GABORONE, Jan. 17 (Xinua) -- Security agents in Kasane, Botswana's most popular tourist destination, are frantically searching for a seven-year-old boy who was snatched by a crocodile at Chobe River near Impalila island, northern Botswana on Thursday.
The boy, together with two other boys, aged nine and 10, were sent on an errand to deliver some mail at Mowana Lodge in Kasane on Thursday, after which they stole away to go for a swim at the river.
James Kabangu, a local police officer, said they received a report Thursday around 5 p.m. and together with the Botswana Defense Force members and the Namibian police rushed to search for the boy, but could not find him. The spot where the boy was snatched by a crocodile is along the border with Namibia.
Kabangu said the other boys reported that the crocodile snatched and dashed into the water with the boy and never reappeared and the police launched a search party, which went on until dusk.
The search is still ongoing.
In Botswana, the species, Nile crocodile, is most commonly found in and around Chobe River and the Okavango Delta. They reside in lakes, rivers and swamps and can be spotted in estuaries and mangrove swamps. While they mostly feed on fish, they also prey on game and can be a danger to humans as they often devour them if they come too close.
