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Fear As Croc Finds Home Behind Pub
4 November 2011



Dar es Salaam — A crocodile has found home in the most unlikely place - the backyard of a popular drinking and "nyama choma" joint Dar es Salaam city suburb.

Some residents of Ada Estate in Kinondoni municipality who say they are used to seeing the crocodile in their vicinity over the last two years are, however, raising the alarm as the predator is gaining in size.They now want wildlife authorities to help capture the reptile from a disused pond situated not very far from the Best Bite eatery along Ali Hassan Mwinyi Road.

It is unclear how this bizarre neighbour landed at the Ada Estate area, but it continues to enjoy the serene waters of the pond that is completely covered by some type of hyacinth.

While there have not been reports of attacks on people or domestic animals by the crocodile that was first spotted in 2009, Mr Juma Mohammed who is a resident of the area feels that safety cannot be guaranteed for ever.

"We are apprehensive because the animal is growing very fast and we are not sure if it won't start looking for food outside the pond. We have since reported the matter to the municipal council," said Mr Mohammed who is the manager at the Kibo Bar that is separated from the pond by a perimeter fence.

He told The Citizen on Saturday that he had raised the issue after some patrons who spotted the crocodile sunbathe said they felt intimidated. His concern now is that it could scare away patrons and affect his bar business.

It is believed that the beast feeds on the mudfish that are in ample supply in the pond. Some youth who used to come fishing at the pond are no longer keen on the hobby for fear of a fatal encounter with the carnivorous reptile.

"I used to fish in this pond but after I saw the crocodile last year, I have never come close to the bank of the pond. It emerges occasionally during morning hours and then disappears into the water," said 20 year-old Issa Athumani.

Some residents of the neighbourhood said an officer from the Kinondoni District Wildlife and Forestry office, only named as Mr Shirima, attempted to allay their fears at one time when he inspected the area.

According to the residents, Mr Shirima assured them that the crocodile was not yet a threat to the people, based on his analysis of its age and the fact that there was plenty of fish for its food in the pond. "Mr Shirima said we should calm down as he would let us know when the animal develops to a life-threatening stage" said Mr Athumani.

But efforts by The Citizen on Saturday for the last two weeks to get a word from Mr Shirima at his Mwananyamala office and Kinondoni municipality in Magomeni, have been futile.

The official has been hard to get. Visits to his office and calls on his mobile phone have not helped either. On Thursday when he finally spoke, he said he did not know about the existence of the free-roaming crocodile in the said residential area.

Attempts to get comments from the ministry of Tourism and Natural Resources were also futile as a senior official said such matters as the crocodile which he referred to as "stray", were best handled at the district level. He directed this reporter to consult with the district wildlife authorities.


In the absence of explanations by the professionals, the residents have themselves speculated on the origin of the reptile usually found in the deepwater rivers in the wild and in game reserves. Some people keep crocodiles as domestic animals, but that has to be approved by wildlife authorities.

According to Mr Mohammed, there are two theories on how the reptile could have found its way into the area: some suspect a tour company is responsible while others attribute it to an underground drainage.

They said a tourist safari company which had offices in a house bordering the pond in the past could have brought the crocodile. "Some people say the tourists would collect eggs in the wilderness and bring them along to the city. Maybe they forgot one that hatched into the crocodile that slipped into the pond," narrated Johannes Bigarubi, a hawker.

How big is it?

quote:

Best Bite eatery

Anybody else think that's funny?

Dear Kathi

Sounds like a great wife keep away tool.

Just need to train it to open beer can's and clean the food plates.

Regards Mark

I know that pond and it is indeed a stone's throw from the 'Best Bite Restaurant', is also pretty well stocked with Catfish and Tilapia (Bream) so the croc (if it is a croc and not a large monitor lizard),is well fed.

Sounds like it would attract more business than drive it away. But eventually someone will get gobbled up by it . . . .