The theory I know is that you (a human) (er presumably) can outrun anything on four legs for a brief period of time. If that's enough to climb a tree (or more like run up the trunk) then that's probably OK. Crocodiles can't climb trees.
In any case, who's climbing? The reason the article's story is "apocryphal" is because even a few hundred crocs would be toast going up against a few hundred men with guns. Or any weapon really. Crocs are fast but humans are smart and can work together. Like your grandfather's story goes to show.
The somewhat sad truth is that we are the apex predator and the deadliest animal on the planet (yeah, including mosquitoes; humans have killed many more humans than mosquitoes have).
In any case, who's climbing? The reason the article's story is "apocryphal" is because even a few hundred crocs would be toast going up against a few hundred men with guns. Or any weapon really. Crocs are fast but humans are smart and can work together. Like your grandfather's story goes to show.
The somewhat sad truth is that we are the apex predator and the deadliest animal on the planet (yeah, including mosquitoes; humans have killed many more humans than mosquitoes have).