The Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) has raised alarms over a surge in crocodile-related incidents, which have seen 9 people killed and 11 injured over the past two months.

In a statement, Zimparks said during the period, approximately 44 cattle and 60 goats have fallen victim to the predators, with 49 reported instances of human-crocodile encounters.

Moreover, an additional 16 incidents were documented across various regions, including Matopo, Harare, northwestern Matabeleland, and southeastern Lowveld.

In light of the vents, the authority is urging local communities to remain vigilant, particularly near bodies of water during the rainy season.

“It’s crucial for residents to ensure that livestock and children are not left unsupervised close to rivers or lakes to avoid becoming easy prey,” ZimParks cautioned.

It also highlighted the need for safety measures during recreational water activities, such as fishing and swimming.

The ongoing human-crocodile conflict is particularly pronounced in regions where human populations and crocodile habitats overlap.

The tension is often intensified by human endeavours like fishing, agriculture, and the expansion of settlements that encroach on these reptiles’ habitats.

New Ziana