Windhoek: Firefighters successfully rescued dozens of crocodiles after a fire broke out on the thatched rooftops of their pond enclosures at the Otjiwarongo Crocodile Farm on Monday afternoon.According to Namibia Press Agency, the Otjiwarongo Municipality's fire department chief, Daniel Pavaza, reported that several crocodiles were directly affected by the heavy smoke. He explained that crocodiles are particularly vulnerable to smoke inhalation as they are largely waterborne reptiles. 'The quick response by our six-man firefighting team was a high-risk operation, as firefighters entered the enclosures to move the reptiles to safety before tackling the flames. It was a double to triple danger my team faced, as well as the crocodiles themselves,' Pavaza stated.The firefighters encountered several hazards during the operation, including possible crocodile attacks and the risk of drowning in the confined enclosure spaces. The fire reportedly started in grass outside the property and was exacerbated by strong winds that spread the flames to the thatched roofs. Pavaza confirmed that the fire was completely extinguished within an hour using three firefighting trucks.Otjiwarongo Crocodile Farm manager Dieter Noelle, who witnessed the incident, estimated the property damage to be nearly N$150,000. The farm, established in 1985, features six ponds, each with a thatched rooftop to provide natural shade for the crocodiles, helping them regulate their body temperatures in hot weather. These structures had been in place for 35 years.The farm, initially established with 60 crocodiles translocated from Botswana to Namibia, has grown to house crocodiles ranging from hatchlings to adults. Among them are four of the oldest male crocodiles, aged 41 years. Beyond its role as a tourist attraction, the farm is a vital business and source of livelihood, supporting about 20 permanent and temporary workers. It also supplies crocodile meat, teeth, and high-end leather goods to local and international markets.