ho.€cdhgt of th. 10fh Wo*irg MeetlDg ol thc CrocodiL SpectelfutGrouP of thc Sp.ci6 Sur! iYsl Commisslor oaIUCN ' Th. world CoE .rvsdor Udlo!
corver€d
crin.5vtflc, trlorid& U.s.A- 23 to 27 APril 190
VoluD.l
(Un dit d.ndU'Fi.Ed)
ruCN - T!. wod.l Cd!.t{tion Uniod
A@e d! M6t BLnc, Cll-1194 GL!4 $viEcrl.ld Covcrphoro: Adutt hal. Ah€ nc^n a\igato\ AtUgdt tu|lwp4i?trff, b€ dinq.
UIcnturc ciratios rhoutdE.d s iolM:
tirr.] pp lAfticL lnumbcEl. /, cqo Cl@d'|. SF.'alisrcrcup. 1990,[email protected]. pMccdi. ruqN_rh.wofrdcoem,."u",",..;,;;,;";,"fi.",jfi:ii:;fJ"#;?:,'li""T;1;"*'*o..0, (c) 1990IUCN - Iorc@domt Unio. fo. thc Coeeiio, of Natue ad Natuml RceuG R.p.odudion of $is lubtidiior aor cd@tioMt and ot ,h€cop,,ish,hoder,[email protected],n".."-.o"nu",",0:":H;l;il:ilJffi;"J;:,':ffi'fjif"il:,:"'-- Reploductionfo. Get. or orh.t conncrcial purpo*s is pbhibitcd without?rior rirren pcmi$ion of rhc coplr,Chtholdcr, ISBN2S32?{)022_1 Publishcdb). IUCN/SSCcrocodirc Spc.i.lirr coup TABLE OF CONTENTS YOLIME 1 FOR.EWORD SUMMARY OF MEETINC LIST OF PARTICIPANTS Pr€s€rbtions Austi4 Hard€t B. An inv€stigatior of the ontogenyof the Mulleria! duct regressoras wel as the sensitiv€p€riod io the Aderic.tr alligator. Bebra, O. Sex ratio ofA.fricar d*arf crocodiles(Osteola€nrus tetaspit) Cop'',18tr1) exploited for 3 Beh,r4 O. Impact oflegal prot€ction ofcrocodiles h Madagascar. 6 Borath, ICH., R.D. Hdler, J. Eonath and D. Al'lelar& Tiletamhe-Zolacepam-Ac€promzzhe Aaesthesiaia CrocodJ,tzr,t r'rotic6 with regard to the respiratory and cardiovascularsysteE...... Bonath, Kfi., R-D. Haler, J. BoMth and D. Adelarg. The inlluence of Gallamine on inmobilizatiotr, c-ardiovascdarand r€spiratory paradetets of CtucodyhrsnilotictLt...... ,..,,..,1i Brisbin Jr., l€br I, CJarkD. Mccr€€dy, Howard S. Zppler and Mark A. Statod. E{etrded maht'in,nce ofAmeric.n aligatorson a dry formulatedmtion...... 16 Carbomeau, DwaytreA., and Robelt H. Chabred. Population sizr, composition and recruiuneat ofAmericaa alligators in ft€,shwatermarsh, ...... ,.,32 Carrilo-Garc4 Alejatr&o. Summaryof Venezuela'srew law or comm€rcial trading in wildtife Che4 Bihui. PreliEinarystudies on the homerange of ChiDesealigator...... 43 Ch€n, Bihui WaDgChaolin aad Lian Baodorg Obseri.atiouon the burrow of Chinese 47 Davi4 Dennis N. Su dary of aligator farming records in Florida. 54 Fucbs,Kad-Heinz, Dietrich Jelden ard Heilz Wermuth. Or the po$ibility ofa new und€scribed Gameq I. Grorvth cuves for th€ Nile oocoalile as estimatedby skeletochroDolog. Genolagaai,John-Mark G., ard JM. Wildot. Statusof cro$dile populations in PapuaNew Guircar1981- 1988. 