Around 15,000 crocodiles escaped from a farm in South Africa according to a report by NPR. The escape is being blamed on massive flood waters which forced the Rakwena farm owner to open his gates to prevent a storm surge from "destroying the property."
The crocodiles reportedly escaped from the farm and into the Limpopo River and have been spotted several times swimming downstream according to Beeld, a local newspaper. Although "a few thousand" have since been recaptured, over half of the reptiles still remain on the loose.
"We will catch them as the farmers call us and say there are crocodiles. In Weipe there are many and I heard there were crocodiles in Musina on the school's football field," said Zane Langman, the son of Johan Boshoff, who owns the farm according to UPI.com.
Crocodiles found in the River are known to be the biggest in Africa and the second largest in the world. Male crocs can grow to around 16 feet, and reach speeds of 8 mph when running, and 22 mph while swimming according to Mirror Online.
One family had to be rescued from their flooded home as crocodiles reportedly swam around their house according to a report by the BBC.
Crocodiles are known to attack or eat humans, domestic animals like chicken, goats, sheep and wild animals like warthogs and antelope according to Examiner.com.
Click here to see a few photos posted on the farm's website which shows some are bigger than your average crocodile.
"Nile Crocodiles are meat eating and can grow to up to five meters long," according to the report published in the Beeld. "They can run at up to eight miles an hour and swim at up to 22 mph. They are extremely dangerous to humans. Their preferred method of killing is to grab an animal in their enormous jaws then drag it, alive, underwater to drown it."
Animal safety experts have warned the public to remain indoors and away from the crocodiles, which vary in size and shape. Most of the crocodiles are being collected and recaptured at night because they're reportedly easier to see due to their eyes "which shine red" according to Beeld.
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