BY KFLEEYESUS ABEBE
Cultural and Natural blessings have made Arba Minch among favorite places to visit. I have been wishing to visit the place especially after the elders of Gamo showed courgeous and thoughtful act of averting bloodshed back in 2018. The dance, costumes and traditional lifestyles are also exquisite helping people to know about Arba Minch. Arba Minch is equally or more known for its wildlife and plants. It has become a preferred resort city these days as the lakes, the thick forests and the banana plantations are eye-catching and refreshing.
You start to witness the natural richness of Arba Minch beginning from the entry. Upon return from Zayse, we had a brief stay in Arba Minch. We have seen some of the lodges and hotels and noticed there is a growing touristic activity in the city. Tourists go to Nech Sar to look at different wildlife or to ride boat onto Lake Chomo is a popular excursion from the city. There is another significant site tourists shouldn’t miss: Arba Minch Crocodile ranch. You might see crocodile if you go to lakes but may not be safe especially in lake Abaya. But in Arba Minch ranch you can be assured of your safety and get explanation about the lives of crocodiles.
Arba Minch Crocodile ranch was established in 1984. It is a pioneering crocodile ranch in Ethiopia and East Africa at large. The ranch that lies on an area of 3 hectare of land was established with the purpose of conserving reviving crocodile population in lake Chamo and Abaya. It also contributes for conservation of globally threatened crocodile population. The ranch is considered a vital center of research and education. Along this, the ranch is an attraction site generating income for local people.
Ranch’s manager Mesert Debelw says the ranch is on top of the travel list of tourists who visit Arba Minch. Accordingly, it sees more than 200 visitors each day.
“This is among major tourist site both in the zone and the state. It is unlikely anyone who visits Arba Minch not to visit this place. Crocodile is Arba Minch’s brand. So, it has many tourists to this place. At least 200 local and foreign tourists visit this place daily.”
The ranch is currently undertaking renovation and expansion to raise its revenue.
“ This place is under the direction of tourism and culture bureau. So, the bureau is doing activities that raise its touristic value and income. It begins from the designing. The food of crocodiles which are cow meat and fish is to be produced here by raising animals inside the compound. Previously, we purchase their foods from outside.”
It was first time for me to see crocodiles this close and by my naked eyes. I can say it was surreal feeling but exciting. I also sensed that from my friends have same feeling. The guide was very comfortable becoming closer to the crocodiles. I have also seen some even getting into the fenced compound and cleaning the floor to them. It was all thrilling for someone who never saw crocodiles before. Having this mind, I asked the guide Thomas Tama the impression of tourists and whether he had unforgettable memories while working there.
“People get very impressed when they see the crocodiles but some get frigthened and even run. We encourage and tell them they are under protection. There is nothing to fear. Many of them return and enjoy their visit. There was no incident that any visitor suffered attack. Of course, some drop their belongings like eye glasses and the like but now we provide precautions. Therefore, there are no incidents of injury or damage of properties.“
The guide provided us information on the life cycle of crocodiles like; how do they multiply, how do they bring them, how they are being treated at the ranch and when there time reach how they slaughter them. In addition to income that is generated from tourism, the ranch also source income by exporting crocodile meat and skin to the international market. Ranch’s manager Mesert Debelw says crocodile meat and skin are being exported to France, Australia Italy and China. However, the ranch wants to build sustainable market by finding and encouraging the local market. This recent intiative seems to be yielding fruit as the ranch sold 1,500 crocodile skins the previous year.
“Previously, we laregly depend on foreign market but the COVID 2019 and the war affected our sale. We realize we need to encourage the local market so as to have sustainable business. We don’t have shortage of produce. Since we have been depending on foreign market, we haven’t built market chain locally. We are currently doing that and sold 1,500 crocodile skins the previous year. ”
The ranch now housed morethan 2,700 crocodiles which are in different ages. the Upon completing the renovation and expansion project, Arba Minch Crocodile Ranch is anticipated to house more crocodiles and increase activities thereby it became more enjoyable. On top of this, it will also become self-reliant. For now I found the ranch to be fascinating tourist site any tourist who made stopover in Arba Minch should visit.
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD FRIDAY 4 NOVEMBER 2022