A Study on Crocodile Behavior (Crocodylus palustris) and Public Value Orientation in Ethimale of Monaragala District
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Date
2015
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Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka
Abstract
Mugger crocodile (Crocodylus palustris) is principally restricted to Indian subcontinent and
the highest number is recorded in Sri Lanka (Da Silva and Lenin, 2010). Crocodylus palustris
is categorized as a vulnerable species in IUCN red list (2011). Furthermore, due to destruction
of their natural habitats, illegal hunting, fishing activities and crocodile attacks during sand
mining, bathing and washing, there is an emergence of this interaction as a human-crocodile
conflict. Though the existence of considerable number of C. palustris is recorded in Uva less
literature is available on their status in Uva Province of Sri Lanka. Therefore, this study was
conducted to understand people’s attitudes, risks, believes and practices towards human
crocodile conflict and to study the behavior of crocodile in Ethimale area.
Methodology
The study was conducted in villages surrounding eight perennial and seasonal tanks (Doser
tank, Wattarama tank, Kotiyagala tank, Heekaduwa tank 1 and 2, Karadandara tank,
Karakolagaswewa tank and Vila oya) at Ethimale of Monaragala district from May to August
2014. Ninety four individuals were interviewed using a pre-tested structured questionnaire
including farmers, fishermen and villagers to determine their awareness, knowledge,
practices, believes and attitudes regarding C. palustris. The information on purpose, frequency
and duration of water body usage by the villages, crocodile population, their approximate
size, migration and their availability throughout the year in the area was gathered through the
questionnaire. Moreover, the practices of the people and attitudes regarding crocodiles were
identified by gathering information on crocodile attacks, financial damages, people’s reaction
when seen crocodiles, offending actions, benefits/uses of crocodiles and threats face by
crocodiles. Presence of fecal pellets, footprints, smashed vegetation and cleared basking areas
were observed to study the migration and basking behavior. Data analysis was carried out by
Microsoft Excel and map was created using ArcGIS software including crocodile migration
paths.
Results and Discussion
Awareness of the people
The main water sources of Ethimale were tanks and Vila oya. Therefore, around 97% of the
respondents used tanks for their needs daily. Moreover, most of households are by or close to
the tanks which explains their close relation with the crocodiles.
Knowledge of the people regarding crocodiles
Sixty eight percent of the respondents considered that crocodiles were useful and 32% of
respondents believed that crocodiles were not useful or did not know the ecological roles
played by the crocodiles. According to them, consumption of crocodile meat and egg are the
major uses. Around 53% of the respondents have eaten crocodile meat while 5.3% have
consumed crocodile eggs. Though few had heard the uses of crocodile hide they have not done
any hide processing.
Though the respondents have seen crocodiles throughout the day, crocodiles were common
on tank sides especially in the morning (6.00 to 8.00 a.m.) and evening (5.30 to 7.00 p.m.).
Based on the observations of the respondents, highest crocodile number was reported from
Kotiyagala tank (20 to 25), followed by Heekaduwa tank-1 (15 to 20) and Heekaduwa tank-2
(10 to 15). Regarding the approximate length of the largest crocodile seen by the respondents,
majority (62%) of has seen largest crocodile in between 2-3 m in length.
Nesting season, i.e., from June to August of Crocodylus palustris coincides with the dry
season in Monaragala (June to September) (Department of meteorology statistics, 2014).
Therefore, the hatching of eggs takes place with the beginning of the rainy season. Around
45% of the respondents have seen crocodile nesting sites at tank bunds, Vila oya sides, canal
sides, Vila oya anicut and jungle area which close to tanks.However, 11% of respondents have
seen Water Monitors (Varanus salvator) and Land Monitor (Varanus bengalensis) as main
predators of crocodile eggs.
Among the crocodile deaths observed by the respondents, most of the recorded crocodile
deaths were due to human actions such as shooting and hitting when the crocodiles attack to
the fishing nets (Specially for hatchlings). Two crocodile attacks to the fishermen while
fishing were reported. However, 37% of the respondents have faced some financial damages
from the crocodiles as damage to livestock (especially to calves) (37%), loss of fish yield
(29%), fish net damage and damage to pet animals. Among them damage to livestock and
damage to net and loss of fish yield were common. Moreover, threat from crocodiles was
reported as one reason to refrain youngsters from fishery.
Attitudes regarding crocodiles
Though 77% of the respondents have agreed that the crocodiles have become threat to fishery
or daily uses of the water body, 73% of the respondents still believe that conservation
programs for crocodiles are essential, since they believe that the number of crocodiles are
depleting annually. Moreover, they have suggested translocation of crocodiles (to large tanks,
national parks and zoo) and ecotourism to minimize the human crocodile conflict may be due
to the ethical reasons since all the respondents are Buddhists.
Crocodile migration and basking behavior
Crocodiles were migrated during the dry season and they were returned to their original
habitats at the beginning of the rainy season. Therefore, crocodile migration was highest
during August where all most all the seasonal tanks were dried and low water level was
observed in perennial tanks. With the beginning of rainy season in September, crocodiles were
returned to their original habitats. Crocodiles were basked commonly during 6.00 am to 9.30 am under direct sun light (average
33°C daily temperature) in open areas such as dead trees in water, on the Vila oya river bank,
tank sides/bund and surrounding rocks. With the high day time temperature, they were moved
to the tank bottom and come to the top only for breathing meanwhile some crocodiles were
moved to burrows.
Recommendations to solve human crocodile conflict and conservation
To minimize human-crocodile conflict conducting awareness program to villagers including
conservation and laws related, installation and maintenance of crocodile excluding areas at
bathing places, installing warning sign boards and translocation of crocodiles which trap to
fish nets can be done. The crocodile conservation can be done to some extent by sharing
conservation and management responsibility among local community. The crocodiles can be
an attraction of visitors and create employment opportunities for the local community. Eco-
tourism may be a good solution for involving people with their traditional knowledge about
crocodile conservation and will be helpful to uplift the local socio-economic conditions. Other
than eco-tourism, protection of nesting habitats, initiation of crocodile parks or sanctuary,
conservation education and public awareness also can be practiced.
Conclusion
Majority of the villagers have sound knowledge regarding crocodile population, behavior,
migration patterns and availability. Since almost all the people were engaged with the tanks
for their daily needs and majority was farmers and fishermen. Though there are several
livestock attacks and economic losses from crocodiles no fatal attacks recorded to people.
Therefore, majority of the people in Ethimale was having a positive attitudes regarding
conservation of crocodiles.
Description
Keywords
Animal Sciences, Veterinary Sciences, Biodiversity, Biodiversity – Sri Lanka