Synthesizing Nile crocodile Crocodylus niloticus attack data and historical context to inform mitigation efforts in South Africa and eSwatini (Swaziland)

While damage-causing animals are a major challenge for conservation across Africa, and Nile crocodiles are allegedly responsible for more attacks on humans than any other species, data is lacking. This paper analyses 67 years of reported Nile crocodile attacks on humans in South Africa and eSwatini (1949-2016), identifying patterns in attack incidence in space and time, as well as victim demographics. Our literature review and archival searches identified records of 214 attacks. Most attacks occurred in natural water bodies, with attacks in dams increasing since 2000. Hotspots for attacks are identified. Most victims were attacked while swimming or bathing, followed by fishing, domestic chores, and crossing waterways. There was a significant relationship between gender and activity when attacked. Children (<16) account for 51% of all attacks, with a higher fatality rate compared to adults. Most victims were male (65%), with teenage boys the largest individual category. We conclude with recommendations for conservation policy and management to mitigate attacks by Nile crocodiles

Temporal variation in black-caiman-nest predation in varzea of central Brazilian amazonia

On the Amazon floodplain, the main predators of black caiman (Melanosuchus niger) eggs are jaguars (Panthera onca), tegu lizards (Tupinambis teguixim), capuchin monkeys (Sapajus macrocephalus) and humans (Homo sapiens). In this study, we investigated the relationship between predator attacks on nests and incubation period, and evaluated the influence of initial predation on subsequent predation in the Mamirauá Sustainable Development Reserve. We also evaluated the influence of presence of females near the nests and manipulation of nests on the occurrence of attacks. We compared results from data obtained with camera traps and vestiges left by predators on estimates of rates of predation by different predators. Egg predation was recorded in 32% of the 658 black caiman nests monitored during two years. Our results suggest that the probability of predation on black caiman eggs is relatively constant throughout the incubation period and that predation on eggs was lower when adults, presumably females, were present. Careful opening of nests and handling of eggs did not increase the number of attacks on black caiman nests. Nest opening by a predator appeared to increase the chances of a subsequent attack because most of the attacks on nests occurred soon after a predator first opened the nest. However, attacks by another species of predator do not appear to be necessary to initiate attacks by any other species of predator. Results based on camera traps and vestiges differed, but use of vestiges was adequate for identifying the principal predators on eggs in black caiman nests and, in many circumstances, the vestiges may be better for estimating predation by humans. In this study, opening nests and handling eggs did not increase the number of attacks on black caiman nests. © 2017 Torralvo et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited