A crocodile that climbs trees. That is the reality in Côte d'Ivoire, where the slender snouted crocodile has been observed scaling branches above the water. A scientist who has studied the reptile for years says the species now needs formal protection before it disappears.
A crocodile that lives in two worlds
Christine Kouman, a researcher with the University of Félix Houphouët Boigny, has spent years tracking the slender snouted crocodile in Côte d'Ivoire. These crocodiles do not just swim and bask on riverbanks. They climb into overhanging branches, sometimes several meters above the water. Kouman has documented this behavior in the country's southern forests, where the reptiles use trees to sun themselves and possibly to ambush prey.
The slender snouted crocodile is already listed as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. But in Côte d'Ivoire, it receives no specific legal protection. Kouman argues that the government should designate the species as protected under national law, which would make hunting and habitat destruction illegal.
Why local people care about a climbing reptile
The crocodile lives in rivers and swamps near villages in southern Côte d'Ivoire. Local fishermen encounter the animals regularly. Some communities have traditional beliefs about the crocodiles, viewing them as sacred or as guardians of the water. But the reptiles also face threats from habitat loss as forests are cleared for agriculture and from hunting for bushmeat.
Kouman's research shows that the population of slender snouted crocodiles in Côte d'Ivoire has declined sharply. She estimates that fewer than 100 adults may remain in the wild in the country. Without legal protection, the species could vanish from the region entirely.
A call for action before it is too late
The scientist has submitted a proposal to the Ivorian government to list the slender snouted crocodile as a protected species. She has also recommended creating a conservation plan that involves local communities. If the government acts, Côte d'Ivoire would join other West African countries that have already granted legal protection to the species.
Kouman continues to study the crocodiles, tracking their movements and monitoring their nests. She says the tree climbing behavior makes the species unique and worth saving. The crocodile does not just represent a biological curiosity. It is a part of the ecosystem and the cultural landscape of southern Côte d'Ivoire. Whether the government moves to protect it will determine if the climbing crocodile remains a living part of the country's forests or becomes a memory.
