“He is three times as big as the other crocodiles in Burundi.” - Patrice Faye
A few months ago, I wrote a column on the Ramree Island Massacre and how it became synonymous with WW2 as it was, and still is, the largest number of human deaths recorded in history by crocodile. 1,000 men were eaten alive in less than 24hrs as they fled aerial and land bombardment by the United States Army on the 14th of January 1945. Ramree Island was part of Burma, which is now known as Myanmar and was a brilliant strategic area, the US Army wanted it and decided to take it by force. They isolated the Burmese soldiers and concentrated them into small pockets, they backed them into a corner, ultimately, leaving them no way out except by entering the water to escape. Where, the crocodiles that had been starved due to the war, lay in wait. Saltwater crocodiles are the largest reptiles on the planet, grow to 8 metres in length and weigh well over 1,000kg. They are perfectly adapted to their environment, and have evolved into the perfect killing machine, unchanged in 150 million years of evolution. A living dinosaur. Since this event in 1945, only one crocodile story has come close to garnering the same attention and notoriety. The story of Gustave. Gustave lives deep in the waters of Burundi, Africa. Lake Tanganyika to be exact, He is 6 metres long and weighs over 1000kg, he is extremely elusive and so far impossible to catch. He has however, been caught on camera. Burundi, is haunted by him and dark stories of his past endeavours. He is the only known crocodile in existence, to actively hunt humans, so far inhabitants of Burundi, estimate that he has killed at least 300 of their friends, family and neighbours. Gustave has taken on an almost mythical persona in Burundi and has become a fascination of biologists and researchers. None more so than, Patrice Faye.
Gustave first came to global attention in the late 1990s, thanks to Faye, a French herpetologist and naturalist. Faye, who had been studying reptiles in Burundi, was intrigued by local reports of a giant crocodile terrorising the shores of Lake Tanganyika and the Rusizi River. According to these accounts, this crocodile was unlike any other in the region, both in size and behaviour. The locals named him Gustave, claiming he had been active for decades, with locals estimating that he is roughly 60 years old. While it’s hard to accurately estimate the age of a crocodile, it’s believed Gustave was born in the 1950s or 1960s. His size and the wear on his teeth suggest a long, harsh life in the wild, making him a master of survival. Gustave's notoriety stems from the staggering number of human fatalities attributed to him. It's estimated that he has killed over 300 people, a number that has instilled fear in the local population. Unlike typical crocodiles, which usually hunt smaller prey, Gustave's immense size allows him to take down much larger animals, including humans because he is closing in on 7 metres in length and weighs more than a tonne, he dwarfs the average Nile crocodile.
Gustave’s hunting method is also unique. He is known for his ambush tactics, he lies invisible underwater, right at the bank where locals walk down to collect water or wash clothes. He can watch them and their patterns for days or weeks before making the decision to strike. When, he chooses to strike, he does so with enormous speed, then uses his massive bulk and strength to drag victims into the water to drown them. However, he hasn’t been 100% successful each time he has attacked. He has left some survivors. They managed escape and lived to tell the villagers and media about their experience. Albeit, having lost a limb or limbs. Sightings of Gustave have been numerous, yet capturing him on film has proven to be an extraordinary challenge. One of the most compelling pieces of evidence came from a documentary titled ‘Capturing the Killer Croc’, which aired in 2004 on PBS. This documentary, led by Patrice Faye and a team of experts, aimed to understand and perhaps capture Gustave. During the filming, the team managed to catch glimpses of Gustave, and their footage confirmed his massive size. However, the crocodile remained elusive, evading all attempts at capture. Despite setting numerous traps and employing various techniques, Gustave's survival instincts kept him free. Photographs of Gustave also contribute to his legendary status. One of the most notable images shows him with numerous scars, likely from battles with other crocodiles and possibly from encounters with humans. These scars, including a prominent wound on his right shoulder, make him easily identifiable and add to his legendary reputation.
Gustave's story continues to fascinate and terrify. His ability to evade capture and his predatory success have elevated him to a near-mythical status. Efforts to capture or kill Gustave have largely been unsuccessful, and he remains at large. For the local communities, this means living with the constant threat of encountering one of the most dangerous animals on the planet. For researchers and wildlife enthusiasts, Gustave represents an enigmatic challenge, a living relic of the primeval past. Gustave’s story is a testament to the extraordinary lengths to which nature can push its creatures. His sheer size, cunning, and the fear he instils make him a figure of both awe and dread. While the exact number of his victims may never be known, and his whereabouts remain uncertain, Gustave's impact on the community is undeniable. As long as the waters of Lake Tanganyika remain, so too will the legend of Gustave. His tale serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between human encroachment and wildlife, and the sometimes deadly consequences when that balance is disrupted. Gustave, the giant crocodile of Burundi, continues to swim through the murky waters of myth and reality, a true testament to the untamed spirit of the wild. Gustave, is a living dinosaur and proof of their existence in the past if any was needed.
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