Kayakers watch as croc snatches guide

[KevinP73]

JOHANNESBURG – A pair of Northwest kayakers watched in horror as a crocodile snatched their guide from his kayak while he led an expedition from the source of the White Nile into the heart of Congo. South African Hendrik Coetzee, 35, an acclaimed outdoorsman who wrote movingly about testing himself against nature, is presumed dead after the attack. His body has not been recovered. The two Americans — Ben Stookesberry and Chris Korbulic — paddled unharmed to safety after the Tuesday morning attack on the Lukuga River in Congo. They expect to return home to the U.S. shortly. Korbulic is from Rogue River, Ore., and Stookesberry is from Mount Shasta, Calif. The stretch of river where the trio was traveling is notoriously dangerous because of its whitewater, and the high density of crocodiles and hippos.

[pwd72s]

Primal fear...that of being eaten. It's scary knowing man isn't really at the top of the food chain...

[Buckterrier]

Not so great story Kevin, but thanks for sharing!!

[gtc]

That happened to a friend of a friend of mine...
http://www.seattlepi.com/local/263742_drroot21.html

What a crappy way to go.

[masraum]

That's a vaca they'll never forget but probably wish they could.

[island911]

Years ago, someone posted here, something to the effect of "Life is a balance between risk and boredom." --seems appropriate here.

[johnco]

someone sent me this picture of a large croc in the bayou behind their house. there were two of them but one hasn't been seen in a while. it's looks kinda old and beat it up but I still wouldn't put my feet too close.

[Racerbvd]

[Jeff Higgins]

I'm not sure there is anywhere that keeps accurate records of crocodile attacks on humans. The obstacles to doing so are just too great, with most areas they inhabit being fairly remote and / or impoverished. The natives don't often report such matters to the authorities. It is, however, presumed that in areas in which they can be found, crocs are the number one killer of humans, at least as far as larger wildlife goes. Insects still beat everything else hands down, or more accurately, the diseases transmitted by insects.

Peter Capstick had some interesting advice for anyone who may be unfortunate enough to witness a croc snatch a colleague. Just finish your cigarette, or cup of coffee, or whatever - there isn't a damn thing you can do for him. This from a guy who made his living for decades as a profesional hunter on two different - and croc infested - continents.

[GH85Carrera]

Originally Posted by pwd72s

Primal fear...that of being eaten. It's scary knowing man isn't really at the top of the food chain...

That is one reason I like living where I do. I prefer to be at the top of the food chain.

[Rikao4]

[Rick Lee]

I have no desire to be in the same body of water with crocs around. That is their domain, not ours.

[Buckterrier]

Originally Posted by Rick Lee

I have no desire to be in the same body of water with crocs around. That is their domain, not ours.

+1 The same with grizzles etc. We as a species are so friggin' arrogant it's pathetic. One of us, (out of what, 900 billion), get's mauled or killed by a carnivore and we go out and kill 10 or 20 of them until we think we have got the right one. Then the same folks piss & moan that there are too many deer, rabbit, (name the prey). So we 'harvest' the prey. Oh wait, we 'harvest' for the meat, yeah ok right. Ops I've taken way too many steps onto my soapbox, later!!

[rattlsnak]

well, they supposedly cant bite you under water, so if you find yourself swimming with crocs, DIVE!!

[RoninLB]

i did 10 dives with gators in the Cooper R inside Charleston SC

murky waters that turn black below 10' and high currents keep you occupied at the bottom while searching for fossils with a light and you don't know if that thing bumping you is a catfish or a gator

i wound up with friends where one was a "he man" homicide cop. He never left the anchor line on the bottom, not that it mattered but he thought it did

the dumbest thing i see is amateurs playing with wildlife, either above or below, with a guide although after seeing a hyena on a leash in Kenya i wanted one