Separated from certain death only by a metal grill, a thrill-seeking pensioner comes face-to-face with one of the most dangerous creatures on earth.
Lowered into the water in a cage, danger-mad 73-year-old Janet Martyn, from Walthamstow, London, is a matter of inches away from three deadly, 12-foot long Nile crocodiles.
While brave Janet was getting her bearings in the water in the Cango Wildlife Ranch in South Africa, the animals began circling her, and would normally have been licking their lips at the prospect of a hearty meal.
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Thrill-seeker: Janet Martyn, 73, goes cage diving with crocodiles in South Africa and, without the benefit of the shield, would probably have been eaten within secondsKillers: Two of the three crocs to come face-to-face with Janet, named Hannibal and Marbaker, and begin to circle her
Predators: Nile crocodiles will eat almost anything and can spend days, weeks, or even months stalking their prey and waiting for the right moment to strike
But the crocs, named Hannibal, Marbaker and Sue, recognised Jan as a familiar face - and, instead of trying to take chunks out of her, began playfully nuzzling her cage.
More... The day I was almost killed by a rampaging herd of cows, by DAVID BLUNKETT The wonders of the animal kingdom captured in stunning entries for National Geographic's 2013 Traveler Photo ContestJan has been a volunteer at the centre, which is home to nearly 100 species, for seven years, and regularly gets dunked in the water to meet them.
The adrenaline-pumping act isn't for the faint-hearted, though, as Nile crocodiles are extremely dangerous.
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