Arba-Minch Crocodile Ranch is located 500km and 270 km south west of Addis Ababa and Hawassa, respectively, in Gamo-Gofa Zone. The Ranch is found near “Nechi-Sar†National Park in Arba Minch town on the shore of lake Abaya. The ranch was established in 1984 and it lies on an area of 3 hectare of land with the objectives
To produce and export crocodile skins and meat to world market, and
To contribute for the conservation of the globally threatened crocodile population
At present, the ranch is highly threatened boy over flooding problem from Lake Abaya as a result the Regional Government allocate budget of five million Eth. Birr to relocate the ranch to another site.
Socio-economic importance of the ranch:
The ranch creates various job opportunities (temporary & permanent) to the dwellers of Arba-Minch town and its surroundings area. Besides, the establishment of the ranch attracts many foreign and domestic tourists in the area and it is one of the attractions being reason for the development of Arba-Minch Town. Apart from developing crocodile hatchelling for the commercial purpose, the ranch releases a certain number of developed crocodiles to lake Chamo and Abaya contributing for the healthy population of crocodiles in the lakes.