122 Genolagani Jobn-Ma* G., and J.M. Wilnot. Stat\s of Ctocodyluspdosus rld C. noracguineae populaliotrsh PapuaNew Guin€a-l98l- 190...... ------.... 151 Gorzul4 Stefa., arrdEdgd Usechi. Sone new bformatrotr or the V€nezuelan Cutierrcz-ElJuri Sad Elias. Utilizationof tbe nusculatureof the spectaclec ltnan (Caiman crocod'r6) asa food resource;its proc€ssiDg. 1A Hailq Tadoss€. The ncthod of crocodile hatching adopted in AIba Minch cro@dile farm, Hair€! David B., m. The American alligator: Dollars atrd s€Ds€...... 180 Hircs, Tommy. Ar updated report on aligator managementand value-addedconseri?tion ln Hotregger,Rerc E, atrd R. Howard Hutrt. Brcediry crocodilesin zool ical gardensout6ide the q)eciesnnge, with some data on thc general sihratiod in European zoog 19g9...... 2m Hor4 Lindsey J., Mike J€nrirys a.ndAmold Brunelli. Mercury contaminatiod of Florida alligators...... 229 Hunt, R. Howard. A surreillancemethod for donitoringalligator n€sts...... 241 Jelde4 Dietrich- Appropriate solutioN for lhe uninterupted marking of crocoditi.n\ the; sldls Joane4Te4 ad I-ary McNease.Alligator farm designin Iruisiana. ,,...... ,...... --...... 26A Joalen, Te4 Larry McNeaseatrd Don Ashley. koduction volume and tretrdsin the USA...... n6 Kerchcvat David R., an-d Perry Little. Comparativegro*th lates of young aligators utilizing ratio* of plantand/or aninal origins...... 2j6 Ki[g F. Waytre,Mario Espinal and Carlos A. Cerlato, Distribution aod statu.sof tho Crocodiliansof Honduras ...... 3r3 FORSWORD Thc tro volumcsof thb PRoCEBDINGSarc a rc.ord of thc p.escotatiolsand discursio8 that occrErcd at tho 10thWorkiDg Mc€tiry of thc C.ocodilcSpc.ia.list Group in cairc.lila, Florida,U,SA- A - n April 190. Tt Earus.ripts arc ulrcvi€w€dard uedircd Thc CSGPRocEEUNGq by dc6aition,are rccordsof wbat occurrcdat th€ mc€tiD& Thcy arc not tome.sfillcd with anicla3tiat *€te .ritiquc4 cdit€4.evfuc4 ard polfuhedsubscqu€dt !o thc hc!ti!& Ap€d ftoE p.Epari[ga tablc of cootent3,cut- and-pastirg captio8 to figurcs, compilirg tbc aniclcaalpbabcticaly by author,aad nonbcriag thc pagcacorsccutilE , thc paFr3 arc publishcdju6t tf,c way thcywcrc suboitted For ihis rcasoD,thcy apFar iD a vathty of forEataard typcfaca JaocsPcna! Ro65l,16 thc natragingcditor. The opitrio8 erprEsscdhcroin arc tho6cof thr iDdifiual aurho.satrd arc sot thc opinio8 of ruCN - Th. World Cors.fl/atio Urd,o4or iti SpccicsSuvival ConDissio!" rucl.I - Thc World Co..crvrtio! Udiotr was four&d ir 19€ and ha6 its headquartc$in Glar4 Swiecda!4 it L a! indcpc!