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| The CSG is involved with the
conservation and management of all 23 species of crocodilian around the world. The conservation status of one species may vary relative to other species, and may vary greatly within its own distribution. For example, populations of Saltwater Crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus) in Papua New Guinea, Australia and Indonesia (Papua Province) are large and secure, yet populations in other Range States (eg Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Palau, Philippines, Thailand, India) are small and perhaps under threat. In some countries the species is or is likely to be extinct (eg Singapore, Thailand). Likewise, the American Crocodile (C. acutus) is secure in Cuba and the USA, but populations have been greatly reduced in the other 15 other Range States. Thus, actions by the CSG are prioritised, largely on the basis of the conservation status of particular species. By 2007, seven (7) species were considered to merit priority action, and major initiatives were being planned and/or underway by the CSG. However, the CSG and its members are working on most species in different countries to some degree, regardless of status, advancing our knowledge of crocodilian biology and furthering conservation and management initiatives. |
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| Indian Gharial (Gavialis gangeticus) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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The plight of the Indian Gharial (Gavialis gangeticus) has worsened in recent
years, and the species was listed as “Critically Endangered” on the IUCN Red
List of Threatened Species. The Gharial Conservation Alliance (GCA) is an
international organization committed to reversing the decline of the gharial
through population management, habitat protection, and cooperation with local
people. The GCA is based in India, but consists of scientists, educationists,
social scientists, fundraisers, and concerned individuals worldwide. Combining
the diverse expertise of its members, the GCA is taking a holistic and
comprehensive approach to conservation of this species and its habitats. The
basis of all GCA activities is sound scientific knowledge of the gharial, its
riverine ecosystem, and consideration of the people living alongside the
species. Recognizing the importance of involvement of local people in
conservation and management programs, the GCA is taking an integrated ecological
and sociological approach to the gharial conservation crisis. The GCA seeks to
find mutually beneficial strategies for conservation of the gharial and
uplifting of local communities through education and eco-development programmes. By
addressing gharial conservation at species, ecosystem, and social levels the GCA
aims to make lasting positive impact on the gharial’s native rivers, ensuring
the survival of the species and the vital rivers of the subcontinent. |
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| Tomistoma (False Gharial) (Tomistoma schlegelii) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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Tomistoma schlegelii is listed as “Endangered” on the IUCN Red List of
Threatened Species, and the wild population has been estimated to consist of
less than 2500. Distribution data are still relatively poor, making an accurate assessment of status, distribution or population size very difficult.Completed surveys reveal low population densities in fragmented habitat. Populations in many areas have either disappeared or are seriously depleted. Although some habitat lies within protected areas, enforcement for these is limited. Threatening processes such as habitat loss are still ongoing. Habitat destruction (logging, cultivation, dams, flood mitigation), drowning in fishing nets, overfishing of food resources and, to a limited extent, poaching for skins threaten the species. CSG's Tomistoma Task Force (TTF) has been established in 2003 to focus the efforts of crocodilian specialists from around the world. TTF is taking constant challenges for fund raising and public awareness raising. It made TTF possible to conduct short-term surveys in limited areas both in West Kalimantan (2004) and in Central Kalimantan (2005). However, more surveys are required continuously to clarify status of Tomistoma and natural habitat. Concrete actions are urgently required to reduce risk of extinction and to recover wild populations. |
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| Rio Apaporis Caiman (Caiman crocodilus apaporiensis) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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The conservation and taxonomic status of the Apaporiensis Caiman has been
identified by the CSG as an issue in urgent need of resolution. This subspecies
of Caiman crocodilus was described by Frederico Medem (1981), a cautious and
skilled taxonomist expert with crocodilians. Yet the restricted distribution of
C. c. apaporiensis to the Apaporis River area in the Amazon River Basin of
Colombia has so far complicated efforts to assess its conservation and taxonomic
status and needs. For the CSG this is a particular concern - if its taxonomic
status is confirmed it is likely to be “Critically Endangered”. The Apaporis
River area is frequented by guerillas and thus dangerous for researchers to
visit. In view of these security difficulties, it has not been possible for CSG
researchers to access the area at this stage. |
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| Philippine Crocodile (Crocodylus mindorensis) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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The Philippine Crocodile is listed as “Critically Endangered” on the IUCN Red
List of Threatened Species, and the wild population has been estimated to
consist of less than 100 adults. Although a captive breeding program has been
successful, Philippine Crocodiles and their habitats continue to be threatened,
and no crocodiles have yet been reintroduced into totally wild habitats. The Mabuwaya Foundation has demonstrated in the municipality of San Mariano,
Northern Luzon, that community-based in situ conservation can be successful.
