In April 2012, a fisherman went to work hoping to catch fish. He caught a crocodile instead. This happened at Lake Rumira found in Bugesera District. The unexpected catch led to the outbreak of a fierce battle between the man and the provoked crocodile. A battalion of fellow fishermen backed him up. At the end of the day, the crocodile succumbed to severe axe and machete wounds.

The four-meter long reptile weighed about 600 kilograms. His skull was broken. The scales were badly scratched. In addition, his forelimb and part of his tail were missing. The fishermen claimed responsibility for the deformation of the skull. However, they denied any involvement in the disappearance of the body parts.

What happened to the crocodile’s limb and tail? According to Habimana Innocent, a resident of Gashora Sector found in Bugesera District, serious injuries are common among crocodiles because of the competitive nature of the animal kingdom. "Survival for the fittest is the norm out there. Sometimes, even the fittest end up broken." He told me.

Crocodiles and other animals fight brutal wars throughout their lives. As a result, they suffer terrible wounds and surrender parts of their own bodies. Yes, the fishermen mentioned above had nothing to do with the chopped off limb and tail. Before the crocodile lost his final battle, he had survived many costly fights. Fights that left him physically impaired.

During his lifetime, this crocodile lost organs while doing what he had to do to survive. His final battle caused additional losses — the day he was entangled in a fisherman’s net. Even after death, the poor crocodile kept losing lifeless parts. The thorough cleaning process conducted before the transformation of the body into an exhibition item led to the displacement of the skull and several smaller bones. How do you lose a skull while cleaning the body? Someone owes us an explanation.

The Institute of National Museums of Rwanda reconstructed the skeleton and replaced the missing body parts in a successful bid to recreate the appearance of the fallen crocodile. The parts were obtained from Lake Birira in Ngoma District where another bloody encounter between fishermen and a huge crocodile led to the loss of the latter’s life.

For a long time, the crocodile from Lake Rumira had been accused of turning fishermen into lunch. Evidence was found during the process of preserving his body. One victim’s shoe was found in his belly. Another victim’s attire was found therein.

The man eater’s body is now displayed in the Museum of Environment located in Karongi District. After undergoing a body-preserving process known as taxidermy, this scary creature looks like its former breathing self. Have you ever entered a building and bump into a crocodile? It happened to me.