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09 September 2003

Media Release: Crocodile kills boy

Together with at least five other men, the teenager was using nets to catch fish in the river, which is one of the major rives that flows through the KNP when the crocodile attacked and killed him.

KNP rangers, together with members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) reacted to the call when the incident was reported and were on the scene of the incident shortly afterwards. They searched well into the night in an attempt to recover the teenager”s body.

The actual crocodile was eventually sighted at about 19:30 with the teenager”s body still clutched between its jaws. Rangers fired several shots at the reptile, and the teenager”s body was released and recovered. The name of the boy will be withheld until such time that his next-of-kin have been informed.

Skukuza SAPS is investigating the incident.

KNP management regrets the incident and would like to express condolences to the family. KNP management would also like to warn members of the communities living adjacent to the park and, the public at large, that it is an offence to fish in any river in a national park and, if caught, they can be arrested and charged with contravening the National Parks Act.

Issued by:
Raymond Travers
Media Relations
Kruger National Park
Tel: 013 735 4116; Cell: 082 908 2677
Email: [email protected]

Enquiries:
William Mabasa
Public Relations and Communications Manager
Kruger National Park
Tel: 013 735 4363; Cell: 082 807 3919
Email: [email protected]