Birds, insects, frogs and toads as ethnobioindicators to nile crocodiles (Crocodylus niloticus) attacks in the Zambeze river – Mozambique

Abstract

This article aims to present knowledge practices used to mitigate the existing conflict between humans and Nile crocodiles (Crocodylusniloticus) in the Zambezi River in Mozambique. The methodology used was based on the analysis of news and bibliographical works that deal with the human/crocodile conflict. Social subjects were interviewed to understand how this relationship is established. The research results indicate that the Nile crocodiles (Crocodylusniloticus) attack people and domestic animals, causing deaths and injuries. To prevent such attacks from continuing to occur, they adopted strategies based on empiricism, using birds, insects, toads and frogs as approach signals and indicators of places of abundance of Nile crocodiles. This is the theoretical-practical knowledge of the local inhabitants, which, being easy to interpret, observe and represent, characterizes the ecological dynamics characterized by ethnobioindicators. The systematization of these local practices and socialization to society in general will become a way of legitimizing this knowledge into knowledge, and thus saving lives.