Support CSG

The CSG network of experts advises governments and wildlife management agencies, evaluates the conservation needs of crocodilian populations, initiates research projects, conducts surveys of wild populations, provides technical information and training, initiates conservation programs, etc. The CSG's operating budget to undertake these activities is derived almost entirely from private donors, with some additional funds being sought for specific conservation and management programs.

The CSG actively works with countries to conserve their wild crocodilian populations. Some crocodilian producer nations allow the regulated harvesting of crocodilians for skins and meat to supply the international market. The CSG works closely with the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) to ensure that such legal international trade is sustainable. Every legal crocodilian skin is marked with a CITES-approved, non-removable tag issued by Government, which allows tracking of skins through trade, until they are converted to products.

Today, trade in crocodilian skins from unregulated exploitation has been largely replaced with skins from sustainable management. More than 30 countries use wild harvests, ranching or captive breeding to produce crocodilian products from 12 species, to supply international trade - but this is on the understanding that such use is not detrimental to the survival of the species in question. As a result, the 11 most commercially valuable crocodilian species are also those that are least threatened with extinction.

The CSG supports the philosophy that incentives for conservation can and have been generated by the marketplace. The economic importance of the resource has led directly to stronger institutional arrangements specifically for conservation and sustainable management, and illegal international trade, which flourished before CITES encouraged legal trade, has been all but eradicated.

The CSG is currently engaged in a number of programs to conserve endangered crocodilian species such as the Chinese Alligator, Philippine Crocodile, Siamese Crocodile, False Gharial and Indian Gharial. In order to undertake and maintain this important conservation work, the CSG must actively seek financial resources. Your support, no matter how small, can make a difference.

You can support the CSG’s worldwide conservation efforts to conserve the 23 species of crocodilian in different ways, including:

Make a monetary contribution in support of the CSG (complete Donation Form).
Subscribe to the CSG newsletter (complete Subscription Form).
Volunteer to participate in CSG activities, including meetings and workshops, and/or be directly involved in field research and conservation programs (contact csg@wmi.com.au for more information).
Donate equipment that can be used in conservation programs in developing countries.

To learn about these and other options to support the CSG (eg funding for specific conservation projects), please contact the CSG Executive Officer, Tom Dacey (csg@wmi.com.au).