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Death Roll

© Jacqueline Dell

Thinking about swimming across a river in outback Australia that is inhabited by saltwater crocodiles? Not a smart idea! Swimming in crocodile infested waters is not a wise thing to do. It is beyond me why people actually take this risk with their lives. In Africa people are killed on a frequent basis because they enter crocodile territory.

Maybe not quite as dangerous as a saltwater crocodile, but nonetheless a real physical risk is the alligator, and Florida seems to be the place that alligators like to call home. Although most alligators will retreat at the approach of humans, there is a certain percentage that have lost their fear of people and these are the gators to look out for. People have been bitten, dogs snatched and children attacked by these foreboding creatures. Florida has recorded 248 alligator attacks against humans from 1948 to 1999, and no doubt there have been many more since. Half of these attacks have involved children and nine cases were fatal. The message here is if you live in the southeastern parts of the United States watch out for your children and animals in gator season, and do not approach these animals if you come across one in your area, they can be deadly.

The people living in the northern regions of Australia are faced with a similar problem, however the severity of an attack by a saltwater crocodile is likely to be much worse. There has been a 40-year ban against hunting crocs in Australia as they are a protected and endangered species. This has led to a steep increase in crocodile numbers. This means that crocs are now appearing in heavily populated areas where they are definitely not welcome. Fishing ramps, golf courses, and the main shopping streets in town have all witnessed sightings of these amazing creatures, well and truly out of their preferred habitat. Even a popular Cairns tourist beach has been closed on three occasions after crocodiles swam ashore and became a threat to beachgoers.

If attacked by a saltwater crocodile you have very little chance of survival. The crocs only place of vulnerability is its eyes, which you may be able to gouge, the rest of its body is covered in armour like skin and is near impossible to injure by hand. Most people are taken by crocodiles whilst at the waters edge. Drinking, bathing or simply entering the shallows is the worst thing that you could possibly do. By remaining on dry ground you have the best chance of survival.