Climate change drives crocodile attacks, ministry warns

Crocodile attacks along Namibia’s northern rivers could increase as climate pressures disrupt natural food sources.

The warning comes from the environment ministry, which links recent incidents to environmental stress and rising competition among wildlife.

Ministry spokesperson Vilho Hangula said changing conditions are affecting crocodile behaviour, pushing the predators into closer contact with humans.

“Because of climate change, the food for crocodiles and their population is affected. They are hungry in the river, and sometimes they might pounce and try to feed on human beings,” Hangula said.

The warning comes amid a series of attacks in riverine communities, particularly in Kavango regions, where several people have been injured and, in some cases, killed.

These incidents have reignited concerns over human-wildlife conflict and highlighted the vulnerability of communities that rely on rivers for water, fishing and other daily activities. Many residents have limited alternatives, making interactions with dangerous wildlife almost inevitable.

Hunger-driven attacks

Hangula explained that crocodiles are highly territorial animals whose behaviour can change dramatically when their natural food sources diminish.

Environmental pressures, such as droughts, fluctuating river levels and the effects of climate change, can increase competition among predators. This, in turn, can lead to more frequent attacks on humans, particularly in areas where people and crocodiles share the same space.

The ministry is preparing renewed awareness campaigns to engage communities directly, sensitising residents to the dangers and promoting safer practices along the river.

Hangula said the ministry is working closely with communities to avoid high-risk "hotspots" and become more cautious.

He added that traditional measures, such as cordoning off specific areas with thorns to limit water collection points, could be revived but emphasised that these interventions would be implemented with the community’s cooperation rather than imposed.

Helping victims

While prevention remains the priority, Hangula clarified government responses to attacks.

He stressed that victims are not “compensated” in the usual sense but may receive a financial “offset” under the human-wildlife conflict policy.

The policy states that a person who loses a body part may be entitled to around N$50 000, while the family of a deceased victim could receive approximately N$100 000 to assist with burial and related costs. “You cannot really compensate a body part. What value do you put on it?” Hangula said.

However, these payments are not automatic.

Each case must undergo investigations by both the police and regional ministry officials, with documentation reviewed by a panel that sits once a month. This process ensures that claims are thoroughly evaluated, but it can also lead to delays, particularly when documentation is incomplete or when investigations take longer than expected. Claims may be denied if negligence is determined, such as repeatedly ignoring warnings about crocodile-infested waters or engaging in unsafe practices despite public advisories.

Hangula emphasised that negligence is assessed on a case-by-case basis. “For instance, if a person is fetching water in a normal way and gets attacked, that is not negligence and the policy allows for an offset,” he said.

“But if someone keeps swimming or bathing in the river despite repeated warnings, that case may not qualify. Each situation is carefully reviewed.”

He added that the ministry also considers the broader context of human activity and environmental pressures. “We have to understand why people are in the river in the first place. Sometimes it is necessity, not recklessness, and that matters in our assessment.”

Devastation amid climate change

The ministry’s warnings highlight the growing challenge posed by human-wildlife conflict in the context of climate change.

As ecological pressures mount and natural food sources fluctuate, communities along Namibia’s rivers face increasing risks.

Two weeks ago, a 69-year-old man lost his arm to a crocodile attack; in January, a nine-year-old girl was killed by a crocodile at Mazwa village; and late last year, a mother lost her nine-month-old baby while washing clothes in the river. Access to water remains a driving force behind these accidents, as many villages rely on the river for survival.

Hangula also emphasised the importance of community engagement in addressing the problem.

“We are not here to punish anyone,” he said. “Our goal is to work with people, educate them and implement practical measures that allow humans and wildlife to coexist safely. Climate change is creating new challenges, but together we can reduce the number of attacks and protect lives.”