Namibia plans to auction nearly 40 crocodiles soon and issue more permits to hunt these large reptiles.
The crocodile population has increased significantly over the past few years, which has also led to more attacks on people and livestock.
Pohamba Shifeta, Namibia’s minister of environmental affairs, told AFP that the crocodile population’s numbers in some areas in this country have increased to such an extent that it is no longer sustainable.
“We targeted different areas where the population exceeds the capacity, and where these crocodiles then start to attack people.”
According to the department, 40 crocodiles will be caught and auctioned off in rivers in the wildlife-rich northeastern areas of Kavango and Zambezi.
The crocodiles will then be sold to anyone who can provide proof that they can sustainably resettle these crocodiles. They must also have the necessary export permits and documentation.
“We are also looking at conservation areas where crocodile attacks on people have increased, and will increase trophy hunting quotas in these areas – maybe even double them,” says Shifeta.
The government says its decision is based on research into the reptile population following several complaints that crocodiles are moving into inhabited areas.
Since 2019, the department has paid out more than 2.3 million Namibian dollars (R2.3 million) in compensation to families affected by crocodile attacks – some of them fatal.
A total of 14 payments were made to injured people, as well as payments due to a loss of livestock.
Bidding is expected to begin on July 17 and sales will be repeated periodically to control population numbers.
