An enormous crocodile crawled into a luxury hotel near Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe and hurled itself over its kitchen counter. Footage filmed by a courageous employee reveals the 12-foot beast pulling itself up, tail wagging, onto the surface in A'Zambezi River Lodge. The croc's legs move in attempts to find grip while it balances its body. Proving successful, it stays disturbingly still on the counter.
The animal is believed to have crept in last week from the banks of the Zambezi River, which is mere metres away from the four-star hotel. The hotel's staff alerted the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks), and the Nile crocodile was captured and taken away without causing any harm.
Hotel Response and Safety Measures
In a social media post, A’Zambezi River Lodge described 'living on the Zambezi' as a 'privilege [they] don't take lightly'. It continued: 'After last Friday's very early morning croc visit, we want to assure you he was safely returned to the river the same day, thanks to our fantastic team and National Parks & Wildlife. Your peace of mind is our privilege: prominent safety signage, daily perimeter checks, emergency drills and 24/7 security. The wild stays wild. Your stay stays safe.'
Wildlife Authority Statement
Lackmore Safuli, a spokesman for ZimParks, said the crocodile was 'safely immobilised' and 'released back into the Zambezi'. He added: 'There were no human injuries or damage to the property.'
Nile Crocodile Dangers
Nile crocodiles are carnivorous reptiles, deemed one of the most dangerous species of crocodile. The animals are known to attack humans when hungry or when jumping at an opportunity, although people are not their primary source of food. With the use of their size, Nile crocodiles are able to triumph over a human's strength. They can do so with the use of a 'death roll', a move designed to incapacitate and disorientate their prey while they are immobilised in the animal's jaws. The animal bites down on its victim and spins its body rapidly underwater, while also drowning its target.
Increasing Crocodile Attacks
Last year, ZimParks raised concerns over an increasing number of deaths by crocodiles. In a statement, the authority said: 'ZimParks has noted with concern the rising number of fatalities from crocodile attacks, which have resulted in nine deaths and 11 injuries in the last two months. At least 44 cattle and 60 goats were also killed during the same period in 49 reported cases of human-crocodile conflict.' It encouraged people to remain vigilant, especially during the rainy season of December to March. It said: 'We urge communities to be especially cautious around water bodies during this rainy season. Livestock and children must not be left unattended near rivers or lakes to prevent them from becoming easy targets. Additionally, when engaging in water activities such as fishing, swimming or domestic chores, it is essential to set up barriers around these areas to enhance safety.'
