In the last thirty years at least three million crocodiles have been killed in Africa for their skins – and the figure may be much higher. As a result the Nile crocodile has declined seriously almost everywhere, and hunters are now turning to other species, none of which are anywhere abundant, to supply the trade. Only Zimbabwe has established viable crocodile farms, but even these were able to cull only 2253 animals for hides in the three years 1978–80.