Original Article: https://blog.theanimalrescuesite.greatergood.com/crocodile-attacks-drone/
Crocodiles are not an animal to be messed with, even from behind the safety of a drone as one man found out. Johani Mamid is a crocodile feeder, but he also frequently films the majestic predators at the Crocodile Park in Broome, Western Australia. He uses a drone since it’s a pretty safe way of getting close to the crocs without much risk. At least, that’s what he initially thought.
However, he was in for quite the shock when one of the crocodiles he was filming tried to attack his drone. As shocking a moment as it was when the croc leaped out of the water and went for his flying device, he did use the scary opportunity to capture some incredible footage of a crocodile breaching the surface.
Mamid explained to Daily Mail Australia that working with crocodiles is dangerous work, which is why he uses his drone to capture footage that he can then use to educate the public about these animals and their behavior.
He stated, “We definitely do fear them because of the level of respect we have for them. They have the strongest bite force out of any animal in the world. Their teeth are designed to hold on and never let go.”
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Mamid shared that perhaps the most dangerous part of the job is checking the fencing along the animal’s refuge. For this, the workers will often work in pairs and they will carry long bamboo sticks with them which measure about two meters. But Mamid admitted that the sticks don’t always deter them, as sometimes the crocodiles will manage to get the bamboo stick. That is why he emphasized the importance of working with another partner.
So far, Mamid has been lucky not to receive any major injuries from a crocodile. But he has been nipped by baby crocodiles. Although they’re tiny, their bites can still hurt.
Given the dangers of being too close to crocodiles, using drones to check the fence perimeters could be one way of sparing workers a potentially hazardous encounter with a croc.
However, given the video footage captured by Mamid, expensive equipment like drones might be the crocs’ next victims.
Watch the incredible footage below:
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Source: The Animal Rescue Site Blog
