Browsing by Author "Mbangwa, Obed Festo"

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The local communities and nile crocodile in lake Rukwa southern Tanzania: can they co-exist?
(Agricultural University of Norway, 2002-06) Mbangwa, Obed Festo
Most local communities affected by problem animals are those in proximity to protected areas, lakes and rivers. Conflict exists between local communities living adjacent to Lake Rukwa and Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus) in the lake. The objective of this study was to examine the nature and extent of conflict between local people and crocodile in Lake Rukwa. The major activities causing conflict were identified, the number of people and livestock killed by crocodile and number of crocodile killed were quantified. The attitude and perceptions of local communities towards crocodiles were also examined. This study was conducted from August to November 2001 in local communities living adjacent to Lake Rukwa in southern Tanzania. Four villages and four fishing camps were surveyed with structured questionnaire. They were: Mtowisa, Uzia, Muze, Kalumbeleza, Malangali, Kichangani, Kwa Haule and Mtakuja respectively. Questionnaires were administered to 208 households, as well as District Game Officers, Fisheries Officers and crocodile ranchers. The Rukwa Game Reserve staff, key informants, hunting company and village leaders were also consulted. Secondary information was collected from libraries, local, regional and state archives. Fishing activity in Lake Rukwa was shown to be a major cause of conflict between local people living adjacent to the Lake and crocodiles. Most damages to human life and peoples ’ property occurred during fishing (85%). Damage to fishing nets (38%), competition for fish (31%) and killing/wounding people (16%) were the most serious problems mentioned and are suggested here as the main sources of the existing conflict between local people and crocodiles in Lake Rukwa. The results reveal no significant relationships between number of people killed/wounded and crocodiles killed /wounded in defence. More people were killed than crocodiles killed in defence during the period of 1996-2001. In the study area, an average of 11 people were killed or wounded by crocodiles each year during the period of 1996-2001, but less than an average offour people per year were reported to the District Game officers. The results also show that data on number of people, livestock and crocodiles killed or wounded in the study area held by Wildlife Division headquarters are far less than those revealed by both survey and interviews of District Game Officers and of data collected from local people. The difference in records is believed to be due to the difficult in reporting and poor response by the wildlife authority; both problems reflecting the remoteness of the areas. The majority of respondents perceived wildlife as a source of benefit to the nation but not to themselves (66%). They perceived the government, the wildlife management authority and foreign tourists as the principle beneficiaries of wildlife. They complained that government officials do not visit them, solve their problems or explain to them the benefits of wildlife. However, the hunting company and ranchers reported benefiting from crocodiles. It has been proposed by this study that Lake Rukwa continue as a multiple land use area. Ongoing activities such as hunting and fishing could then continue. However, in order to meet the dual objectives of the state of both conserving wildlife and enhancing local livelihoods these activities must be carried out at a level that ensures a sustainable population of crocodile. Local people should also benefit directly from conservation of crocodile in Lake Rukwa. The present set up of channelling back 25% of the revenue accruedfrom tourist hunting to the local communities does not seem to be reaching the target group and may not be adequate. It is suggested that mechanisms be introduced and monitored to ensure that the benefits reach the affected local people and directly offset wildlife costs incurred on local communities. It is also suggested that locals actively participate in management of crocodiles.