A review of the conservation status of the Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus Laurenti, 1768) in aquatic systems of Zimbabwe
Nile crocodile survival is threatened by water pollution, habitat loss, extensive water abstraction for irrigation, domestic use and industrial development and overexploitation of fisheries resources in water systems in Zimbabwe. This review assessed the abundance, distribution and population trends...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2021-09-01
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| Series: | Global Ecology and Conservation |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2351989421002936 |
| _version_ | 1818646611185631232 |
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| author | Beaven Utete |
| author_facet | Beaven Utete |
| author_sort | Beaven Utete |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Nile crocodile survival is threatened by water pollution, habitat loss, extensive water abstraction for irrigation, domestic use and industrial development and overexploitation of fisheries resources in water systems in Zimbabwe. This review assessed the abundance, distribution and population trends of Nile crocodiles (Crocodylus niloticus Laurent, 1768), and explored the effects of ranching, trophy hunting and human-crocodile conflicts (HCC) on its conservation status in water systems of Zimbabwe. Scoping reviews of available literature and analysis of recurrent themes indicated that crocodile censuses were concentrated in the warmer northern and southern parts of the country. Ranching and trophy hunting have contributed to the increases in crocodile populations. Human encroachment and wetland degradation have increased HCC in fringe communities proximate to protected areas consequently inducing negative perceptions and hurt-rage which threatens crocodile populations. Overall, there is an increase in crocodile populations in sampled areas. Nonetheless, there is a need to assess the abundance, distribution and population trends, and delineate hotspots of suitable habitats and contextual challenges in less sampled areas before stating the national crocodile population estimate. Implementing astute crocodile conservation efforts involving locals is key in HCC mitigation. However, it implores the need for development of pro human-crocodile co-existence and circumstantial HCC resolution policies. For posterity, the conservation status of crocodiles in Zimbabwe should be ascribed as Vulnerable or Near Threatened rather than the current Least Concern or Low Risk status. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-17T00:49:23Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-bc650211b13b42459fa64a2f26963e09 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2351-9894 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-17T00:49:23Z |
| publishDate | 2021-09-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Global Ecology and Conservation |
| spelling | doaj.art-bc650211b13b42459fa64a2f26963e092022-12-21T22:09:48ZengElsevierGlobal Ecology and Conservation2351-98942021-09-0129e01743A review of the conservation status of the Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus Laurenti, 1768) in aquatic systems of ZimbabweBeaven Utete0Chinhoyi University of Technology, Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, P. Bag 7724, Chinhoyi, Zimbabwe; Department of Aquaculture and Fisheries Management, University of Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria; Corresponding address: Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, Chinhoyi University of Technology, P. Bag 7724 Off Harare, Chirundu Road, Chinhoyi, Zimbabwe.Nile crocodile survival is threatened by water pollution, habitat loss, extensive water abstraction for irrigation, domestic use and industrial development and overexploitation of fisheries resources in water systems in Zimbabwe. This review assessed the abundance, distribution and population trends of Nile crocodiles (Crocodylus niloticus Laurent, 1768), and explored the effects of ranching, trophy hunting and human-crocodile conflicts (HCC) on its conservation status in water systems of Zimbabwe. Scoping reviews of available literature and analysis of recurrent themes indicated that crocodile censuses were concentrated in the warmer northern and southern parts of the country. Ranching and trophy hunting have contributed to the increases in crocodile populations. Human encroachment and wetland degradation have increased HCC in fringe communities proximate to protected areas consequently inducing negative perceptions and hurt-rage which threatens crocodile populations. Overall, there is an increase in crocodile populations in sampled areas. Nonetheless, there is a need to assess the abundance, distribution and population trends, and delineate hotspots of suitable habitats and contextual challenges in less sampled areas before stating the national crocodile population estimate. Implementing astute crocodile conservation efforts involving locals is key in HCC mitigation. However, it implores the need for development of pro human-crocodile co-existence and circumstantial HCC resolution policies. For posterity, the conservation status of crocodiles in Zimbabwe should be ascribed as Vulnerable or Near Threatened rather than the current Least Concern or Low Risk status.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2351989421002936Freshwater systemsCrocodile ranchingPopulation estimateRetributionConflict resolutionSustainability |
| spellingShingle | Beaven Utete A review of the conservation status of the Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus Laurenti, 1768) in aquatic systems of Zimbabwe Global Ecology and Conservation Freshwater systems Crocodile ranching Population estimate Retribution Conflict resolution Sustainability |
| title | A review of the conservation status of the Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus Laurenti, 1768) in aquatic systems of Zimbabwe |
| title_full | A review of the conservation status of the Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus Laurenti, 1768) in aquatic systems of Zimbabwe |
| title_fullStr | A review of the conservation status of the Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus Laurenti, 1768) in aquatic systems of Zimbabwe |
| title_full_unstemmed | A review of the conservation status of the Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus Laurenti, 1768) in aquatic systems of Zimbabwe |
| title_short | A review of the conservation status of the Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus Laurenti, 1768) in aquatic systems of Zimbabwe |
| title_sort | review of the conservation status of the nile crocodile crocodylus niloticus laurenti 1768 in aquatic systems of zimbabwe |
| topic | Freshwater systems Crocodile ranching Population estimate Retribution Conflict resolution Sustainability |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2351989421002936 |
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