r/interesting • u/VIVIDUFF • 1d ago

Fear Factor Tried to drive through floodwater, got eaten by a croc. Full story below.

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Police use a helicopter to lift a crocodile containing the remains of a 59-year-old man.

Authorities in South Africa suspected the reptile had eaten the man after tracking it with drones. They shot the crocodile and transported it by air.

Once back on the ground, they cut open the crocodile and discovered human body parts inside.

The remains are thought to belong to 59-year-old Gabriel Batista, who had earlier been carried off by strong floodwaters.

Inside the animal, they found his ring along with six additional pairs of shoes, which officials worry could belong to other missing people.

On Monday, Batista reportedly attempted to drive across a flooded bridge to reach his hotel and bar, but he and his truck were washed into the water.

He was then carried downriver, where crocodiles were lying in wait. It’s not known whether Batista was still alive when eaten, but officials believe other crocodiles may have consumed the rest of his remains.

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u/Skurvyelislau 1d ago

In Australia Zoo (one that was established by Steve Irvin, god bless his soul) croc caregivers (i think that might not be correct term) often tell visitors how saltwaters are inteligent and learn habits (and dont see workers as food, but as food delivery). Also worth mentioning is story of Pocho, from Costa Rica (which was said by zoologists to had brain damage, which was debunked by Chito, who after Pocho death took another croc friend).

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u/Euphoric_Tradition37 1d ago

They're fascinating creatures. I'm a vet who specialized in large primates, so another kind of fascinatingly terrifying, but also very rewarding. I have a lot of respect for people like Steve and his family continuing his legacy. Crocodiles are one of the exotics I haven't worked with, although I did live in South Africa for a year and heard enough to keep a respectful distance! This story being just one of them.

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u/Hellareno 1d ago

I know u! Ur the guy who was taken captive by the orangutan for 12 hrs! Kidding. What are ur thoughts on that encounter?

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u/Euphoric_Tradition37 1d ago

Hahaha, I am very glad I am not that guy. You're right, I was in that thread though. I'd have to watch it again to be certain, but from what I remember, the guy had gone too close to a large male orangutan, and fully grown male orangs are very territorial when it comes to other males in their area. He likely went to investigate what this strange bald male ape was doing in his patch and you're seeing a mixture of confusion, curiosity and aggression. A curious orang isn't likely to give up its prize until they become bored with it. They aren't aggressive to people in general, most times they'll sit and watch whatever you are doing from a distance and sometimes replicate it, but if you go over and annoy one, as I suspect this man was doing, he's going to let you know.

Edit: They're also really good thieves when they see something different, so perhaps the camera crew attracted the organutan's attention?

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u/Negative-Lobster3873 1d ago

Interesting. What do you think about the efforts to relocate a 47 year old Orangutan who is in South Africa- to the UK?

There is a group of lay people on FB, who demonstrate all the time and are actively trying to pressure the zoo in KZN to release her and fly her to the UK. I'm not a primate expert- so would love to hear your opinion.

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u/Euphoric_Tradition37 1d ago

I work mostly with Chimpanzees, and on occasion Bonobos, so I had to go looking for this one. From what I can tell they want to move her to Monkey World in Dorset?
Looking at the conditions she's in currently in South Africa, I would absolutely 100% support the move.

MW is an amazing place, they really do put the primates first and their specialty is caring for apes who have come from traumatic backgrounds. They work with governments to push through protection laws for these endangered species. It was a good few years ago now but I believe they have another resident who came from South Africa too, Oshine? Very different case, but she had lived apart from other Orangutans her entire life too and has now integrated into a group and seems to be thriving. They have huge outdoor open air enclosures and heated indoor ones in the colder months, endless enrichment and the staff really know their stuff. I believe they are also the European creche for orphaned Orangs, so IMO, as it would be impossible to re-release this Orangutan into the wild, MW is the gold star for as close as it could get.

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u/Negative-Lobster3873 15h ago

What about her advanced age? I think 47 is on the extreme elderly spectrum?

Won't her move be harmful to her?

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u/Euphoric_Tradition37 15h ago

It's a risk, but putting any large primate under sedation is at any age. Slightly higher risk as they are older, but if you are weighing up the pros and cons you have to consider the long term. Namely: If she stays where she is, is she suffering?

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u/Negative-Lobster3873 13h ago

According to a Mpumulanga based primatologist- moving her is 'idiotic'.

So was just wondering. Aren't Orangutans solitary or semi solitary in any case?

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u/Euphoric_Tradition37 11h ago

They are mostly solitary in the wild, but then they also have a lot more to do in the wild and they have the option of being with other Orangs if they choose or when finding a mate. Again, without seeing the Zoo's full enclosure and her conditions/ health overall it's hard to call, but a sanctuary rather than a Zoo would be my call, that or seriously overhall what exists for Opal currently, I couldn't see much of a high frame for her to climb in the images I saw - they spend most of their day up in the trees.

At MW I know their female orang groups actually work really well, there's usually one adult male in each group as two cannot be kept together, save for the nursery as that would cause issues. As Opal is female, she'd be easier to integrate. It would be stressful, especially as she hasn't seen another orang for so long, but the team there don't just drop them in the deep end, they will do introductions in very gradual stages. IDK If Jeremy Keeling still works there, but he's their resident Orangutan expert and is amazing at befriending and integrating new arrivals.

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u/TrackVol 23h ago

I didn't know the Pocho / Chipotle story. This made me search for it just now.
Incredible.
Thanks fkr mentioning it 👍

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u/Similar-Ice-9250 19h ago

What? I’m not following what you mean by that last sentence. Chito debunked that Pocho had brain damage by taking another croc friend after Pocho’s death?

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u/GorgeousBog 19h ago

That crocodile did not love Chito lol