JAWS III

Vital Statistics :

Age : 29 years

Length : 15 feet, 9 inches

Weight : 550 to 600 kilograms

Jaws III is the largest saltwater Crocodile, bred in captivity, in India. It is one of the very few 'large', saltwater Crocodiles of his species.

Saltwater Crocodiles can grow to a length of 20 feet and weigh upto a tonne. The rate of growth of the saltwater Crocodile starts declining after 30 years. The average life span of these Crocodiles is 50 to 70 years. Jaws III is likely to live for another 20 years. Though he is unlikely to grow any longer, he will most certainly become bulkier.

Jaws III was born in a Singapore Zoo, and was brought to Madras Crocodile Bank (MCB) as a two year old. When he came to MCB, he was hardly three feet long.

Saltwater crocodiles are carnivorous. In the wild they attack, kill and eat birds, fish and deer. Surprisingly, Jaws III consumes a measly 6 kilograms of meat a week. Saltwater Crocodiles are found in Asian and Australian waters. They live in fresh water lagoons or brackish coastal waters. An endangered species in India, they are found in the Sunderbans.

A little patience is required to sight Jaws III at his exclusive pit. He is normally reticent, but extremely alert. Saltwater Crocodiles can run at nearly 48 kilometres per hour. Though Jaws III cannot move at this speed, (because of his weight), he can move fast if the need arises.

The Madras Crocodile Bank is anxious to add Jaws III's genes to its gene pool. But Jaws III seems to have decided otherwise. Two attempts were made to introduce a female saltwater Crocodile into Jaws III's pit. On both occasions Jaws III attacked and killed the smaller female Crocodile.

To avoid a repeat of this, the MCB has divided Jaws III's pit into two parts, with a chain link fence. They have introduced a female crocodile into the other side of the pit. It is hoped that, with daily interaction over a year, Jaws III can learn to tolerate the female crocodile and accept it as mate.

If this latest effort proves successful, Chennai could boast of its very own 'Jaws IV'.

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