UWA maps out crocodile areas

Rubirizi. Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) has mapped a crocodiles’ territory in order to capture them easily following cases of the reptiles attacking residents in areas neigbouring lakes George and Edward as well as Kazinga Channel.
“We have decided to take the geographical physical surveys of all crocodile locations on Lake George so that our capturing team is able to trace them easily and faster in case there is need to relocate one,” the manager of Queen Elizabeth protected area, Mr Nelson Guma, said on Sunday after UWA captured another 50-year-old crocodile.
Mr Guma said UWA had identified some islands on Lake George believed to be territories of crocodiles and breeding zones for fish in Katunguru Sub-county, Rubirizi District.
“We have identified Hakika, Omuisiti, Omuhweru, Kanyamurwa and Omukambusa among other islands that are habitants of crocodiles,” he said.
The wildlife official said four crocodiles have been captured since December 2014 and relocated to Kibwera Crater Lake inside Queen Elizabeth park for proper management.
Four people at Kashaka Landing Site have lost lives to crocodiles in the recent past.
According to Mr Guma, UWA has established a 20-man crocodile squad that is undergoing training to capture the reptiles.
Mr Guma said the wildlife agency would train some community members to assist UWA rangers in the operation and they are to be taken to Lake Mburo National Park for more experience about crocodile capture.

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