&nt idtcdatiorrl body*hosc EcEbcrship coEpris€sstatar (irrcsp€ctive of tl|Gn pot&al ad social systces),gorcraDeat &p.rtmertq and prir"tc itrstitutiona,a8 srl as i*cmatioml orgaaizatioos.It rcFcrcnB tho6ceho arc co8cmcd about Ea!'s oodificatioo of thc lat|tral c[vi.olDcrt tbroush thc rapidity of u6aa and industrial dr@lopncrt ard the crccssiw cqloitatiol of thc carti's lat|tral rcloorca!, upol rriich rcst thc foudatiom of his suwival ruCNs Eair pu.po6cis to p.oDotc or supportaction wiich *i[ eDaorcthe pcrpctuationof *ild raturc atrd naturalrcsoorccs on a rorld.*idc b6sir,not ody fo. thcir inhrsic o tural or scielti6c vElue,sbut also for thc long-tern e@trodicad socialwclfarc of oantiod. Thir obicdiw ca! bc achicvrd tbtough activc corscrvationFograEs for thc *isc usc of natural t6orEcca itr arcarwhcrc thc llora and faunr arc of paiiculrr iEFrtarcc andwtcrc thc lrndsaapc;s raFaialy bcaudnl or stdldDg or ol hfuorical o turai, o. scieodficsignificancc, ruGj beli€vesthat ic aid6 ca! bc achilvrd d6t cficdively by i[ternatioml effort ilr cooperatiotrwith other i €f,latiotral agcrcic6rsuc! as UNESCO,FAO, ard IJNEP, and internatiodalorganizatioo!, 6uc[ a! World lvidc Fundfo. Natut€(WWD. Thc nisioo of ruclPs sFcies suwival connission (SSC)i! to prcvc the erifttiod of specics, subspccics,aud dis.rctc populatioDsof faura ald tlorr, therebyEaintainiDg thc gemric diversityof the liviag rcsourccsof tic plancr To carry out it3 mi$ioD, thc SsC rcli6 on a nctsork of ov€i 2,500 rclurlc.r Fofcssioralswdtirg throughoo.c tlan $ SpccialistG.ouF ard a hrgp numberof affiliate cgmizatio|ts, rcgioral rcprcs€ ativEi,,nd con6ultaitarrcaftcrcn tbrouSh rcarv evcrycounay of the mrld. SIJMMARYOF THE MEETING The 10th Working Meeting of tt€ IUCN/SSC Crocodile Sp€cialistcroup was bosted by t_he Florida Mus€um of Natual History Florida Game and Frash Water Fish Commission,Florida Coop€rativeFish atrd Wildlif€ ResearchUtrit, Americar Alligator Farmers Associatio., St. Awustine Affgator Farn, Florida Altator Farmers Associatioq atrd Florida Alligator Trappqs Association. The local committer, headedby Prol F. wayne Kitrg worked with great dedication to make the arraDgcEedlsatrd elsure the smooth ru[dry of the m€€ting. The mcetiDgtook place betweenApril I ad April z/ at the Holiday Intr lvest, cainesvillq Florida U.SJq" This Working Meetiog of the Specialistcroup was by far the largEst'rt held with over 320 participants froIn 40 coutries attending. A total of 80 paperswffe scheduledfoi pr€s€ntationand four c,orkhops conven€dor specialissues. Si*een additional pap€rslvere propos€d for