Quest to find what lurks beneath the River Lea

[Mr T.]

http://www.eppingforestguardian.co.u..._river_lea.php


Quest to find what lurks beneath the River Lea

By Jenny Clarke

THE hunt is on to find out if a bloodthirsty crocodile is lurking in the River Lea.

A reptile or possible a monstrously large fish or an alligator could have been responsible for snatching a large Canada goose from the river, near the Lea Interchange on the Stratford border with Leyton.

Since then reports have come in that the peckish beast may be taking its pick from the river's rich menu of wildlife.

Five cygnets have been reported missing to the Lea Rivers Trust and tales of dogs being snatched from the riverbank are doing the rounds among local fishermen.

Extra weight was also thrown behind the speculation this week by an eyewitness to the attack.

Mark Gallant, Lea Rivers Trust conservation officer, was on a boat when the creature of the deep struck. He said it was not impossible that a crocodile or even an alligator could be responsible for the bird's untimely demise.

The wildlife expert said: "It is a possibility. In the past we have found some unexpected creatures in the river. I have seen red eared terrapins and certain species of turtle in this waterway. I wouldn't rule it out."

Yesterday Guardian staff took their lives into their hands when they set out up river with Mr Gallant.

But not everyone was so keen to snap up the rumours.

An expert zoologist, Richard Freeman of Exeter, read our story on the internet and called in to suggest that a large catfish, similar to the giant specimen found in Barcelona this week, could be the culprit.

Mr Freeman, of the Centre for Fortean Zoology, investigated a similar case in the Martin Mere lake, a wildfowl reserve in Lancashire, in July 2002. Birdwatchers had seen fully grown swans attacked and dragged underwater by a mysterious predator and his investigations led him to believe it was an 8ft long giant wels catfish.

Find out next week what we found lurking in the Lea.

5:54pm Thursday 4th August 2005

[Mr T.]

River 'croc' may be giant turtle




A crocodile was thought to be the original culprit



Fears that a crocodile had set up home in a river have been allayed after zoologists said it was more likely to be a giant turtle.

The crocodile theory began when boat trippers on the River Lea in east London, saw a Canadian Goose apparently pulled under water at speed.

But experts say an alligator snapping turtle, which can grow to about two metres, is a more likely culprit.

The creature may have been a pet which was released into the wild.

Mark Gallant, of the Lea Rivers Trust, who was on the boat, told BBC News it would be frightened away by the sound of a boat motor so traps would have to be set for it.

'Perfect' environment

He said: "We are going to have to try baiting some traps because obviously we can't have a creature that's the top predator preying on our wildlife - you'll have none left.

"Someone might buy it as a baby turtle. After they've had it in their pond, or bath, or whatever they are going to keep it for a while and the thing starts to grow and grow and grow and grow.

"Obviously they can't keep it in their homes anymore so what do they do? They think they are doing a good thing for the actual animal by putting it into a river or stream."

Mr Gallant said the River Lea is the perfect place for the turtle, because the waterways there are similar to their natural habitat in North America.

It provides the creature, which has algae on its back and can stay under the water for an hour, with plenty of places to hide in mud and behind hanging vegetation.

[chrisch]

When we lived in Tottenham I once saw (what I thought was) a tortoise in the Lea. Now I wonder......

Originally Posted by Mr T.

Mr Gallant said the River Lea is the perfect place for the turtle, because the waterways there are similar to their natural habitat in North America.

The turtle's natural habitat is shopping trolleys, nicked mopeds, old car tyres and half sunken houseboats???

Chris

[Crisspy Fiver]

Bren how funny you should post this. I live in Chingford and this was in our local paper to. Does make a change from shootings stabbings rape and murder though!

A few years back Swans and ducks that went missing were put down to illegal immigrants eating them. Now its a croc / turtle.

Jamie

Also Bren do you ever sleep!!!!!!!!!!!

[simon varley]

Anything that's snatching canada geese is good in my book. Disgusting things

[chrisch]

Originally Posted by Crisspy Fiver

A few years back Swans and ducks that went missing were put down to illegal immigrants eating them. Now its a croc / turtle...

No doubt the Evening Standard will have the illegals eating the croc...

Chris

[dry suit diver]

Originally Posted by chrisch

No doubt the Evening Standard will have the illegals eating the croc...

Chris

I'd prefer it the other way round!

[Rod]

There was a similar story about a croc in the River Lea at Tottenham a few years ago, maybe it has grown.