HON. TSVANGIRAI asked the Minister of Environment, Climate and Wildlife to inform the House what measures the Ministry has put in place to address the problem of crocodile attacks at Lake Chivero
THE MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT, CLIMATE AND WILDLIFE (HON. DR. NYONI): Allow me to thank the Hon. Tsvangirai for the question. Allow me to give a background on the human and crocodile conflicts. A total of three (3) people were recorded by the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) as having been attacked by the crocodiles, two men had their legs injured in February 2024, whereas one woman was killed at Crocodile Creek in March 2024. The problematic crocodiles were searched and eventually eliminated (killed) in March 2024. Since then due to various interventions, there has been no reports on incidences of human-crocodile conflict.
Mr. Speaker Sir, my Ministry has put in place the following measures to mitigate human-crocodile conflicts in Lake Chivero;
- ZimParks is holding frequent education and awareness session with fishermen and holiday makers on the potential threats posed by crocodiles on the lake.
- ZimParks has put up “Beware of Crocodiles” signs at all strategic points (entry points, offices and on the lakeshore).
- ZimParks has intensified enforcement of the “fish from the bank” by law through Ranger patrols along the lakeshore.
- ZimParks is making arrangements to open up a canoe hiring facility for fishermen/anglers so that they do not dip legs in the water as they fish.
- The recent increase in crocodile sightings has also spurred ZimParks to investigate the root cause of such. Current efforts are underway to investigate reports of escapees from former crocodile farms upstream of Lake Chivero where crocodiles are said to have been abandoned and may have found their way into the river systems and ultimately into the lake.
- ZimParks has enhanced monitoring efforts in Lake Chivero and where possible, remove problem crocodiles in the water body. Due to its sensitivity to high human activity, it is important to reduce the crocodile population to levels where human-wildlife conflict is kept at a minimum. I thank you.