Woman leads crocodile relocation in Kenya to ease conflict
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Sergeant Beatrice Mitei of the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) is leading a 29-member team in relocating more than 50 crocodiles from Lake Baringo in Kenya.
Rising water levels at the lake have increased interactions between crocodiles and local communities, leading to attacks on people and livestock. Mitei’s team captures the crocodiles and moves them to safer habitats, reducing danger to residents while protecting the species.
Mitei has spent 19 years with KWS, working in various roles including tourism and animal control, and has become a pioneer for women in traditionally male-dominated wildlife operations. She directs the capture efforts, coordinating a team that uses nets, winches, and bait to secure the crocodiles. The work is challenging, as the crocodiles often resist capture and the team must adapt their strategies. The team prioritises discipline, teamwork, and safety, beginning work before sunrise each day.
They carefully restrain and blindfold the captured crocodiles before transporting them in water-filled crates to new locations. Mitei hopes her work will inspire other women and demonstrate that they can succeed in any field, and also leave a lasting impact on conservation efforts in her home county of Baringo.
