The Akatsi North District Assembly says it will launch a full-scale investigation into the incident of a crocodile attack on a female tourist at the Ave Crocodile Resort at Ave Dakpa in the Akatsi North District and institute measures to avoid a reoccurrence.
The assembly said its preliminary investigations show that the incident occurred on December 20, 2020, when a group of local tourists visited the crocodile resort to have fun.
The assembly in a statement said, “The Tour guide was unable to properly direct the female tourist as to how she can position herself before touching the crocodile in that moment of excitement,” hence the unfortunate incident.
A video of the crocodile attack that has gone viral shows the reptile lying calmly as a group of tourists gathered around it to take photos, but the crocodile charged towards a female tourist when she joined the group later and touched the crocodile in an attempt to join in the photo.
According to the Akatsi North District Assembly which manages the site, the victim was treated and discharged after she was rushed to a nearby health facility.
The assembly said it has identified a number of “security lapses” that also contributed to the incident and will urgently address them.
While assuring the general public that the crocodiles at Ave Dakpa Crocodile Resort are friendly, the assembly urged the public and the media to desist from the further circulation of the attack video due to its sensitive nature and trauma on the victims.
Read the assembly’s preliminary findings below:
Preliminary investigations initiated with the technical assistance from the Ghana Tourism Authority on 2nd January 2021, have revealed a number of observations worth reviewing;
- The unfortunate incident occurred on 20th December, 2020.
- But no report was made by the guests to the Assembly for redress.
- One woman (main victim) as seen in the video was part of a group of local tourists who visited the Ave Crocodile Resort to have fun.
- The tourists were having fun taking photos with one of the crocodiles and when it was the turn of the woman before the unfortunate incident happened.
- The woman sustained some level of injury and was taken to a health facility for treatment and thankfully was discharged.
- The rest of the local tourists did not suffer any injury but proved very supportive in getting their colleague to the health facility immediately.
- The tour guide was unable to properly direct the female tourist as to how she can position herself before touching the crocodile in that moment of excitement.
- Some security lapses have also been identified as a result of the incident which will require urgent attention.
- Assembly’s revenue staff were not at post when the incident occurred.
- Even the tour guide did not report the incident to the Assembly.
The Akatsi North District Assembly shall institute a full-scale investigation into the operations of the facility and instruct measures in consultation with appropriate stakeholders like the Ghana Tourism Authority and Wildlife Division to bring the issue to finality and prevent recurrence in the future.
The Akatsi North District Assembly will like to assure the general public that the crocodiles of Ave Crocodile Resort are so friendly and that this is an isolated incident which could have been avoided.
We regret any inconveniences this incident, and it’s associated videos may have caused all while thanking all for the show of interest and support so far.
For the sensitive nature of the video to the general public and the victim and those traumatized as a result of this video, we will like to plead with the media to stop further circulation of the video and direct any issue relating to the video and the incident that happened to the Akatsi North District Assembly for redress.