inclusiotr iu the proc€edirys although thcy were not presedtedat thc me€ting A total of 53 manuscdptsand oae workhop report w€re r€ceivedby the sditor iD time for hclusion in these publshed pro S€ssioDsof pap€rswere pleseotedon The Statusof Crocodilia$, Crocodilian Maa€eEe , FarEing and Ranchin& ard oo Research. Noteworthy *?s the very high stadard of presentatiors and the very broad raryc of topiqs and participants. Researchels,conservationists, farmers a.!d raachers, ma.nagemertauthoriti€s, ard leather tatrrcrs and traders all exchaagedviews ard discussedtheir corcerns. Thb dil€rsity is roflecled b thesepublished proc€ediDgs. Workshops on the Actiod plan for Crocodiliaa conservatio4 InternatioDalTrade in Crocodilia.nproducfs, a booklet and directory of farming nethods ad operations,and a Model Crocodilian ManageEeot Progam were heavily atteuded The Working Meeting has evolvedfrom a restricted group of specialsts coDcemedabout coDserrationto a comprehensiveforum for the exctalge of iElornatiotr tlat wil tnake conservation a.odsustainablc use of crocodilbDs a reality. Folowing the reorga.dz-ationarnounced ir the CSc Newsleuer,Volume 8, Oct - Dec 1989, pp. 1-4, the Vic€ C[airEer atrd deputy Vice Chairmen are respoDsiblefor keeping the nenbership atrd public hforoed of CSG d€cisio[s and activities. As a consequencea getreralbusiness meeting lras rct scheduled. The CSG Sterring Co6lnittee met on 22 April a.ndagfi 27April190 to tlansact the official busin€ssofthe crcup. The minutes of thcsc meetingshare been publishedseparately in the CSG Newsletter, Volume q April - Jutr€! 1990. Fieldttip's werc arangEd during the de€titrg to St. AwustiDe Alligator Farm Crocodilian Ce e. at Ocal4 Florida; Payn€sPrairie State Pres€rvq and Orange Late. Followitrg the meeting fieldtrips were led to Oke€fenokeeWildife Retup; EvergladesNational Park; atrd ro alligaror Iarms in central atrd south Florida. csc 10THWORn{c MEEIING REGTSTRANTS Dr. Clarcrcr L Aber6oEbie Anadcto Garciadc AEuda Frlto P€tcrBayliss Box I FEMAAfT c/o Dr. williaE E, MagNsson WoFordCollegc GP 7&f0, q Poctal268 Dcptodc Ecologia- II{PA SpartanbG&SC 29300, U.S!q- Cuiaba. 14 BRAZIL C.ixa Po6td 4?8 69.011.Matall* Ao€zoras, Aatonio QucroA.lba &luardo Asaaza BRAZTL Eur6uduE S-A- Dcpc Zoolog' Camiro C-olc6ar5 OhioStatc Urircrsity Joh! B€bl€r 2904 Mdaga,SPAIN 1735NeilAr€. Ncw YorL ZoologicalPart Colombus,OH 43210,U-s"{ 185Strc.r & SoorhcrDBlvd Johr Allsrcadt Bror4 r.[Y 0460, U,S.C- ProgradaM&stria dc A.bcrt Ashi A.lcjaadroCarrillo Garcia FabioRuada GoEcz, Managpr TooyH:llarlsor PlazaMadarirga, Av. Pacz Zoorccol Slogsbaclco10 R€aialcnciasPalo.ana E Dr. AlciaadroIarricra Brian Lovcjoy Jcfi Mcc.ady Bv.Pcltcgrid 3100 €1 Rivcrsi& Drivc 3H 3dnsaria Fc Ncw Yorlq t{Y m25, U.s..d FrshCodEissiotr ARGENTINA 3900Draacfcld Rmd Do! Kursfo.d klclau4 FL 33811,U.SA. RolI E lllsc! c^ Rcptilc Rcscard & Bd J-136Hcalrh Scicoce.s Centcr ResourccsRanch PatMclntoBh UnivcGityof llo.ida 5661Waltcnoo DivisiodofIa*, E lorclEert caircsrilc, FL 32610,U.s..d qlcillaai Ohio, U.s..d U.s. Fkh andw.ddlife scnrice P.O.Box 8447 Marco.d Ilzarro B. RichardLlEoo.c Saea8tra4GA 31412,U.SA Apdo. Po.tal 7r0 W dlife Cors$vatior Canc1rrqQuirtara Roo Modito.irg Ulit Charlc. McKelvy 7500, MESCO 219cHu iDgtoDRord RI. 7, Box 4,10 carnbridgcCB3 0DI4 UJC Ld(c Cify, Florida,U.S.A" J. Lllo ad Hcler! kllo Crocworld Dr. Wiliam E. Magltssol williaD B. Mdran P.O.Rcnilhaw 41llf Dcplodc Erologia- INPA Rt.4 Box405 SOUIIIAFRICA CaixaP6tal 478 Moultrig GA 3f68, U.S.A 69,0UMaraus, AEazoDas Gof,A. Ltts BRA.ZL Bill McMahan P.O.Bd 31 Luisvilc Zoo Donald34E() JohatrMaraie Um Trcviliar Way AUSTRALIA P.O.Bor 414 P.o. Bd 37250 Botha'sHi[ 3660 LouisviUgKY 402|3,U.SL Simotrlr\n SOUITI AFRICA Koorala CrocodilcFarm Stew McNaIy M/S ?6 CoocroDg! Dr. Tttha M. Masfcy m25 SYt 21 Tcnacc Roclhdptoa alE Old Dep! NarionalPark ad Milni, FL 3174 USJA" AUSTRALIA Wildlife Coaseriatior P.O.Bor E60,Kathdandu, NEPAI D Dr. Obddio Mengbi C€lcsteW. Moorc Kr! O8iso,Dircctot CITESSecrctariat SuFrviso. of Hcrpctolost Stoct KojimaldterDad,onal CascPoctalc ?8 JactaonvilleZoo 21-10,Asahts4 Gchomc CH-1000lausalne 9, 8605Zoo Road Taito-Kq Tobo 111,JAPAN SWTUERIAND Jad.sonvilc!FL 321& U.S.A" Tlr6otty E OMcara Prot H€rry Maiscl Juar Albcrto Mora c/o Floridacamc andFrcsh HopcuDodGardcr! P.O.Bor 450@11 Walcr FlshCoDEissiotr 13lhotnto! St. Miani FL 3245{811, U.S!c" 620S. Mc.idisr ST. Darlirg Point,NSW Zrt, Tanahars..,FL 32Y991600, AUSTRALIA Don R. Morgan u.sL CSTGator FarD Jof,! R. Me]€r P.O.D.as,€r 1208 J. T. Victor Oniols C\rator of Hc.pctologt KcystotrcHcigbt. Etli'ard Ril,cr CrocodilcFarm Jaclsorvilb ZmL Society FL 56 USr{" P.O.Box 669 8605Zoo Rodd Cains, Qld 4{}70,AUSTRALIA Jaclcolvilc! FL 32219US-{" cuilhcrmc dc Miran& Mouao CPA- Pa.!t lal / EMBRAPA Mau.icioOspira.Duque IaoDardolfidarscli OrP 109 CaIc 11"No. 4-fi Box,(843 Co.unb6, I{S ?93m,BRAZIL Ncil€, Huila COLOMBIA Caracas104GA VENEZUEIA Maria &l CarmctrMuioz taotr ,osc Albcno Ottenyalder UIb. L Trinidad,Bloque 7 200106/,Researcl, & 'q, ScrgioMid€nc., Jefc I..m Apto. U Co[s€nratiotr Dcpto.lfida Silrcstrc Caracas1011, VENEZTTELA ParqucZooL Nacio@l RENARE Apto. 2449,Sarto