Usually, those visiting an island might prefer not to be told that crocodiles lurk nearby, but visitors to one Tunisian island would probably disagree with them.
Djerba – known as the "island of dreams" – houses the country's only crocodile farm, which is proving a huge draw for Tunisians and foreign tourists alike.
In 2002, the farm at Djerba Explore Park in the country’s south opened with 400 Nile crocodiles, which were born in Madagascar in 1998.
The attraction, which is the largest in North Africa and the Mediterranean basin, is now home to 600 crocodiles aged between two and 25.
Caring for the large reptiles takes a lot of effort because of their aggressive nature. Some are known to kill and even eat their own kind.
“We have 600 crocodiles of different ages but we also have other reptiles such as snakes, lizards and turtles, so the four big families of reptiles can be seen here,” Mohamed Belahi, a tour guide at the park, told The National.
“Crocodiles are carnivores, even among each other, so we need to separate the young ones from the older ones and also use artificial insemination, because it might be risky for males and females to mingle,” he said.
Nile crocodiles range in length from 1.5m to 2.5m, although the biggest can reach five metres. They can weigh about a tonne and have a life span of up to 80 years.
During winter, crocodiles go into partial hibernation because of the cold.
“They are lazy creatures and they barely move even during hotter weather, but people should know that it is very safe to observe them io this farm,” Mr Belahi said.
Visitors in awe
As schools across Tunisia go on their annual winter break, families take the chance to visit the park with their children.
Samira, from the Tunisian city of Sfax, visited with her children.
“This [shows] an entire world ... which we are not familiar with so we wanted to discover it,” she told The National.
“People should visit Djerba at least once in their lives. The experience here makes it one hundred times better,” said Mouna, who visited with her two sons.
Manef and Yazid Cherni, aged 12 and 11 respectively, visited from Kef in the north-west with their parents.
“We did not expect them [the crocodiles] to be as huge – I was shocked,” Manef told The National as he watched the sleeping crocodiles through a glass window.
Climate change challenge
The conditions on the island, with an average annual temperature of 20°C, are ideal for the reptiles, although Mr Balahi told The National that climate change and fluctuating weather is making his job harder because sudden falls in temperature could put the crocodiles' lives at risk.
“They need special care," he said. "In winter it becomes necessary for us to heat the basins they swim in as well as make them clay houses where they can hide and take shelter if the weather gets colder than expected."
In January 2023, Croco Park in Agadir city in south-west Morocco opened its doors for visitors after receiving 325 crocodiles from the park in Djerba.
At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Try out the test yourself
Q1 Suppose you had $100 in a savings account and the interest rate was 2 per cent per year. After five years, how much do you think you would have in the account if you left the money to grow?
a) More than $102
b) Exactly $102
c) Less than $102
d) Do not know
e) Refuse to answer
Q2 Imagine that the interest rate on your savings account was 1 per cent per year and inflation was 2 per cent per year. After one year, how much would you be able to buy with the money in this account?
a) More than today
b) Exactly the same as today
c) Less than today
d) Do not know
e) Refuse to answer
Q4 Do you think that the following statement is true or false? “Buying a single company stock usually provides a safer return than a stock mutual fund.”
a) True
b) False
d) Do not know
e) Refuse to answer
The “Big Three” financial literacy questions were created by Professors Annamaria Lusardi of the George Washington School of Business and Olivia Mitchell, of the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
Answers: Q1 More than $102 (compound interest). Q2 Less than today (inflation). Q3 False (diversification).
How the UAE gratuity payment is calculated now
Employees leaving an organisation are entitled to an end-of-service gratuity after completing at least one year of service.
The tenure is calculated on the number of days worked and does not include lengthy leave periods, such as a sabbatical. If you have worked for a company between one and five years, you are paid 21 days of pay based on your final basic salary. After five years, however, you are entitled to 30 days of pay. The total lump sum you receive is based on the duration of your employment.
1. For those who have worked between one and five years, on a basic salary of Dh10,000 (calculation based on 30 days):
a. Dh10,000 ÷ 30 = Dh333.33. Your daily wage is Dh333.33
b. Dh333.33 x 21 = Dh7,000. So 21 days salary equates to Dh7,000 in gratuity entitlement for each year of service. Multiply this figure for every year of service up to five years.
2. For those who have worked more than five years
c. 333.33 x 30 = Dh10,000. So 30 days’ salary is Dh10,000 in gratuity entitlement for each year of service.
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
ICC Women's T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier 2025, Thailand
UAE fixtures
May 9, v Malaysia
May 10, v Qatar
May 13, v Malaysia
May 15, v Qatar
May 18 and 19, semi-finals
May 20, final
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
