Negative human–crocodile interactions in Kariba, Zimbabwe: data to support potential mitigation strategies

Abstract

Interactions between people and wild animals often result in negative impacts, and different views on the management of such interactions can lead to conflicts. Both intentional and unintentional negative human–wildlife interactions are increasing problems in many places where people share space with wild animals. Here we focus on negative interactions between people and Nile crocodiles Crocodylus niloticus in and around Lake Kariba in Zimbabwe. In the study area, crocodile attacks on people occur frequently, leading to people being injured or killed, which in turn prompts retaliatory actions against crocodiles. However, despite the negative impact of such interactions on both people and crocodiles, little is known about the spatio-temporal patterns of crocodile attacks or environmental conditions under which attacks occur. We collected information about crocodile attacks on people that occurred during 2000–2020, including the date, time, season and location of attacks, the age of victims and the activities they were carrying out when attacks occurred, and water conditions during attacks. We analysed these data to discern patterns and trends of crocodile attacks on people. Attacks occurred in clear as well as turbid water, and nearly half of all reported attacks were at night or in the early morning. The locations with the highest number of recorded attacks were Nyanyana and Charara lakeside, and the fewest attacks occurred at Andora harbour. Most victims were 26–40 years old, and most were attacked in the dry-hot season, while they were fishing. Our findings can be used to design area-specific mitigation strategies to reduce negative human–crocodile interactions.

An index to assess the level of vulnerability to crocodiles in coastal communities

“…In numerous areas where humans coexist with wild animals, both intentional and unintentional negative interactions between them are becoming increasingly problematic (Matanzima et al 2022). The scope of this phenomenon is not limited to a specific geographic region or climatic condition; it occurs in all regions where human populations and wildlife share habitats and resources (Márquez and Goldstein 2014).…”

Human–crocodile interactions in the western Solomon Islands: the importance of local data for reducing attacks on people

“…Local data based on site-specific research are crucial because they reveal details and experiences that larger scale studies may obscure. Examples of such local studies include Das & Jana (2018) and Matanzima et al (2023) for the Indian Sundarban and Lake Kariba, Zimbabwe, respectively.…”

“…In the Solomon Islands the species interacts with people in various ways, including negative encounters and positive relationships in which members of local clans ( butubutu ) regard crocodiles as their totemic ancestors, and may speak to them or use their presence as omens of human affairs (Aswani & Vaccaro, 2008). Negative interactions between crocodiles and people can pose a challenge to crocodile conservation (Pooley, 2015, 2016; Matanzima et al, 2023).…”

Wildlife conservation through traditional values: alarming numbers of crocodile attacks reported from Timor-Leste

“…In the case of saltwater crocodiles, the increasing and expanding populations in several parts of their range (e.g. Solomon Islands, Aswani & Matanzima, 2024; Malaysia) add to the potential for conflict (Webb et al, 2021). The situation in Timor-Leste is a case study of the challenges decision-makers face in implementing a context-specific management programme without incurring high costs to local people in regions where humans and crocodiles coexist (IUCN, 2023).…”