Crocodile hunting in Tanzania

Crocodiles are large prehistoric cold-blooded aquatic reptiles. Although feared by some communities, they are worshipped by others. They are cunning predators that are well documented from this part of the world in the many National Geographic documentaries produced on the Wildebeest migration. Crocodiles can be hunted throughout most of the country except in the drier Masailand region. The best Crocodile hunting is in the western swampy regions of the country. Crocodiles can be difficult to hunt as they have an acute sense of hearing and will dive into the water for safety if found basking on the shoreline. In many instances, they are lured to a rotting carcass used as bait and hunted from a temporary blind built from locally sourced natural materials, like reeds, branches and grass. Hunting a crocodile requires import and export CITES permits from both Tanzania and the country to which the trophy will be exported. A minimum of a prearranged 14-day hunting license is required to shoot a crocodile in Tanzania.