WINDHOEK: Officials from the government of Namibia said on Thursday it would opt to auction dozens of crocodiles and deliver more permits to hunt the big reptiles as the growing population of the species was leading to more attacks on the masses.
Environment Minister Pohamba Shifeta told AFP the decision was taken as number of the crocodile in parts of the southern African country have enhanced to a point where they are no longer affordable.
Shifeta further said that they have targeted different areas where the crocodile population exceeded the carrying capacity and moved onto the shore to attack the people over there.
In another statement on Wednesday, the ministry maintained that 40 crocodiles would be captured from rivers in the northeastern, wildlife-rich regions of Kavango and Zambezi and would be auctioned off.
The statement added that the crocodiles would be sold to those who could prove they have suitable habitats along with proper export papers.
Crocodiles’ Attack on Humans
It further stated that since 2019 the ministry paid over 2.3 million Namibian dollars ($125,000) in compensation to the families being affected by crocodile attacks, some of which were fatal.
According to the ministry, the bidding for the crocodiles is set to commence on July 17 and sales would be repeated periodically to control population numbers.
Meanwhile, Shifeta said that the decision was based on a study showing an increase in the population of crocodiles along with increasing movement into inhabited areas.
