KALANGALA, Uganda | The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) has successfully captured and relocated a large Nile crocodile that killed a fisherman and had been terrorizing residents of Buyange Fishing Village on Kalangala Island. The reptile had reportedly been attacking boats and swimmers for weeks, creating fear among the local community.
The relocation was carried out by UWA’s Problem Animal Management Unit in collaboration with French wildlife filmmaker Jérôme Delafosse. The crocodile was transported to Murchison Falls National Park, where it will be released into a secure section of the Nile River, minimizing the risk of future human-wildlife conflict.
Crocodile attacks remain a significant danger in Uganda, particularly around bodies of water such as Lake Victoria, Lake Kyoga, and Lake Albert, with UWA reporting between 30 and 40 fatalities annually. Officials emphasized that relocations and awareness campaigns are critical to protecting both communities and wildlife while reducing unnecessary fatalities.
The successful operation has brought relief to island residents, who had lived in fear of the aggressive crocodile. UWA continues to engage local communities in education programs on safety measures and coexistence strategies to prevent future incidents, highlighting the ongoing challenge of human-wildlife interactions in areas where natural habitats overlap with human activity.