An analysis of tomistoma (Tomistoma schlegelii) attacks on humans
Brandon Sideleau
A * , Agata Staniewicz B , Murian Syah C and Kyle J. Shaney D
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A CrocBITE, 2536 Avenida De Las Plantas, Thousand Oaks, CA 91360, USA.
B Department of Behavioural Ecology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań, Poland.
C Balai Konservasi Sumber Daya Alam Kalimantan Tengah Seksi Konservasi Wilsyah II, Pos Sampit, Indonesia.
D Department of Biological and Health Sciences, Texas A & M Kingsville, 700 University Boulevard, Kingsville, TX 78363, USA.
Marine and Freshwater Research 73(11) 1331-1338 https://doi.org/10.1071/MF22015
Submitted: 20 January 2022 Accepted: 7 August 2022 Published: 29 August 2022
© 2022 The Author(s) (or their employer(s)). Published by CSIRO Publishing
Abstract
Context: Increasing human–crocodile conflict (HCC) is a major conservation and management issue. Although three species are responsible for most attacks, on occasion, some slender-snouted species, such as tomistoma (Tomistoma schlegelii), are also implicated.
Aims: To analyse reports of confirmed and suspected attacks on humans by tomistoma and explore potential causes and solutions.
Methods: Reports of attacks were collected for the CrocBITE project from January 2010 to December 2019, utilising media reports and communication with local authorities. Attack trends, including outcome, victim demographics and activities, geographic location, and other details were analysed.
Key results: We recorded 31 attacks, including 10 deaths, where the culprit species was confirmed or strongly suspected to be a tomistoma. The Jambi province of Sumatra was the site of most attacks and most victims were male and fishing at the time. In addition, most attacks were reported during the 3-year period from 2016 to 2018.
Conclusions: On rare occasions, tomistoma prey upon humans. Certain anthropogenic factors may be altering tomistoma behaviour and contributing to increased conflict.
Implications: Tomistoma were recently up listed from Vulnerable to Endangered on the IUCN Red List and this conflict is yet another threat facing the species, alongside the destruction habitat.
Keywords: conservation, HCC, human–wildlife conflict, reptiles, tomistoma, Tomistoma schlegelii, wetlands.
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