Swimming with Crocodiles

If you're in the UK, tune in to BBC2 this Sunday 19 February at 9pm (after Top Gear) for Swimming with Crocodiles. Yes, that title is accurate. I travel to Botswana with UK adventurer Ben Fogle and we end up diving with some very large, wild Nile crocodiles in the Okavango. The first one I encounter ends up giving all of us quite a scare, because it comes to investigate us rather than the other way around. But the purpose behind doing this is not only to investigate the diving technique pioneered by Brad Bestelink and Andy Crawford, but also to learn a lot more about the behaviour and sensory abilities of crocodiles underwater. There's no better way of appreciating that than by entering their realm. It's one of the most remarkable projects I've ever been involved in.

For the second episode, which airs on 26 February, we investigate whether the same can be done with saltwater crocodiles here in Australia.

CrocLog Podcast - Episode 9

Episode 9 of the CrocLog Podcast is here. Brandon was having some quality issues with his mic but I managed to make it sound almost normal. That should be fixed for next time.


Brandon revisits Cherie and Vince Rose of ACES (American Crocodile Education Sanctuary) to get an update on their uphill battle working on American crocodiles in Belize, we discuss the latest news stories including another potential new species, one of the oldest “modern croc” fossils ever found, finding crocodiles where you don’t expect to find them, the recent spate of crocodile attacks, and a discussion of a TV show where they try and noose a large Nile crocodile underwater.


Below you'll find links to the podcast and the main stories.

Touch of the Blue Crocodile

There's a new feature-length crocodile documentary on its way called "Touch of the Blue Crocodile". I've seen the trailer, which you can view after the break below, and it looks excellent. The film-makers play on the traditional fear that many people feel about crocodiles, and then they turn it completely on its head. It encapsulates the issues surrounding wild crocodiles living increasingly close to people, and confronts you with two very different sides to the argument. I particularly like the way it gets back to the notion of the crocodile as a mythical creature, with all the benefits and drawbacks that entails.

After the jump, the trailer and more about the documentary.