Original Research Article I Volume 11 I Issue 2 I 2023

Crocodile ecology, conservation and Management in the Ruzizi Delta, Northern End of Lake Tanganyika, in Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo

Bashonga Bishobibiri Alexis; Eric Sande; Gaspard Ntakimazi

Biolife, Volume 11, Issue 2, 2023, pp 93-114

DOI:https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.8001787

Abstract:

Crocodile’s ecology, conservation and management in the Ruzizi Delta were investigated during the period from April 2019 to April 2021 by interviews using a survey questionnaire, and by direct observation using binoculars during the day, and at night on the secure coastline of Lake Tanganyika between the mouth of the Small Ruzizi River and the mouth of the Kalimabenge River. The investigations were part of a doctoral research aimed at the creation of a Community Reserve in the Ruzizi Congolese Delta and at the conditions improvement for birds, crocodiles and lasting biodiversity conservation in the Rusizi Burundian Delta. The average density of the Nile crocodile, Crocodylus niloticus (Laurenti, 1768) was higher in the protected Rusizi Burundian Delta (19 crocodiles/ km2) and lower in the unprotected Ruzizi Congolese Delta (6 crocodiles/ km2). Similarly, the density of the Slender-snouted Crocodile (Mecistops leptorhynchus) was higher in the protected Rusizi Burundian Delta (40 crocodiles/ km2) and lower in the unprotected Ruzizi Congolese Delta (11 crocodiles/ km2). The Ruzizi Congolese wetland stakeholders accepted (90%) the protection of the Ruzizi Congolese wetlands as a Ruzizi Congolese Community Reserve to be submitted later to the Ramsar Secretariat for designation as a Ruzizi Congolese Ramsar Site. The sustainable management of crocodiles and biodiversity will require the formulation of joint conservation projects by the Authorities of the Ruzizi Congolese Delta and the Rusizi Burundian Delta.

Keywords:

Crocodile’s Ecology; Conservation and Management; Ruzizi Congolese Delta; Rusizi Burundian Delta; Crocodile’s density.

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Article Dates:

Received: 12 April 2023; Accepted: 30 May 2023; Published online: 3 June, 2023

How To Cite:

Bashonga Bishobibiri Alexis, Eric Sande, & Gaspard Ntakimazi. (2023). Crocodile ecology, conservation and Management in the Ruzizi Delta, Northern End of Lake Tanganyika, in Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Biolife, 11(02), 93–114. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.8001787

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