a live goat in the cage; but night after night nothing happened until one night, the camera gave out due to stormy weather; the next morning, the cage was found partially submerged and the goat had disappeared. They speculated that the rising waters helped the crocodile to escape, or that the cage had failed; but with no visual evidence as to what happened, the team was unable to discover what had happened on that night.^[1]^[2]

Last reported sighting

The last reported sighting of Gustave was in February 2008 by National Geographic sources.^[4] A lack of subsequent reports makes Gustave's current status unknown.

In fiction

Gustave is the basis of the film Primeval (originally titled Gustave), released in 2007 and starring Dominic Purcell, Orlando Jones, Brooke Langton, and Jurgen Prochnowwhich. It tells the story of a news team sent to Burundi to capture a giant crocodile.^[5]

References