Crocs on the loose in Sinazongwe

THE Department National Parks and Wildlife and crocodile farmers have been urged to address the human-animal conflict in Sinazongwe.

Sinazongwe Member of Parliament Gift Sialubalo said there had been an increase in the number of people being attacked by reptiles particularly on the shores of Lake Kariba.

According to Mr Sialubalo, about 20 people have lost their lives this year while doing their gardening near the lake. He said that the sad development had raised concerns among residents in Sinazongwe and surrounding areas. He said in an interview that the human-animal conflict must be addressed through the Department of National Parks and Wildlife before more lives could be lost.

“The reptiles were not very vicious towards the people in the olden days, but now things have changed, maybe it is due to the increase in the number of the reptiles in the area," he said.

Mr Sialubalo suggested that the crocodiles should be cropped to reduce the number of reptiles that were on the loose.

“If they crop the reptiles, they would still have enough to sell to the outside market which can in turn contribute to the country’s gross domestic product,” he said.

He said the crocodile attacks were not common in Sinazongwe until the number of crocodile farmers increased.

He said the lake was created for the people that were displaced during the construction of the Kariba dam to have some form of livelihood and not to be harmed.

Mr Sialubalo said he appreciate the importance of the reptiles as they contribute to the creation of employment and to the promotion of tourism in Sinazongwe.

Sinazongwe District Council chairman, Alick Muleya, advised residents to be alert as the reptiles were more active because of the hot weather.