At the Crocworld Conservation Centre in South Africa, Henry, the oldest crocodile in the world, celebrated his 124th birthday on Monday. According to Live Science, the sanctuary has been home to the man-eating Nile crocodile since 1985 and has produced over 10,000 offspring. In 1903, he started his adventure in Botswana’s Okavango Delta. Although his precise birthdate is unknown, December 16 is his birthday. According to Crocworld staff, Henry was born circa 1900.
Steven Austad, a biologist at the University of Alabama who studies animal aging, told Live Science, “He’s obviously old. We don’t really know if he’s 100 or 130. A crocodile of 124 years old is not unthinkable,” he continued. Henry, who is thought to be the largest crocodile alive, is well-known for his enormous size and menacing fang-like jaws. He is 16.4 feet tall and 700 kg in weight.
The crocodile reportedly started out as a cause of fear for one of the tribes in Botswana that live in a delta region on the Okavango River. He is said to have consumed a number of men and children. Sir Henry, an elephant hunter, captured Henry and gave him his name. Tribal authorities sentenced him to life in captivity after he was taken into custody. Henry has resided at the Crocworld Conservation Centre in South Africa for the last thirty years. He still amazes guests there with his size and age.
Notably, 26 nations in Sub-Saharan Africa are home to Nile crocodiles. Because of their vicious temperament, these apex predators cause hundreds of fatalities in the area every year.
