myTobago – your questions, review and comment about Tobago

Beware of the mean green moray eel lurking around St Giles Rock off Charlotteville!
My stepson Mats (16) got bitten in the leg (left calf), luckily only a flesh wound. Thanks to Curtis on the boat, Phil on land and the American medical team in Charlotteville (first day at work!) he received rapid expert treatment (20+ stitches) and were able to get back home to Sweden the day after, as scheduled. He´s doing fine now but sure has got a story to tell!
/Lennart

Sorry to hear of a flesh wound needing attention, but I would love to hear Mats story, as moray eels along with most wild creatures give plenty of prior warning before defending their territory or family. It is most annoying to hear of stories like this; because to me the eel was not at fault. We shouldn't be aware of the green moray, we should be aware of the area we are swimming, snorkelling, diving in.

Kevin, Having not been there how can you say it was Mats fault and not the eels. It is most annoying to me to have you make a statement like that. I have been a diver for over 25 years and never had an eel act like this one. Right after Mats, his brothers, and parents jumped in the water the eel came up from the bottom approached one brother and then turned on Mats and with no warning clamped on his leg. He kicked it and it let go with its teeth slicing through the skin. As far as being a flesh wound I think Lennart is trying to not make a big deal. It took 2 doctors over 2 hours to stitch him up, a little more than a flesh wound. The comments from the doctors was that Mats was really lucky. Kevin if you don't know the details don't make statements you can't back up. Phil

Hi Phil / Lennart

I do hope Mats makes a full recovery without too much scarring ... must have been quite a disturbing experience for everyone involved.

I understand that it is quite rare for Morays to come near the suface (is this true?) ... there is a big Green Moray in Arnos Vale that I have seen from the surface ... it looked real mean with bad intentions and I was relieved to see it stay about 15 feet down ... just the sight of it had my sphincter twitching somewhat.

Regards

Yes, we were quite surprised to see it swimming freely. It went to the rocky bottom (10 feet below) immediately after the attack. It never got a real grip but sort of sliced trough the flesh (uncomfortable enough for Mats!) giving cuts like that of a razor blade. The doctors at the clinic were quite thrilled as were the people in the village. None have heard of anything like this before - it even made it to the local news.

As for respect: of course, I wouldn't dream of disturbing a moray, especially not in its cave!

i'm sure you have, but if nobody has provided it, consider some anti-biotic cover.

morays are voracious feeders (ever seen one go through a fish trap?) but have real poor eyesight and even worse dental hygeine.

risk of infection is high as they can carry around all kinds of bacteria laden detritus in their mouths.

anyone seen the medium sized green moray on the reef off Store Bay? clearly had a mishap in the past and his lower jaw is cleft. looks even more scary than the norm when he pops out of the reef

regards
paul

♫ When you see a big fish
In the sea, with big teeth,
Thats....

A Moray !!!♫

Hi Phil et al, sorry that I've seemed to upset you all.This quote seems to sum up my point though,

Right after Mats, his brothers, and parents jumped in the water the eel came up from the bottom approached one brother and then turned on Mats and with no warning

There is no initial mention by Lennart about the groups interaction with the moray and why it reacted in this abnormal way. I am also a diver and have never seen a moray react this way, but that is beacause, we or they generally have a bit of time when first seen and can avoid confrontations. I was keen to ascertain the way the moray was forced to react this way and your mention of at least 5 people jumping into the water (I'm assuming fairly shallow) seems to suggest my defence theory. With no warning generally means not seeing the warning signs and reacting accordingly. Such as, " The car came out of nowhere officer......."
We enter their surroundings and they protect them if threatened. If you jmped into the water and landed on piece of metal, is it the piece of metals fault or yours for not being aware it was there?
So I know we don't go out of our way to upset or disturb the creatures we meet, but if we do and they defend their territory please don't suggest we have to stay out of the way of mean creatures.
I will stop now or I may start a Steve Irwin discussion.........
Regards.
Kevin.

Hmmm ... I agree that we can't blame the Moray Eel ... but, that does not mean that we are to blame either ... just an unfortunate incident.

It's like if I wandered around the African Bush then it's inevitable that I will get eaten by a Lion ... who is to blame?

If the Global population of Moray Eels had the intelligence to set up a forum to discuss their issues we may understand things better so ... can we drop the anal 'blame' issue please and discuss this incident constructively because I see no answer to this other than a human stand-off at the rate you are going ... smile

Regards