Don't allow culling of crocodiles in Andamans and Nicobar islands: Animal body

Allowing culling of saltwater crocodiles may set a "dangerous" precedent, an animal protection body today said amid reports that the Andaman and Nicobar islands administration has sought temporary removal of the 'salties' from the list of endangered species, which could potentially lead to its culling.

According to reports, due to growing number of crocodile attacks at the Andaman and Nicobar islands, the administration has petitioned the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) to temporarily de-notify saltwater crocodiles (salties) from (endangered list of species) schedule 1 of the Wildlife Protection Act.

Expressing its serious concern over the move, World Animal Protection (WAP) said that the government should look into regulating and monitoring tourist behaviour.

"World Animal Protection would like to emphasise that culling is not a solution and the government should look into regulating and monitoring tourist behaviour so that visitors to areas in the proximity of crocodile habitat behave responsibly to avoid accidents," said Gajender K Sharma, India Country Director, WAP.

It said the move to de-notify the salties may set a dangerous precedent in India because the saltwater crocodile has the same level of protection as the tiger.

Under the Wildlife Protection Act, the schedule 1 status is given to the most endangered species of plants and animals and carry the highest penalty for poachers. However, permission may be given for selective culling if any species is declared vermin by local authorities or is perceived to be a severe threat to human lives.

The body also recommended that the problem animals to be tracked, and relocated if necessary.

"There is abundant literature on humane tackling of crocodile human conflict and WAP is happy to provide this information to any authority that may require it to resolve the human crocodile conflict in Andamans. The government needs to prioritise public safety as well as the well being of saltwater crocodiles," it said.

It said alternatives to culling include a thorough study to conduct a risk assessment in the areas where crocodile human conflicts have occurred, identifying and relocation of rogue crocodiles into captive animal shelters or zoos and putting up warning signs at crocodile conflict zones while tourists should be asked to abide by the law in crocodile inhabited waters.

Other alternatives included, raising awareness among local communities so that they do not see crocodiles as a threat, and securing and monitoring tourist bathing areas on a regular basis.

"In the meanwhile, we urge utmost caution so that no provision in the Wildlife Protection Act is misused to unnecessarily kill wild animals," Gajender added.