Crocodiles of the Okavango

 
Earthwatch - Crocodiles of the Okavango
 
Earthwatch is an international environmental charity which is committed to conserving the diversity and integrity of life on earth to meet the needs of current and future generations. They work with a wide range of partners, from individuals who work as conservation volunteers on research teams through to corporate partners, governments and institutions.
 
The Okavango Delta is one of the most important wetlands in Africa, providing a breeding place for many rare birds and hosting unique and diverse aquatic flora and fauna. As a keystone species, Nile crocodiles help maintain an intricate balance within the ecosystems they occupy and are therefore essential to the conservation of biodiversity of the wetland systems. Due to increasing human activities, associated pollution and extensive water extraction and declining fish stocks, essential crocodillian habitat is being lost throughout the world.
 
Although it is a keystone species, no management plan exists for the Okavango Nile crocodile and no research or monitoring has been carried out on this population for well over a decade. The aim of the Botswana research project is to study the ecology and physiology of the Nile crocodile, to contribute to the conservation and sustained development of the Okavango System. 
 
Leslie, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Conservation Ecology at University of Stellenbosch, South Africa, said, 'The Nile crocodile is threatened over much of its range in sub-Saharan Africa and relocation is one of the many suggested management policies that we hope will alleviate conflict.
 
Leslie's work with teams on the Earthwatch-supported Crocodiles of the Okavango project is designed to examine the habitat needs of wild crocodiles, determine their impact on local human populations, and recommend conservation solutions. She has just received permits, and already has the land and local support to start a community-run crocodile farm, that will stem hunting pressure on wild populations and provide a sustainable local economy.
 
'Animals such as this one will not be shot, but instead, captured and used as future breeding stock. A certain percentage of the offspring will be released into the wild, while the rest will be sold to farmers, thereby establishing a sustainable utilisation programme directly benefiting the communities themselves.'
 
The relocation effort also captured the attention of Botswana wildlife authorities, who were invited to assist and see, for the first time, how a crocodile can be captured and transported. Their growing interest has led to Leslie's team leading a training workshop for wildlife students and conservation officials. This kind of impact is crucial, as wildlife authorities in Botswana currently lack the resources and expertise to effectively assess wild crocodile populations and alleviate conflicts.
 
Lesley concluded, 'As a result of our work, the "problem" crocodile, is no longer such a problem and will still contribute to the next generation of Okavango crocodiles. More importantly, we have created local awareness of this issue and started to change views on crocodile conservation in Botswana.'