DomiDgo Ar. l.3Psu, #?3!2 JobnNeUet DOMIMCAN REPUBLIC Tcgu.igalps,HONDURAS 326S$r 3rd AVe, Gainesvilc,FL 32601,U.S-A. SidB Papoutsalcis Cbri* Mtlcr Atlcla L"eathci 21:lTaho Ianc toa Ncvtod t:2,'lowf'r AvE- Vdrilo, FL3594, US-A- Dcpt Vct Mcdicid! Wddc'icL,NJ 0./463,U.S!A,. Schoolof VcL Mcdicioc GrcgMitdcl lruisiara StatoUdivc.sity Algela Parket MainlarldHoldiDgs Pty Ud BatotrRougg IA m8(B, U.S.A- GPO Box&l P.O.Bd 196 Lac CairD6,A70Qld PAPUA NEW GIJINEA LouisNgar AUSTRALIA JL PerdagaagaaNo.5-7 RicnsrdMitdcu JaFputa, Irian Jatr, G.O.Parott Zt N. Colunbu6Strt.l INDONESIA P.O. Box892 ArliDgtotr,VA 22a8, US-A- Bushtl€|lFL 3513, U.S.A- Tinotiy c, O8ries Pad Molct 118N-Z Hall Cd5!i[a de Paz Flo.ida Ganc & Fr€al Water Urivcrsityof Florida Criaderodc Caiman€sMoms FrshCoonissioa Gailasvilc, FL 326U,U.s-A" CasillaNo 44 Wildlife Ros..(h l,ab TriDida4 Bed, BOLMTC, 4005S. Mai! SL R. Ardrcw OduE Gair€svitlc,FL ?601, U.S.C" ToledoZoo Dr. H. FraDHinPcrcival 2m0 B.oadway Coop.Frsh & Wildlifc Helry Molt Tolcdo,OH 43@9,U.s.A Rescarc[Uoit 296W lst Strcrt l17 N-Z Haq Univ. Florida L6 Fr€6 oC TX 78564U.SJq" LouiscllayeoduD Gailcsvi[q FL 326U"U.SA 6&n Hclhr Rd. Whitchousc,OH 43511,US.A. n|l CLr rs scott Pfafr GcorgcHcrrhuc Rebclo Iron Roitcr Rirubanls zoologicalPart Dcp3odc Erologia- INPA Prod€lta P.O.Box m Caita Podtal47E P.O.Bof 935 Colu,rbia SC29204 U.S..d 69.0fl) Maraur, Amazooas, Ba]ra[qui[4 COITOMBIA BNAZL Jorg! Pic6! Dodd Rod€ro P.O.Bat3U7 Migrcl Rcy SutaircdMarrg@€ Systemr Arlirgtoq vA 20G3at, UsA CzIbn, #?44 1221Brictelt Avc5 9th Floor Bogott, COITOMBIA Ltranti FL 3AI, USA JobnPiri.ertotr 9944Mrzcll Rd- GabriclRcy Chatlc.sA- Ro6sand Glory Ro*s M''afh city, FL 342 Us3. Calbn, #u-n Ve'lr}'atr.Z.!n,lag,W]'3 " Bogot4 COLOMBIA NationalMurcur of Natural A"c. (Iory) Poolcy Ifatdy P.O.Box 295 RooaldW. RcFolds 1ft! SL & CoDstihrionAv. tlw Scottburgb BuschGerdcg Wa6hirgto4D.C. 2860, U.SA. 4180Natal SOUTH AFRJCA P.O.box 9158 Tanpa FL 33674U,S.A. Dr. PcrranR6s Kurt Prciss D€pt. Zoologf 2121N, BayshorrDr. EvanRueta UnivcBity of Floridra Apt 8r9 hodclta cain€svilc, FL 32601,U,S-A" Miani FL a}(}7, U.s3- P.O.Box95 Barranquil4 COIOMBIA Iv6n RucdaC. che Ouabo P.O.Bd 9585 criadcros dr CaiEarcsMoro6 Kc&ct! c. Ricc CsrtagED.,COLOMBIA Casilla44 U7 N.Z Ha4 FL Coop.Unit Tririda4 Bcli Unil€tsity of Florid,. R(Ecr Ru,e[ BOLIVL{ cairasvile, FL 326u" U.S..d Ges€ Farns,Itrc. 4z)5 DaubertSt. Carlo6Ranircz Erna,rtoRuiz nicbi Orlaado,FL 3286, USA P.O.Bdfi446 Eur6uchus,S..c.. El Dorado Camiro Colmetrar,5 ltrrnoBScarabin PanaDaCity, PANAMA Mabg! AOA, SPAIN PclB & SLiosExpo.t Co. A Croup Z Codpatry WidodoS. R.aodo Carlo6RivcrcBla$o I38 KratiDgDiirc For6t Protcdio! Apartado630[, Chacafto Bclc Cha3sc!LA 706t, U.SA. INDONESIA Caracrs106?