Under the Ubuntu Tree 2011 -2014

[stephan groen]

This is very sad indeed.

As previous mites have said, one error in judgment can have disastrous consequences.

While we agree that this is tragic and genuinely sympathize with the family in friends, one has to ask why the staff on duty at the golf course allowed the deceased to swim/jump into the lake 4 times. Surely after the first time the manager / officer on duty should have been running out shouting and stopping the people from jumping in again?

This absolute tragic event shows once again that the disregarding of rules and park regulations, paired with the failure to effectively enforce said rules, is not only a nuisance to others but rather poses a serious risk to visitors.

Please fellow mites do not see this as an attack against the deceased in any manner but rather me questioning why he was allowed to be in that position in the first place.

Irrespective of what I've said above, my heart goes out to parents who have lost their son in the place they love most.

May words written by Friedrich von Hörsten above really ring true and may you find healing in this terrible time.

[stephan groen]

As read on: http://traveller24.news24.com/News/Man-attacked-by-croc-was-playing-diving-for-golf-balls-game-20141204

Man attacked by crocodile was playing diving-for-golf-balls game

The 29-year-old man who died when he was attacked by a crocodile was diving for golf balls at the time, police in Skukuza, Mpumalanga, said on Thursday.

"He was with a friend and the two men had a competition to see who could get the most golf balls out of the water at the golf club's number nine hole," spokesperson Warrant Officer Oubaas Coetzer said.

"In the competition they went under [water] three times and then the crocodile attacked. He was found at around 3am with bite marks on his arms and upper body. No body parts were torn off."

The Kruger National Park (KNP) said the crocodile killed Jacques van der Sandt on Wednesday night at the Skukuza Golf Course, adjacent to the staff village.


Coetzer said there was a golf competition earlier on Wednesday and afterwards a group of people went drinking. He said Van der Sandt had a few drinks but there was no one who said he was completely intoxicated.

Golfer killed by crocodile in Kruger National Park

"We suspect drowning to be the cause of death but the autopsy will determine the actual cause of death," Coetzer said.

"These animals are not in good condition as they have just come out of hibernation," SA National Parks (SANparks) disease ecologist Dr Danny Govender said in a joint statement.

"The animal was doing what naturally comes to them; hunting for food and unfortunately a life was lost in the process."

Van der Sandt was the son of retired staff member Schalk and staff member Lorretha van der Sandt. The couple had been working in the park since 1992. Regional ranger Don English said he got a call around 10pm that someone had been taken by a crocodile at the Lake Panic Dam on the golf course.
"It is understood that a group of youngsters were hanging around after a game of golf when the incident happened," the KNP said in a statement.

"Apparently the crocodile surprised the group and snatched the victim, then disappeared under water."


The rangers were alerted and after searching the dam for over two hours, spotted and put down the animal.
"It is an unfortunate incident where a promising life was cut short; our condolences go out to the family and friends of the victim," KNP general manager of conservation management Dr Freek Venter said.


"Investigations are ongoing to establish the exact circumstances as it was an unnatural death."
Venter said the matter was handed to police and that SANParks would conduct an internal investigation.

The Lowvelder newspaper reported on its website on Thursday that Van der Sandt was attacked by a crocodile said to be 3.9m long and dragged underwater. The crocodile was apparently seen in the lake earlier in the day.
- SAPA

[barryels]

My condolences go out to the family and friends of the victim .

[hilda]

My sincere condolences to the parents, friends and family of the victim.

[Weltenman]

Condolences to the family. This is an unfortunate accident that hopefully will not be repeated in future.


I do have a question for SANParks. Why was the animal put down? Do crocodiles behave as lions once they have caught a human, do they become man-eaters as well?

[Bush Baptist]

It appears Weltie, that to retrieve the body, the croc had to be shot.

[Weltenman]

Thanks BB, I did read that as well just now.

[Stark]

How very sad for his family. My condolences.

[Elsa]

Please, remember we are dealing with a very sensitive matter and we do ask that posts remain so.
Thanks.

[Trrp-trrrrrrrr]

How tragic..very sad indeed !!
My sincere condolences to his parents, family and friends.

[Haupie]

RIP Jacques. Condolences to his family

He loved the bush.

Very sad

[woodsy]

I would like to thank all staff in the Kgalagadi for the wonderful improvement in the park since our last visit in 2013.The Ablutions have especially seen great improvement Thank You Thank you Thank you
Johan & Cheryl Woods

[Dabchick]

I just can't get past the part that the crocodile was shot just to retrieve the body. Seriously? Does an animal's life mean so little that even a dead person's body is worth more? Of course, if the man was still alive and a rescue attempt could be made, then there would be some justification for the killing of an innocent (yes innocent, because the croc only did what is in its nature to do) animal... What about sedating the croc, or chasing it away instead of just killing it like its life is worth nothing? Methinks there are too many trigger happy people in this world, and until animals' lives are valued just as much as those of humans, the unthinking slaughter will continue...

[stephan groen]

Hi dabchick. I have to disagree. If that was your child who died such a tragic death you would want his remains.

We all know he made a stupid error of judgment. He paid the ultimate price.

The fact is, while we all are animal lovers (thus our love for the park) a human life IS worth much more than that of an animal. There are many crocs in KNP and sad as it may be that this one had to be shot, I believe it was the right call.

The fact that a stupid decision caused his demise does not mean that his parents/family should not get the opportunity to salvage his remains.

A croc in the water cannot be tranquilized, it will drown. Trying to scare it off - a croc will fight a pack of lions for its prey, there was no chance that he would give up the body.

A hard call to shoot yes, but the right one made by a ranger with vast experience. To call him a trigger happy individual is not fair. We think we love animals/the bush? He made it his whole life to serve the KNP. I promise you he knows better than us what to do in a situation like this.

there was a terrible "discussion" on Sanparks FB page regarding this incident. I think we all can concur that a stupid eror was made. However it happened and it had to be dealt with.

If it was my child / family member I would have wanted his remains.

So bottom line, no one is condoning the deceased's behaviour. He made a terrible error in judgment (read stupid mistake). But to go as far as suggesting that the croc should have been left to eat his body is downright inhumane.

Thats my opinion.

[Elsa]

Please everyone!
What has happened has happened and we have appealed for sensitivity and any posts not complying with that request will be removed.