Mozambique to Collect Crocodile Eggs

{{The Mozambican authorities are collecting crocodile eggs along the Zambezi valley in central part of the country as a way to fight wildlife over-population and human casualties caused by animal attacks.}}

The Ministry of Agriculture said Wednesday that 100,000 croc eggs will be collected along the valley until the end of the year, in a framework of what the authorities describe as “Men-Animals- Conflict”.

Crocodiles, elephants, hippos and hyenas cause most of the human casualties linked to animal attacks.

Last year alone, more than seventy people were killed by the wild animals in the north-western province of Tete. The crocs find their prays when they are fetching water in the rivers.

The ministry said five local companies will be involved in the operation to collect croc eggs along the Zambezi valley, where more cases of croc attacks were reported.

The provinces of Tete, Sofala and Zambezia are located along the valley. In Tete for instance, apart from reducing the “Men-Animal- Conflict”, the operation is also aimed at controlling the reproduction of the crocodiles.

Head of the provincial directorate of forestry and wildlife, Carlos Zacarias, said that the operation will take place in the districts of Mágoe, Zumbo, Cahora Bassa, Moatize, Mutarara and around Tete city.

In Tete city, the provincial government has built a fence to protect people from being attacked by the dangerous wild animals.

The planting of chilli trees is also one of the ways to fight against wild animals. According to agronomists, the smell of chilli is deterrent to mammals.

The government also is speeding the process of digging wells in the rural areas to provide clean drinking water to the population, and prevent them from fetching water from the rivers.

{NMG}