A giant crocodile named "Osama" ate and killed approximately 80 villagers in Uganda during its 14-year reign of terror, according to new media reports. Osama the crocodile reportedly went on a killing spree between 1991 and 2005 in Lake Victoria, Africa's largest lake.
The 16-foot massive reptile earned its fearsome reputation after multiple reports suggest that it wiped out a tenth of the population of the village of Lunganga in the East African country. Before being captured in 2005, Osama is reportedly known for waiting near the Lake Victoria's shores before snatching his victims through his jaws.
Its victims include children as young as 12 years old, who the crocodilian drags to the bottom of the lake where it consumes them. The reports say Lunganga locals believe the colossal crocodile was immortal due to its immense power.
During the said period, Osama had ventured in the village and also instilled fear in its surrounding areas. It has been reported that the public's perception toward the reptilian will lead to the tale of "Osama the Monster" crocodile.
Osama the Crocodile
Osama, who had a specific length of 16.4 feet, killed a total of 83 people living around Lake Victoria. The inland body of water was also reported to be the crocodile's habitat.
According to UK internet media company UNILAD, the wild animal was kept alive following its capture and became a part of a breeding program.
The Nile crocodile was captured in 2005 when local villagers and wildlife officials collaborated to lure Osama from depths of Lake Victoria by using cow lungs as bait.
The bait consisted of a copper snare that trapped the crocodile's teeth with it. It took 50 people, led by the Uganda Wildlife Authority, to successfully subdue the animal, according to The Science Times.
The 75-year-old crocodile was named after the infamous insurgent leader Osama bin Laden, who was killed during a US special military operation in Pakistan back in 2011.
Also Read: 18-Year-Old British Student Attacked by 10-Foot Crocodile During a Rafting Trip
What is a Nile Crocodile?
The Nile Crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus) is Africa's largest crocodilian that can reach a maximum size of 20 feet and can weigh up to 1,650 pounds. Yet, the average size of the man-eating crocodiles range around 16 feet and 500 pounds, according to National Geographic.
They live across the Nile Basin, sub-Saharan Africa, and Madagascar. In particular, their natural habitats can be found in lakes, freshwater marshes, mangrove swamps, and rivers.
With fish being its main diet, Nile crocodiles also include some of the following in their menu such as: small hippos, zebras, birds, porcupines, carrion, and other crocodiles as well.
Human Crocodile Attacks
The borderline between a crocodile attack on a human lies in the circumstances that could trigger an unprovoked attack.
For instance, the case of Osama the crocodile and its human victims are an example of human-wildlife conflict, which is triggered by the close proximity of habitats between the two species.
In other cases, villagers washing their clothes along a riverbank are also at risk of becoming the animal's prey.
National Geographic estimates that up to 200 people could die each year from a Nile crocodile attack.
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