-A, VENEZUEIA DorrasSctaefier SbloEi Rarot Gillcs Robcrt Div. I-ab Aninal Mcdicirc Clal CtocodilcFarEs Agroindustdacl Babo,C..{. lsu Vct Sclool 4755th Avc! 23rdFloor Apaiado 7eb1 BatorRougc,LA 7086, U.S.A. Ncw Yorlg l.[Y m17, U.S-d k Urbina 1dt+A Caracas,VENEZUEIA NatashaSchiscbakitr Dr, RJ, Rao Houstor zoo Schoolof studie in zoologf Carlo6II. RodriquczMatos 1513N Mccrego. Jimji Udv, vidt'd !(har Hato santaLuisa, C.q. Houstor,TX 7(80, US.,A. c{,elio.474 011"MJ" INDIA P.O.Box 64560 Caracas106L4 RicardoScfaalbach R. Rolctr Raz VENEZTJEIA Cr. 5 N 26t, A+O J8O7 Aisocrdc CrocodilcProjcd Bogot , D-E. COLOMBIA Ca[. YaI! QL k6 Mara.a3 Migucl.d Rodtiqu.z ScctorSarFRoma! Carrcta9, #?+0q P. 9 Dc[a M. Schulto CaracaEVENEZUEIA Bogo(e,COLOMBIA 143C Mordso. catlati4 TN t/066, U.SA. Tom sclulrz KayamaSinba IIm Tadaracl SatrDGgo Zoo Itrtrtcrlard EJeortCo, Ld Ncw Yort ZoologicdSocicty SaDDiego, CA 9fl, U.s.{. A GroupZ CoEpaay Wildlif€ Surviril Ccnr.r P.O.Bor 4YB Routc l" Bd 20?-2 JucrgptrSchurachci Boroko,NCD, Port Moresby Mid*ay, G.{ 3420, US-A" SEa[ AriEal Clirical S{i PAPUA NEW GUINEA Boxh,JIIMHC SadaoTambc Udvcrsity of Flori& Arc[ic Snith Kamlg'aErn-16 Gaircsrilc, FL 3261G0006, Du!trcllor Alligatof Farm sugin6bi-Ku usL 14it6 SW HIShray ,{}4 Tol$o 167,JAPAN Duucuoo, FL 32630,U.s.A. Caroly! M. Scl(c.af JobaThorbierlrrson B.d/ad Coudy Encrsiotr Otrce Prof.G3- SEith FtoddaMu6curn of Natuftl 345 CoUcgrAvcouc P.O.Box 414 Hisrort Drvi.:t FL33314 U.s]{. Botta'3 IliU 3660 Mll6cumRoad SOUTHAFRICA Gaircsvilc, FL tnll U.S3. An&{s E. Scijas IJNELI,EZ EeatruelSoLtrib Ma[ager Job! Ticdantr Mesade Ca\acrr Ga! Shlrucl CrocodilcFars 900EUda Maric Ct. Guanarc,VENEZUEIA KibbuE Gan-Sbmucl Fairfar, VA 2ZBl, USJc" Mobilc Hdcr 38810 AlcjaddroSc4ucra Ea&ra,ISRAEL Ana MaafaTrelaicia I4ovcr, S.d Rur Artur & SouzaMarqtrs Av. Fraacircodc Mi.alda Brirt spcdcrr *al Erlit C-SJ.P BreadslcyZ.o Morurbi CEP05691 Pisot" O6c N1-10 NoblcAw. SaoPaulo, BRA.ZL I4oi€n Bolcita VENEZUEIA Bridgcport,CN 06610,U.SA G€..8p Tuck€rard Dala Tucter Peiro EliasSc4uera Dr. MartA" Statod 114StWlite WaterRd- PradoDcl Ellc,Calc Margaita, Maiolald EolditrgsIrd Bater, I.A 7t14 U.S-A. Ara B€lcs P.O.Bor 196 Cancas,VENEZUEIA Ilc, PAPUA NEW GUtrIEA Ytzo Ucli',aEa PARACUAY D.. RaFoad F. Scwl JobnStouy U Oaf RidgcDrivr Gfad Chedcr Aligator Farn EduardoUrocna PelhrD,AL 5124, US-A- RL 1,Bq@B P.O.Bor 12258 G.a!d Ctcric., tA t0dl3, U.S:q" Ceorgctowtr Elna