Caimans, ‘camoudies’ take up residence in North Ruimveldt squatting area
Some residents of a North Ruimveldt squatting community say that they are living in fear of potentially dangerous ‘neighbours’—- a ‘family’ of anacondas that has taken up residence in a nearby, weed-infested trench.
The reptiles reportedly took up residence there a few months ago in the trench, which runs across the back of the squatting area.
The trench, residents explained, for the past few years has never been cleaned and as a result, flooding will also occur.
One resident, Natasha Fordyce, stated yesterday that she recently saw the ‘camoudies’ attacking a dog. Since she has seven children, she is worried for their safety.
Another resident also claimed to have seen a ‘camoudie’ swallow a dog and he is worried that the serpents will also attack the children “that does be running about.”
Youths from the same area with a snake they recently caught
“Right now they (camoudies) attacking dogs but what will happen when all de dogs gone? Who will they turn to? – is the children…The trench need cleaning, them things living in there…” the resident said.
Fordyce also stated that there is an enormous “alligator-like thing” that would be seen passing under houses and lying under trees.
However all attempts made by the villagers to capture the creature have been futile.
“Every time they try to trap it, he always gets away…They (villagers) would try to chop it but the cutlass just bouncing off…” Fordyce lamented.
Some residents also complained about the increasing number of caimans in the area, which would usually be seen lurking about on the dams and roads at night.
Public Relations Officer (PRO) Debra Lewis, of the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) stated yesterday that cleaning has already commenced in the North Ruimveldt area and the trench is earmarked for cleaning and de- silting.
But she cannot say when the contractors would reach that particular spot.
She also stated that the presence of squatters on dams is hampering the work of the City Council crews.
Nevertheless, there will be an inter-agency approach to have persons relocated.
“It’s truly a sad situation, I mean because of socio-economic reason residents have to live under those conditions, but I hope that once relocated, they can have better living conditions…”she said.