In an incident that garnered attention, a large Nile crocodile estimated to be approximately 12 feet (3.54 metres) long was caught on camera entering a hotel kitchen in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe.
The animal was located during the early hours at A' Zambezi River Lodge which is a property situated along the river Zambezi which is one of the largest crocodile habitats in Africa.
Animal moved through multiple areas before reaching kitchen
The hotel and eyewitnesses claim that the crocodile did not go directly to the kitchen.
It initially passed through the reception and lounge, once trying to jump over the front desk and heading to the kitchen counter. The video captures the reptile propelling itself using its forelimbs and thrusting itself upwards in a bid to reach the service area.
One of the visitors at the lodge stated that the animal was moving in a very "calmly" manner even stopping a moment on furniture before returning to the outdoors.
Why the crocodile got into the hotel?
Wildlife authorities reported that the crocodile was probably an escape of the adjacent river, Zambezi, which flows parallel to the estate.
The Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife authorities claim that such movement is a natural behaviour of the species. Nile crocodiles have been known to move over short distances on land, especially at night either when they seek food or when they are marking their territory.
The event took place in early mornings when crocodiles are generally active and there is minimum human activity.
There were no injuries reported, staff ensured safety.
The personnel of the hotel hurriedly closed the premises and isolated the guests and was watching over the animal.
No injuries or damage was reported in the incident.
Crocodile harmlessly captured and kept
The removal was handled by the arrival of officials of the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority who were called to the scene.
The animal was captured with the usual wildlife control techniques and released back into the Zambezi River.
Area with a high degree of wildlife proximity.
The lodge is also located in a wildlife area where the wildlife often shifts between the banks of the river and the adjacent land.
According to local authorities, these types of encounters are rare, but not uncommon in places where tourism infrastructure is provided in natural habitats and not independent of it.
The video has attracted not only the attention to the incident per se, but also to what it says about human-wildlife convergence in places such as Victoria Falls where closeness to nature is still a daily routine.
