Living in harmony with crocodiles may seem like an unlikely scenario, considering their reputation as one of the most dangerous predators in the animal kingdom. However, in a small village in Burkina Faso, the residents have become accustomed to coexisting with these fearsome creatures, even comfortably touching and riding them without fear.

Bazoule, located in Burkina Faso, is a lakeside village in Africa, approximately 30 km from the capital city of Ouagadougou. For generations, the villagers have maintained a unique tradition of peacefully cohabiting with over 100 ferocious crocodiles in the village pond. This pond serves as a daily water source for the women, while the children happily swim and frolic in its waters.

The crocodiles in Bazoule, although distantly related to Nile crocodiles, are larger in size and possess a more amiable temperament. They belong to the Crocodylus species, commonly known as West African crocodiles or desert crocodiles due to their preference for living in bodies of water, swamps, or forests.

These crocodiles, or rather their ancestors, adapted early to the changing environment in North Africa, transitioning from grasslands to lush savannas around 10,000 years ago, before the Sahara Desert turned into the arid expanse it is today.

While Nile crocodiles typically favor large rivers seasonally, West African crocodiles are more drawn to marshes and swamps. They are not aggressive towards humans and do not pose a threat. Similar to the people of Bazoule, communities across West Africa live in close proximity to crocodiles. Humans and crocodiles coexist peacefully, with the villagers showing respect and safeguarding these creatures from harm. The residents of Bazoule even believe that the crocodiles descend from the heavens with the rain. If the crocodiles were to disappear, the rains would cease as well. When a crocodile dies, the villagers conduct a funeral ceremony to honor its passing.

Due to these traditional beliefs, the people of Bazoule protect the crocodiles as if they were their own lifeblood. They comfortably share the small body of water with hundreds of crocodiles. Children are accustomed to bathing alongside these reptiles, and the villagers have become so familiar with them that they can touch and even ride on their backs without hesitation.

According to local folklore, around 500 years ago, a group of crocodiles guided a native man who was dying of thirst to a water source. Since then, the local population has held these magnificent reptiles in high esteem. Remarkably, there has never been an attack by crocodiles on humans in Bazoule.

The presence of crocodiles is a major draw for tourists visiting the village of Bazoule. In these instances, guides use live bait to lure the crocodiles onto the shore, allowing visitors to interact with and even ride on them in a relatively comfortable manner.

However, due to climate change and the resulting depletion of water resources in the village, concerns are growing that the crocodile population may relocate in search of new water sources. Many people worry about the potential departure of these magnificent creatures from their beloved Bazoule.