The Mystery of Dying Crocodiles in Kruger Park

This past year significant numbers of crocodiles have been found dead in the rivers that run in and around Kruger National Park in South Africa. In August (2008) Kruger scientists were shocked into action after the bodies of around 130 crocodiles were discovered in various states of decomposition. The crocodiles appeared to have died from a disease called Pansteatitis which is an inflammation of fatty tissue. Pansteatitis is usually associated with the consumption of rotten or rancid fish. The rivers the crocodiles live in also happen to be quite polluted as a result of nearby mines as well as pesticide run off from farms in the area. This, coupled with global warming, has increased the levels of cyanobacteria which is what infects the fish.

It's politically tricky to admit the level of pollution in this area is so great as to kill off healthy crocodiles, because imagine what it could be doing to the people who live on its banks, drink its waters and wash their clothes in it. Thus far, Kruger's own scientists believe that the sheer number of crocodiles dying are due in large part because healthy crocodiles are eating their sick cousins and getting infected that way. Research continues...

Crocodiles are unfortunately not the only wildlife threatened by disease in Kruger. The rate of Tubercolosis (TB) infected buffalo has long been recognized as a serious problem. The diseased buffalo are eaten by predators who in turn become infected. Particular concern about the lion populations in Kruger have been heightened in the past decade, with the Africa Wildlife Foundation reporting on this issue back in April 1999. National Geographic did a story on it in 2005. Lions dying of TB are still found with some regularity in Kruger today.

For a great illustration of how all these animals are connected with one another check out this incredible footage captured in Kruger in 2007 -- Battle at Kruger.

Sources For Kruger's Dying Crocodiles:

• Life and Death for Holy S. African Crocs - BBC
  
• Why are Kruger Crocs Dying? - Sunday Independent
  
• Images of Dying Crocs - Treknature.com
  

_{Image of a crocodile, Kruger National Park -- © South Africa Tourism}