Project Title: Better understanding of Human-Nile Crocodiles conflicts in Sudd Wetlands in
South Sudan.
Project Summary:
The Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus) is the top freshwater predator that are found throughout the
Sudd Wetlands, river Nile systems and Lakes in most of South Sudan and Africa at large. The species are
strict carnivores and relentless predators throughout their lives as they grow from 30/33 cm in total length up to 6.20 m and weighing over 750 kg. Nile Crocodiles is among the key wildlife species that are
suffering from human disturbance throughout in the River Nile System, Sudd Wetlands and many Lakes
in South Sudan.
The Nile crocodile (crocodylus niloticus) represent the main threats to fisher-folks and
the riverine communities in South Sudan and Africa. It is estimated that hundreds of deadly attacks
attributable to this species occur yearly in Sub-Saharan Africa including South Sudan, with a mortality
rate ranging between 50% and 100% the conflict between crocodiles and human population residing along the River Nile, Sudd wetlands and Lakes ecosystems in South Sudan is not well understood so far. For instance, the livelihoods of the fisherfolk and riverine communities depend entirely from acquiring resources from the Sudd Wetlands ecosystem. While acquiring these resources, the fisher-folks and the riverine communities create disturbance to the crocodile habitats/life including gathering crocodile eggs in the nesting ground that leads to the major conflicts between crocodiles and human.
As results of crocodiles attacks to the human and livestock in the area, the species is subjected under threat from the local fishers and riverine communities in South Sudan due to conflict situation where the predation of livestock and human often occurred. The multitude of the threats is very a serious concern that require intervention as well the monitoring the population of Nile Crocodile especially in the Southern Zone of Sudd wetlands is necessary to evaluate the trend of this species. Furthermore, lack of systematic data collection on crocodile attacks on livestock and human demographic data is crucial to support conservation and management of the species.
Goal and objective
Overall goal is to enhance the knowledge of crocodile-human conflicts in South Sudan.
The specific objective of this project aims
(a) To examine the major causes for human-crocodiles conflicts and the mitigate strategies.
(b) To examine the attitude and perception of local communities towards Nile Crocodiles.
(c) To examine the local knowledge of Nile Crocodile breeding/biology in the area.
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