Crocs gone wild: multiple crocodiles escape breeding facility

Johannesburg, South Africa - News that a batch of young crocodiles had escaped and was roaming free alarmed the authorities and residents in South Africa's Western Cape Province.

Numerous crocodiles have escaped in a breeding center in South Africa and only 27 have been recaptured so far (stock image).
Numerous crocodiles have escaped in a breeding center in South Africa and only 27 have been recaptured so far (stock image).  © 123RF/Preecha Siriburanakit

Petro van Rhyn, the spokesperson for the animal protection authority Cape Nature, told the DPA that an unknown number of the young reptiles had escaped from a breeding facility on Thursday.

The reptiles that escaped through a mesh fence in the town of Bonnivale can can grow up to five feet long.

Rhyn urged residents to stay away from the nearby Bree River for now.

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Cats Cat shows off litter of kittens to dog best friend in adorable viral clip!

He stressed the gravity of the situation: "They are obviously very, very dangerous – they are wild animals, even if they have been raised in captivity."

Authorities, along with local residents and law enforcement officers, have launched a large-scale search for the young crocodiles, and so far 27 crocodiles have been captured.

Every once in a while, South Africans are startled by the appearance of stray monkeys, leopards, or hippos, but escaped crocodiles are something of a rarity.

Cover photo: 123RF/Preecha Siriburanakit

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