Summary
Highlights
In the heart of Africa, Burundi, a terrifying creature known as Gustave, the largest Nile crocodile ever observed, has been responsible for nearly 300 deaths. Herpetologist Patrice Fay embarks on a mission to capture this dangerous giant alive.
The Rwuzizi River, flowing through Burundi's national park, provides a perfect habitat for crocodiles, but also attracts poachers. Patrice frequently finds illegal traps, highlighting the dual challenge of protecting both humans from crocodiles and crocodiles from poachers. Patrice investigates a possible crocodile attack, fueling anxiety among villagers about the man-eater.
After two years, Patrice realizes a single animal, dubbed Gustave, is responsible for most attacks, striking fear throughout Burundi. He seeks permission from the Minister of the Environment to capture Gustave alive for study. Despite political turmoil, he receives approval but only has two months to act.
Patrice designs a massive, custom-built cage, nearly thirty feet long and weighing over a ton, ensuring it's strong enough not to harm Gustave. He enlists the help of Marco Gonswana, a crocodile farm owner, to ensure the crocodile's safety during capture. Patrice and Marco scout Gustave's territory in Rousizi National Park, observing the uneasy coexistence of hippos and crocodiles.
Local myths exaggerate Gustave's size, but Patrice estimates him to be 18-21 feet long, weighing over a ton. Dr. Alison Leslie, a crocodile capture expert, joins the team, impressed by the cage's size, preparing for the daunting task of capturing such a large animal.
With Gustave unseen for two months, the team uses a hot air balloon to locate him. Meanwhile, an enclosure is built, with twenty workers from Gatumba village. Marco advises on enlarging the enclosure and creating a shaded area for temperature regulation, as stress can be fatal for large captive crocodiles.
The aerial search leads to a promising area where Gustave is finally spotted. Alison observes him closely, noting old scars from machine gun fire and a spear wound, indicating past conflicts with humans. Comparing him to other crocodiles, Gustave's immense size, over 18 feet, is evident, marking him as the biggest Nile crocodile ever seen. Hippos also show fear and respect for Gustave, defending their young from the known hippopotamus killer.
The team combines their capture attempt with a crocodile safety program for local children. The cage is completed and transported four miles to the delta by the villagers. Alison identifies a prime location for the trap, near where Gustave has been sighted.
Alison estimates Gustave is around 60 years old, not 100, and still growing, despite common belief. The men painstakingly transport the cage to the chosen spot. Gustave briefly appears across the river, confirming the location as ideal. As night falls, Mark baits the trap with cow blood and a cow's head, initiating a perilous waiting game. A hidden infrared camera monitors the cage.
Gustave approaches the cage but doesn't enter. A week later, Allison discovers a cow carcass, likely killed by Gustave. To her surprise, hippos gather around the carcass, performing a strange, almost ritualistic 'funeral rite,' a behavior rarely captured on camera. This suggests crocodiles aren't desperate for food, as they can go months without eating.
Local villagers believe a medicine man's spell on Gustave is preventing his capture. Despite the skepticism, Patrice allows a ritual. After another human death, Patrice and Alison decide to employ three large pitman traps, giant snares, in addition to the cage. These pitman traps are constructed and strategically placed.
One of the pitman traps is sprung, capturing a smaller, inexperienced female crocodile. The team gathers data before releasing her, confirming the traps are effective, but Gustave remains elusive. They decide to install live bait, first chicken, then a goat, in the cage, hoping to lure Gustave. However, Gustave remains wary and avoids the trap.
After numerous attempts, the cage collapses due to rising waters, and the goat bait disappears. The infrared camera is destroyed, leaving the team uncertain of what exactly happened. Time runs out as their safety can no longer be guaranteed by the army. The mission ends in failure, leaving the team demoralized by nature's triumph over their efforts. Six months later, Gustave's fate remains unknown, with no reported sightings or attacks.