Defying international wildlife treaties, the Malawi government recently ordered officials and commercial hunters to begin the killing of Nile crocodiles. "The government has taken such a decision because the reptiles have killed and injured a number of local villagers,' said Harry Thomson, the country's environmental affairs minister.

Malawi is a signatory to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species ( cites ), which prohibits the commercial hunting of Nile crocodiles. "We know there is a worldwide ban on crocodile hunting. But we are left with no choice as these animals are causing havoc,' said Thomson.