Posted on 10/19/2005 1:13:22 PM PDT by Fighting Irish
Almost one in three people bitten by deadly saltwater crocodiles in Australia had been drinking alcohol before the animal attacked, new research has found.
An Australian review of unprovoked crocodile attacks on humans between 1971 and 2004 found that 29 percent of the 62 attacks had involved some alcohol consumption by the victim.
"About one-third of the people who had been attacked had actually been drinking alcohol," study co-author Charlie Manolis told AFP Wednesday.
"But it doesn't mean they were ... (drunk) when they fell into the river -- although it did happen."
Manolis said the research found that crocodiles were opportunistic predators and that when people took risks while in their habitat, they sometimes paid the ultimate price.
"Sometimes when people do drink they throw caution to the wind," he said.
The study, published in the US-based Wilderness Medical Society journal, found that fatal attacks had remained roughly stable at about two per year since the 1970s.
"But the number of non-fatal attacks has increased markedly," Manolis said.
Non-fatal attacks increased sharply from about 0.1 per year between 1971 and 1980 to 3.3 per year from 2001 to 2004, according to the study.
The research found that most attacks (81 percent) occurred while the victim was swimming or wading and that all fatal attacks involved water.
Manolis said the dramatic increase in the saltwater crocodile population since the species was protected in the early 1970s was not necessarily responsible for the increase in attacks.
The number of wild "salties" estimated to live in the Northern Territory has jumped from as few as 3,000 in 1971 to more than 75,000 currently.
But he said because the average size of crocodiles had increased over that time, the animals attacking humans had often changed from a small "hatchling" to a four-metre giant weighing hundreds of kilograms.
Last month a man was killed by a five-metre crocodile while diving near Darwin, five days after a British snorkeller was taken and killed by a croc.
But Manolis does not think culling is the answer.
"It's people being sensible," he said.
So, if I get drunk and attacked by a croc, I can sue SHIRAZ, FAT BASTARD and FOSTER'S?....................
So the lesson here is, not drinking increases your chances of being attacked by a croc some 100%.
Or does this study show that 1/3 of all Aussies are sauced all the time?
DATA INCONCLUSIVE....RESET RESET
What a croc...
First rule is: Never attempt to pour a drink in a croc's mouth yourself. (That's why reason you brought friends from the Office... 'specially the guy who can't refuse a dare.)
if being drunk around a croc is responsible fo 29% of croc attacks, then...
oughtn't we do something about those SOBER folks who account for the other 71%?? they ARE more at risk , ain't they?
"Hey, hold my beer and watch this!"
LOL! One out of three Aussies will have been drinking before anything happens to them.
Crocs like their meat sauteed? Crikey!
"But Manolis does not think culling is the answer."
Thats funny.
The klintonistas didn't think killing or capturing Usama and al-Qaeda was the answer, either.
> The number of wild "salties" estimated to live in the Northern Territory has jumped from as few as 3,000 in 1971 to more than 75,000 currently.
But, that had nothing to do with the increase in attacks. Riiiiiight.
More properly said: Hey'Mate hold my Fosters and eye this!"
Agreed. The title should read: "STUDY FIND LINK BETWEEN ALCOHOL AND BEING AUSTRAILIAN".
Last month a man was killed by a five-metre crocodile while diving near Darwin, five days after a British snorkeller was taken and killed by a croc.
But Manolis does not think culling is the answer.
"It's people being sensible," he said.
75,000?.....Croc.It's what's for dinner.........
Memo to self: Stay out of the water at Aussie beaches. Spend time in the bar instead.
"Almost one in three people bitten by deadly saltwater crocodiles in Australia had been drinking alcohol before the animal attacked, new research has found. "
Maybe crocs like alcohol too. After all, half-crocked isn't as good as fully crocked, even if you are a croc.
Aussie pickles.
WARNING! Consuming alcoholic beverages can raise your risk of getting cancer, birth defects, automobile accidents and eaten by a crocodile.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.