This podcast episode explores the infamous story of the Ramree Island crocodile massacre during World War II. The episode introduces Bruce Wright, a respected naturalist and author whose account in his book helped establish the credibility of the incident. The dangers of saltwater crocodiles, one of the two species that prey on humans, are discussed. The episode then delves into the lack of evidence supporting the mass crocodile attack and reveals that the number of crocodile-related deaths was much lower than the widely circulated story suggests. Herpetologist Stephen Platt and other researchers have examined the British military records and concluded that drowning, machine guns, sharks, and sinking boats were the main causes of death for Japanese soldiers. The episode suggests that the story of the crocodile massacre was likely embellished.
