President Adama Barrow was on Sunday presented with a dead crocodile by members of the Gambia Hunters Association during his Meet the People Tour stop in Sandou Kirau Arafang.

The act, performed as part of a traditional display to welcome the president, has ignited widespread condemnation from animal welfare groups, wildlife advocates and many Gambians online.

According to locals, the gesture was intended as a cultural honour. But critics say the killing of the crocodile was unnecessary and reflects a growing disregard for wildlife protection.

The incident has drawn parallels with a similar controversy in 2023, when President Barrow accepted a dead hippopotamus during a tour engagement, sparking backlash from conservation groups and the wider public.

This latest episode has intensified debate over whether cultural displays during presidential tours should continue to involve the killing of protected or endangered animals.

Social media users have called for stronger enforcement of wildlife laws and more humane approaches to cultural expression.

By Adama Makasuba