Iringa. A total of 17 crocodiles have been caught at Mtera Dam following concerns about the threat posed by the reptiles.People living near the facility last week asked the government to act after crocodiles and hippos killed and injured several people at the dam in recent weeks. They said those injured included 14 fishermen who depended on the dam for their livelihood.
Police said recently that crocodiles and hippos killed 36 people and injured 34 others in the area in the past year.
The district wildlife officer, Ms Rachel Nhambu, said the government had embarked on an operation to reduce the crocodile population at the dam because the reptiles were a serious threat to local residents, especially those who draw water from the dam and fish at the facility.
“It’s true that crocodile and hippo populations have grown rapidly in recent years to the extent of posing a serious threat to people. That is why we have decided to act. Seventeen crocodiles have so far been removed from the dam,” she said.
Ms Nhambu said the goal was to catch 40 crocodiles before the end of the year, adding that the Natural Resources and Tourism ministry was looking into the possibility of compensating those injured by crocodiles and hippos.