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Conflicts with wildlife are a major challenge for conservation across Africa, and Nile crocodiles Crocodylus niloticus are allegedly responsible for more attacks on people than any other species; however, there is a lack of data regarding such attacks. We analysed reported attacks on people by Nile crocodiles in South Africa and eSwatini (Swaziland) during 1949–2016, identifying spatial and temporal patterns in attack incidence, as well as victim demographics. Through a literature review and archival searches we identified records of 214 attacks. Most attacks occurred in natural water bodies, with attacks in dams increasing since 2000. Most victims were attacked while swimming or bathing, others while fishing, doing domestic chores, and crossing waterways. There was a significant relationship between gender and activity when attacked. Children (< 16 years old) accounted for 51% of all attacks, with a higher fatality rate compared to adults. Most victims were male (65%), with teenage boys being the largest individual category. We make recommendations for conservation policy and management to mitigate attacks by Nile crocodiles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ecological data on soil living amphibians and reptiles are largely lacking. Specialised methods relying on substrate excavation are required to adequately quantify fossorial herpetofaunal densities as surveying techniques which rely on surface movement (e.g. pitfall or funnel trap surveys) are biased against soil-living species which infrequently move over the soil surface. As part of a larger study, we quantified baseline densities for fossorial herpetofauna in grassland at Sileza Nature Reserve and in savanna at Tembe Elephant Park. All sites were underlain by aeolian sand. Grassland surveys were conducted at two adjoining sites, one during summer, and one in winter while both savanna sites were only surveyed during winter. Quadrats of 4 m2 (2 m x 2 m) were excavated to a mean depth of 0.25 m (volume of 1 m3) as most species of fossorial herpetofauna are considered to live at shallow soil depths. The excavated substrate was momentarily stored in 20 litre buckets before being sifted through a 2 mm x 2 mm (4 mm2) metal mesh, exposing soil living reptiles and amphibians. Grassland fossorial herpetofaunal densities were marginally lower during winter (0.56 individuals.m-2) compared to the summer (0.67 individuals.m-2) survey. Grassland species richness consisted of a single amphibian, Breviceps mossambicus, as well as five reptile species. Although amphibian species richness was considerably lower in grassland compared to reptiles, densities were higher especially during summer. Inter-seasonal demographic variability was observed in the grassland amphibian population with higher numbers of juveniles present during the summer. Herpetofaunal fossorial densities at savanna sites were on average more than four times lower (0.11 and 0.14 individuals.m-2 respectively) compared to grassland. Once again, the only amphibian present was B. mossambicus, but in much lower densities (0.01 and 0.02 individuals.m-2). It is hoped that the outcomes of this study will contribute to a better ecological understanding of soil megafauna in grassland and savanna ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]