via We cannot just kill the crocodiles | The Zimbabwean 18 August 2014
When the Kariba Holidays Facebook page called for the setting up of a Crocodile Attack Database on 23 July 2014, the overwhelming response from those of the 16,000 plus people reached who responded was: What for? Just cull (kill) the crocodiles.
The post, coming soon after the attack and killing of Mackenzie Bailey (69) and Mai Mbewe within a fortnight of each other in July 2014, was mirrored by a similarly heavily-subscribed post on Mike Garden’s Bambazonke email forum.
Another victim was taken and killed by a crocodile last Monday, 11th August in the Nyanyana area of Kariba, exactly where Mai Mbewe was taken. The latest victim has been identified as a Mr Zhanda who worked for Lake Harvest Aquaculture, Zimbabwe biggest aquaculture operation.
Even though two large crocodiles have been shot, killed and gutted so far, no human remains have been found in them, suggesting that they are not the killer reptiles.
Locals have threatened to poison crocodiles if wildlife authorities do not take drastic measures to reduce fatalities among the fishing communities.
The call by Kariba Holidays is not unprecedented as the latest issue of Environment Africa’s Greenline Africa magazine issue reports that Australian researchers have launched the world’s first crocodile attack database, CrocBITE, “hoping to firm anecdotal reports that harmful or fatal incidents are increasing.”
It was disappointing, however, to note that most of the contributions were based on mere thoughts and beliefs that were not supported by factual data from substantive surveys. It would be naïve to expect Parks and Wildlife authorities to act based on such speculative information.
Prove it
There was also no official response to the public outcry from the Parks and Wildlife Management Authority.
Admittedly, crocodile attacks have increased in the recent past, but to attribute this to increased numbers is not helping matters unless we can prove this. No wildlife authority worth its salt would be expected to act randomly and sentimentally.
But the contributions did yield positive and serious contributions, some of which I put down here for wildlife authorities to consider implementing.
If a systematic and authoritative survey proves that we have more crocodiles than necessary in Lake Kariba, large and potentially dangerous crocodiles should be culled before they kill people, not afterwards – as is the case now. Culling should happen first in populated areas and holiday and leisure spots. It has been rightly observed that popular water sports such as skiing and spear-fishing are no longer possible in Kariba due to the crocodile menace.
Natural hunters
Culling, though necessary, is not going to be the best solution to the problem. It has been noted that people have been a big influence in the way crocodiles have adapted to their environment over time.
They are natural hunters but also very receptive to food that comes to them easily in the form of unwary human beings fishing, bathing and washing in the lake, houseboat dumpings, kapenta rig dumpings etc. Education is the key here. Crocodile breeders returning full grown crocodiles into the wild also contribute to prolonging lives more than would be naturally possible in the wild.
These crocodiles should be released in areas far away from human habitation or the practice should be stopped altogether, if numbers are, indeed, too high. Wildlife authorities are encouraged to put crocodiles out to tender for hunting and safari operators, and make the trophies exportable. Crocodiles are a menace and are to be regarded seriously, but if used in this way, the revenue generated can be used for conservation efforts and education purposes.
Crocodiles are on the CITES endangered species list and also play an important role in controlling barbel populations in most water bodies, hence it is naïve to try to underplay their role in the delicate ecosystem(s) currently subsisting.
No matter what happens, the public must be educated. The alarming number of deaths and injuries from crocodile attacks in recent months could be an indication that we have become a bit careless whilst outdoors. This has to change. We have to accord each other due respect. We cannot justify killing crocodiles for being what they are – hunters. There have to be valid reasons for any action taken. – The author is a Kariba-based Incentive Travel Organizer and can be reached on: ulakariba@gmail.com
COMMENTS
Host the next ZPF congress in Kariba and promise the delegates free lakeside plots , encourage them to wade into the waters pegging their bit. It will solve two problems , firstly we will be rid of the ZPF devils and secondly all the large Crocs will die from indigestion.
I like this option.
“Crocodiles are a menace” Sorry I don’t agree with you on that point. Human beings are the menace. Corrupt humans beings that is. Wild life has always been key to a strong economy but Humans are encroaching and interfering in these environments thus forcing a change of behaviour on some species. Recently it was lions. Elephants are being poisoned. Where does it stop? Do we not realize that we are destroying the future generations inheritance. The land invasions have not spared the game sanctuaries. When the animals animals strike back they are a menace. Who is regulating the activities in lake Kariba? This whole problems is connected with the current political chaos. The Minister involved needs to comment.
Just think how much income crocodile skin shoes , belts , wallets etc etc can do for Zimbabwe . Solve the countries debt problem for sure and everyone will be happy.
Too many crocs released back into the Lake. Nat parks gave list the plot
Should read “have lost the plot”.
The mind boogies 100 % haha and extend the invitation to all close relatives and families , zonke ena mushi but ena Akona right !!!!!!!!!
Excuse me if I sound too insensitive but I find the notion of killing a crocodile that has already devoured a human being and taking the human remains of out the reptile’s belly to bury them absurd. The unfortunate person is already dead and their body is already providing nutrition to the lucky reptile but no we must kill the reptile and bury the human remains in the ground. We feel better if the remains rot in the ground than be food to the croc. All this from a species that kills millions of animals, birds, fish, insects, and reptiles for food every day. We like to eat meat but don’t like it when we are meat in the food chain.
GOT IT IN ONE. MAN IS THE MENACE EVERY TIME.
Dyiwa iwe urinyama. Hameno kune masigns kuma hombe kombe kwazambezi here? Vanhu ngava rangaridzwe kuti vanodyiwa. Musawuraya makarwe hazvibatsiri chero kukasara 1 ukapinda mumvura rava nenzara ngoma ndiyo ndiyo kkkkkkk.
We are a crocodile farming operation based on the shores of Lake Kariba and I can assure you that crocodile breeders are NOT releasing any crocodiles back into the lake. This practice stopped many years ago (I have been in the industry for 10 years). Reporters should try doing some research before publishing inaccurate stories.
thanks so much for this information. will double check and revert.
Sad that you white people will turn a simple wildlife issue into a tirade against black people. why dont us just go to Alaska or sideria where you will hardly get ant ZANU PF and related persons of colour?? Such hairbrained and unintelligent “superiority”
So the only causality from culling crocodiles is too much Barbell?? That is ridiculous just get rid of the bloody things and let the people enjoy the waters. It’s survival of the fittest.