Paulus Kiiyala Shiku

Decades of folklore about a crocodile lurking in Etaka lake in Omusati region were finally confirmed last week after members of the community sighted a crocodile in the lake.

The sighting set tongues wagging, with some residents already christening the crocodile as ‘Gustave’, from the notorious Nile River crocodile which was infamous for its appetite for human beings. 

Gustave roamed the Ruzizi River and the northern shores of Lake Tanganyika in Burundi. The reptile is rumoured to have killed as many as between 200 and 300 people. 

The crocodile in Etaka, suspected to measure about 1.60m, was spotted sunbathing on an island near Oshihau distribution dam on Friday. Although there is still no report of it preying on animals or humans, the community of Onesi constituency – especially those living near the lake – have called for its head without mercy.

“It must be removed or killed. If they are unable to do so they must tell us and we will do it ourselves. We can’t have it there, it will kill a human being one day, guaranteed,” said community member Andreas Nguti Ashimbanga, when approached for comment on Wednesday.

Ashimbanga said the crocodile must be taken to a place where it cannot be a threat to humans.

He added that those who think it should be used for tourism and education purposes should ensure it is relocated to a safe environment where humans are able to see it safely.

Another resident, Stephanus Malakia Eelu also said the crocodile must be removed.

He is of the opinion that if it should be kept for educational and tourism purposes, it should be put in a cage.

Onesi councillor Festus Petrus said he spotted the crocodile on the day, he was working on a fence for his garden near the dam when a young man came running to tell him he had seen a crocodile.

Festus rushed to the dam and also saw the crocodile. The councillor said he cautiously moved closer and took videos and pictures of the reptile with his phone, before it disappeared under the weeds in the water when it saw them. 

The councillor said he immediately contacted the Namibian Police and the Ministry of Environment and Tourism, to inform them of the sighting.

He said the two institutions responded promptly with the aim to capture and relocate the reptile. Their first attempt to catch the reptile with a net failed because they intended to capture the crocodile when it came out to sunbathe. That did not happen.

The next day, a second attempt was put in motion where they threw hooks with meat as bait into the water.

When they returned the following day, ‘Gustave’ did not bite either.

The politician cautioned the community to stay away from the area and not disturb efforts to capture the reptile.

Petrus said the authorities respect the sanctity of human life and agree that the crocodile must be moved.

“Human lives are top priority, and we cannot keep anything that endangers our lives, it must be taken to a place reserved for such dangerous creatures. Etaka is not such a place,” he said.

Asked on the matter on Wednesday, environment ministry spokesperson Romeo Muyunda said ‘Gustave’ will not be shot.

“It will not be put down; we will find a safe way to relocate it. At the moment the risk is minimal as we suspect it does not prey on humans or animals as it is not accustomed to meat, only feeding on fish. It is also a juvenile reptile which should be given a chance to survive and grow,” Muyunda clarified.

He said considering that the net and hooks plans failed, the ministry may borrow equipment from their office in Kavango region to capture and relocate the reptile.

Muyunda suspects that ‘Gustave’ entered Etaka through the canal that brings in water from Angola.

He said the crocodile, which they are still to determine whether it is male or female, will possibly be relocated to Kunene River.

Research suggest that female crocodiles can lay fertile eggs that will hatch even if they did not mate with a male. -pshiku@nepc.com.na