Recent initiatives include a “Forum on Crocodiles in the Philippines” (Manila,
30 January to 2 February 2007) in which more than 100 representatives of
Government, industry, non-government organisations, Philippine Universities and
local communities participated. Central to the Forum’s agenda was the goal of
improving the status of wild crocodiles in the Philippines. Of significance was
the report that there is a wild population of C. mindorensis in the
Liguasan Marsh of southern Mindanao, coexisting with C. porosus. On the
basis of this information a research project was initiated to survey and
conserve this wild population. The first step consisted of an exchange of
information between the Mabuwaya Foundation and the University of Southern
Mindanao, involving personnel from each area to visit the other. Planning is now
underway to undertake surveys in the Liguasan Marsh. |
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| Siamese Crocodile (Crocodylus siamensis) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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Conservation of the remaining wild populations of Siamese Crocodile in Cambodia
and Indonesia (Kalimantan) is considered a high priority for the CSG. The
species is virtually extinct in the wild in Thailand, although recent surveys
(in 2004) indicated that the total wild population may consist of about 100
individuals in 5 habitats. Reintroduction of captive-bred juveniles was carried
out in 2005 and 2006 in Pang Sida National Park in eastern Thailand (UNESCO
World Heritage Area). Apart from the successful reintroduction of C.
siamensis into Cat Tien National Park, the species probably does not exist
elsewhere in the wild in Vietnam. There are many thousands of C. siamensis on farms in Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia, and there are reports of illegal trade in the species between these countries and China. This is of particular significance for the wild population in Cambodia, where demand for stocking crocodile farms has been implicated in the decline of the species. The Cardamom Mountains in southwest Cambodia is considered the remaining stronghold for the species, and a research program established by Flora and Fauna International has been operating there for some years. A CSG review of conservation and management in Cambodia (2005) made 31 recommendations designed to assist authorities to improve management of the species there, and a similar review is planned for Vietnam in mid-2008. The only other wild population of C. siamensis is in East Kalimantan (Indonesia), in the upper Makaham River. A survey of habitats and interviews with local communities confirmed the presence of the species and that breeding still occurred. The nature of the habitat makes conventional surveying of the population difficult. |
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| Chinese Alligator (Alligator sinensis) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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In 2002, the State Forestry Administration of the Peoples Republic of China (SFA)
issued the “China Action Plan for Conservation and Introduction of Chinese
Alligator” in an attempt to ensure that the species does not become extinct in
the wild. This plan attempts to address: monitoring and current status of the
wild population; reintroduction program; public education; scientific research;
and, development of a master plan for the Anhui Nature Reserve for Chinese
Alligator. The plan calls for acquisition and re-establishment of wetlands for
re-establishment of wild populations. The reintroduction program has so far
resulted in experimental release of 16 alligators into Gaojing Miao Farm (Anhui
Province) and Yancheng Biosphere Reserve (Jiangsu Province). Release of
alligators into semi-wild habitats has been carried out in Changxing Breeding
and Research Center (Zhejiang Province) to habituate captive-bred animals to
wild conditions. Monitoring of wild populations in Anhui Province suggest that
it has stabilised. |
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| Orinoco Crocodile (Crocodylus intermedius) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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The Orinoco Crocodile (“Caiman del Orinoco” in Venezuela, “Caiman Llanero” in
Colombia) occurs in the Orinoco River basin (surface area of 600,000 square km) of
Colombia and Venezuela. Uncontrolled hunting for skins between 1930 and 1950
greatly reduced the wild populations. For example, in Colombia, surveys
undertaken in 1994-1997 indicated that the wild population was less than 250
individuals. A Conservation Plan developed by the Colombian Government included
surveys, captive breeding and reintroduction, but there have been problems
implementing the program. In Venezuela the situation for the species is much better. Here, a conservation program was developed by Government and the Venezuelan Crocodile Specialist Group (GECV; Grupo de Especialistas en Cocodrilos de Venezuela); the GECV comprises a diverse group of people interested in crocodilian conservation (eg different universities, non-government organizations, government, private ranches), and leads the conservation efforts. The program is based principally on restocking, which was initiated in 1990 and has resulted in 5575 Orinoco Crocodiles being released into wild habitats. Eggs are collected from the wild, artificially incubated, and the hatchlings raised to a larger size (>70 cm total length) before they are released back into the wild. Some hatchlings are also produced through captive breeding. There are now established wild populations in the Cojedes, Capanaparo and Sinaruco Rivers, and a “new” wild population has been created through restocking in the Caño Guaritico Wildlife Refuge in Apure State, where the species had been extirpated historically. Released animals have reached maturity and are now breeding. A considerable research effort has been a feature of the program, and the biology, ecology, reproduction, survival of released animals, movement and captive breeding have been studied. Although the species has not recovered completely, Venezuelan authorities are currently investigating new management options, including ranching, that can involve local people living in the same habitats as the Orinoco Crocodile, and create additional incentives for conservation of the species and its habitats. There is little doubt that the long-term future of the species is linked to the participation of local communities. |
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