Education Assistance Cohabitation

Crocodilians inhabit a wide range of territory across much of equatorial earth in both fresh and salt water. Rivers, marshes, lakes and even the open ocean. Many people in developing nations depend on such areas for their livelihood, areas which crocodiles already inhabit. As such, human/crocodile conflicts (HCC) do occur. The side effects of high human demography & poachings have taken their toll on crocodiles; while crocodiles, being an opportunistic apex predator, will occasionally attack humans. The Crocodile Foundation voluntarily assists developing nations in helping to reduce their HCC numbers in areas where crocodile education, establishment of safety measures and assistance programs are unavailable or ineffective.

Reasons for crocodile attacks/bite incidents

Hunting for food: Crocodilians are opportunistic feeders and humans are in the size range of prey that can be taken by larger crocodilians.

Defense of territory: Some species are highly territorial and will defend their territory against intruders, including humans.

Defense of nest and/or young: Crocodilians will defend their nests from other predators. They also respond to distress calls (vocalizations) made by their young and may attack humans near hatchlings.

Mistaken identity: Some attacks might be directed at pets and people may be either injured/killed by mistake or when when trying to intervene. Fishermen checking nets, cleaning fish, or divers with fish kills may also be mistakenly attacked by crocodilians attracted to the fish.

Self-defense: Like most wild animals, crocodilians will defend themselves if provoked.

Attacks on humans are higher in regions where the population uses rivers and lakes as their primary water source for survival.

Loss of territory and the human demography amplify the human/crocodile possibility of conflict.

Out of the 26 species of crocodiles; the nile crocodile (crocodylus niloticus) in Africa, the saltwater crocodile (crocodylus porosus) in South East Asia and Australia, India’s mugger crocodile (crocodylus palustris) & the american crocodile (crocodylus acutus) in Central & South America have the highest number of recorded attacks on humans. Even though most crocodilians have the potential to attack humans; diet, size and aggressiveness are just a few factors that may or may not outline an attack.

Africa’s largest crocodile, the nile, historically had a widespread range throughout the continent. Now extinct in several regions due to human activity, this animal currently resides in 26 different African countries.

It is estimated that each year hundreds of people die from nile crocodile attacks in Africa. This aggressive species is believed to be responsible for a considerably greater number of fatal attacks on humans than saltwater crocodiles, statistically making the nile crocodile the most prolific predator of humans among wild animals. This may have more to do with the fact that many people in Africa tend to rely on crocodile riparian habitat for their livelihood, which is less prevalent in most of Asia and certainly less so in Australia.

Many of these attacks are never reported in the media. Without an accurate reporting system in place, crocodile attacks in Africa are difficult to track.

Many developing countries throughout Africa do not have crocodile outreach & safety programs set in place. That’s where The Crocodile Foundation steps in.

Indonesia

At 273 million people, Indonesia is the fourth most populated country in the world. With a total coastline of 34,000 miles from 17,508 islands, it is 65% water and with a crocodile species on the rebound, this contributes to several human/crocodile conflicts. To date, Indonesia has more yearly crocodile attacks on humans than any other country in the world.

101

number of reported crocodile attacks in

Indonesia in 2019

Coastal, river and lake inhabitants abound throughout Mexico, Central & South America which places them directly into crocodile established territory where both attacks and poachings are not uncommon.

The second most populated country in the world, many Indians live side by side with crocodiles. In comparison to many other countries, India has seen minimal attacks on humans.