Windhoek, Namibia
Posted by: Ewan McGregor | Date posted: 30/07/2007
Pictures
David and Russ are being brave ©
The team made some new friends at a crocodile farm in Zambia - but didn't get too close, as you'll see from the clip!
Ewan, Charley and Eve stand way back as their guide, Joe, pokes one of the crocodiles with a long metal rod.
'This is a crocodile farm,' he explains. 'It's filled with problem crocodiles. When they have a problem with a crocodile eating people, they call me, and I go and try and catch it. We don't kill them, we catch them, and there's a lot of funny things that happen.
'Sometimes you fall in the water with them and hope that they don't eat you,' he continues. 'My boat turned over one time. There were five of us in the river, and it was April the first, can you imagine?'
As he drags another crocodile by the tail so they can see it, Ewan is concerned.
'But if they can move very quickly, is it wise to be doing what you're doing?' he asks.
'I'm watching him,' Joe reassures them.
Ewan spots the crocodile has an injured leg.
'Oh yeah, look, he's got a wee stump. Poor peg-leg!'
'You see that? That leg was bitten off,' Joe explains, 'and it heals over in filthy water. So they don't go septic. You never see puss on a crocodile. They took blood from a crocodile and every bacteria they put in the blood died. He's very good-natured, he's actually a very good crocodile.'
Moving on, Joe introduces them to Muramba, who looks a lot less friendly.
'My, he's big one isn't he?' says a worried Ewan.
'He is quite big. He was eating people in the Muramba river.' Joe explains. 'He's a nasty croc, he doesn't like people.'
'Argh!' cries Ewan. 'He's moving his head... he's moving his head!'
Finally, Joe demonstrates to Ewan how he uses a harpoon to catch the crocs.
We asked if you'd had any close encounters with creatures of the not-so-furry kind - see your comments below.
Comments
Comments 1 - 10 of 26
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At 06:54:52 PM on 30/07/2007, Leslie (Citrus Heights California) wrote:
Colin McGregor
I have a pet California Kingsnake. His name is Colin after Ewan's brother. His full name is Colin Snakie McGregor. Colin is a very docile snake and is great around kids. I also go out camping to go and see how many snakes and lizards i can find in one area. I am a Junior Herpitologist.
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At 06:51:53 PM on 30/07/2007, Shellie (Loughborough) wrote:
Crocodile blood?
Crocodile blood can kill all known bacteria? Maybe we should be sticking that down our toilets instead of Domestos, a lot more environmentally friendly! Joke of course, I wouldn't suggest killing these amazing creatures. That man is a lot braver than me, there's no way I'd be poking and dragging a crocodile about!
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At 07:11:19 PM on 30/07/2007, Kristen Olsen (Vancouver, BC) wrote:
a die hard fan
I'm so sad your trip is almost over and I can't tell you how much I've enjoyed and appreciated your posts and videos. You and your team really went above and beyond in the way you interacted with locals along your route and with your fans on the BBC site. I can't wait for the book and DVD to come out (a friend of mine will be in the UK in September so we have our fingers crossed). I've also chosen LWR as my book club selection for September. PLease take care and enjoy these last few miles. Boo hoo! I'm a die hard fan.
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At 07:10:48 PM on 30/07/2007, Sunrider (Copenhagen) wrote:
No crocs either
I've heard about the crocodiles in Zambia before - they sound rather scary. The most unpleasant experience I've had with an aninamail was with a spider that I got in my mouth. I'm still scared of spiders after that..
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At 07:25:52 PM on 30/07/2007, Ute (Stuttgart, Germany) wrote:
Scary animals
When I was visiting a snake farm in Vietnam, the guide tried to put a rather big one around my neck. This was more than 15 yrs. ago, but I believe I'm still holding the world record in jumping backwards.
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At 08:04:57 PM on 30/07/2007, Alex Hart (Portland, OR) wrote:
Close Encounter of the Not So Furry Kind
This was a really good clip! Especially Joe, the Croc caretaker, what a character!
My Not So Furry Encounter
On the Big Island of Hawaii, my wife and I hiked to a secluded beach/cove. I spotted a large Sea Turtle on a rock. I approached it, noticing non movement. When I reached the Turtle I noticed around its neck was a thick rope, so tight it was partially embedded.
I contacted the rangers in which they were to come and rescue it. In the meantime, I was told to stay with it and subdue it if it tried to swim off.
The Turtle did try and swim off due to the tide rising. Since given permission(In Hawaii its illegal to touch/handle Turtles with a min $500 fine), I tried to restrain it, however this 3ft Turtle was very powerful once it got in the water. Eventually it was rescued! Beautiful Sea Creature!
Cheers to ALL!--Alex Hart -
At 08:50:22 PM on 30/07/2007, Roy Allen (Toronto) wrote:
Wow
Howdy guys, and lady McGregor. That Crocodile farm was freaky, hope your series has more episodes in it that the Long Way Round, Loved it, but we need MORE, lots MORE, keep it coming guys. Were really hoping you guys will do more of these adventures in the future. One posting I saw had a good idea, go from Alaska to the tip of South America; we'd love to follow you through Brazil and that. Carry on, stay safe, and thanks for the daily epic's, I don't know what I'm going to do when its over, I'm hooked.
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At 08:56:30 PM on 30/07/2007, Andyman (Gordons Bay) wrote:
Crocodiles - croc oils
For centuries crocodile oils have been used to treat open wound injuries- most travellors into Africa treat Mr croc with the respect he deserves and do not harm a croc- they also carry a croc oil compound- Repcillin is the most common used. As Ewen heard this balm is anti inflamatory and anit bacterial and is magic stuff for any open sore.
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At 08:59:31 PM on 30/07/2007, Andyman (Gordons Bay) wrote:
Geocache sites
Boys & Eve, did you place any geocaches along the way? I'm away up Africa shortly and would love to know what cahce name you use. did you find any geocache sites on the LongWAyDown? If so let us know about them Cheers Andyman
At 05:23:20 PM on 30/07/2007, Richard AW Tortorella (Langley, BC, Canada) wrote:
Bears ... not crocs
Well furry yes, not-so-furry? No – not up here in Canada – fun? Certainly! Grizzlies are lovely creatures, but meeting a full sized grizzly on the road can be a daunting challenge, or just a scenic encounter: depends on the mood of the grizzly! I have been lucky and have never had a bad bear encounter; others have not been as fortunate. Gentlemen (and lady McGregor) you are almost done … just a few miles left and another fantastic adventure will come to a close. To quote Ewan: “BooHoo!!” Cheers Richard T
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