Shclcy,Adnn!" tusL GI'YANA TaDrqs Ltd. Jarnc5Stcarrt P,O.Box 200 262Riwlsidc D.. NestorUrucria KiDgstotrff, JAMAICA Woodlar4 CA 95695,U,S-A" P.O,Bd 12258 Gcoryctowr D.. J. shicl4 vct. offi€.r ThoEasSwayDgham GUYANA DcpsrtEed of PrimaryIndustrics S.C.Wildlifc & MariDc P.O.Box 652 Rcsourc.6 Kcvir vanJaarsvcldt CairDr,aH 48ru,AUSTRALIA P.O.D.as,€r 190 P.O.Box 129 Bolltcao, SC29431, U's.,q- cbiredzi BruccM. shscdic& ZMBABWE Rcptilc Wo.ld I!c. Yoicti Talehara,Dir. P,O.861099 HoriuchiTradirg Co. Ld Einar Vclasco Bowir, MD 2t15, U's.A- Sbiasho-KaadaBldg 2ddFloor P.O,Box 6,945 No. 2-f {, TsutasachqKard.a El Dorado cbiyoda-Ku,Totyo, JAPAN PadaDaCity, PANAMA L! Vcrturia PaulJ. wcldor ToshioYananela, Prcside P.O.Bd z)5 Dcpr Biolosr YamafoshiHitaLu Co, I,td Darwi! 0801 Texa3A&MUaivcrsig f-50, Ucno-KoucqTaito-Ku AUSTRALIA Colcgc Statio!, TX 7E43 U.S"d Totyo 110,JAPAN LucianoMattins vcrdade Iaelcr V/cll5ald SugWcIs Carlo6YaEashita cIzBAS//ESAUI/USP Hill Top Fards RuaVoluDtariod dN PaEia 4130 CxP(B, CEP 13.4@ P.O.BqE{} Apto 524 Pitacicabo,SP, BRAZL Arctr ParL,FL 3821 US"{ @4(2SaDtan4 Sao Paulo, BRA.ZL BaianV€f,lon Joh H. Whito Maidald Holdiryi Ptt'.I,td. 59$ W. Colodal Dr. RobcrtN, Young.rd EUc! P,O.Bd 196 Orlado, FL 32808,U-s]A- Youlg kc, PAPUA NEW GtnNEA P.O,Bd522 P. Scottwbitc ThoDot6assa,FL3 US"{ Jurn Mlalb&Macirs Dcp{.Biohgic.l Scicrc.s TRAFFIC (sud^ncrica) TE)(AS Tec[ Univcrsity CharoonYoorg,rapalo.tr Carlo6Rorlo 1496/301 LubboclqTX 79409,USL SamurpratatrCrccodile Farn & Montcvidco fun URUGUAY Mcl Wilcy 555Mou 7, Taiba! Rd. FloddaGamc & FrcshWatcr Samurpratan,THAI.AND E icla Vilasran FlshCoomirsion Gn{o Galadrro lodustrial 62) S.Mctidir! sL t^'f 7^fdDn de Hoodurar,S-A- Talaiass€r, FL 323991600, zAn,r(,co| Apto, Postsl35t U.s.A. Edif. Corcas4Ofc. 503 Tcgucigalpa,HONDURAS Av. D10,la Matula PhtlipWillilsoa Cartagcn, COLOMBIA Dr. Kcrt Vlict 4(r/ Mc.ting SEc!| DcpL of Zoologt GcorgelowqSC 29,{40, U.s.d PaulW. Zajicck Uriic sity ofFlori& Roon 425,Malo Building Gaitrlsidlc, FL t611, U.S-A" JobnM. WiLEot Talahassc.,FL 339-0800, Narioral Goaodilc Masag.Ectrt usJ{" Dr. W. Ektc Waittusair Uoit hojed socodile au Zoo Dcpt. Esdronment& F. Willian Z. igler NarioaaldAbidjaa CoDActrlatio! Mctro@oo 01 BJ. q32 P.O.Bd 5266 12()0sw 152sr, AbU.! 01"WORY COAST BoroLo'PAIUA NEW GUINEA Miami FLK 3312 US-A- Petc!Watsoa Joh ll. (Jay)w. lor tuicl Zlbcr ctocodilc Crccl $4 Bay6borcDr. l(crya CrocodilcFanns Ltd P.O.Bd 178 Ta4or Sprilgs,FL 3,|64),US-A- P.O.Box E 73 Mai&tono 4380,SOUTH MoEbas4 KEI.IYA AFRICA Mart Wbc St AugustincAligator FaIm Howardzippbr RuascllWarrotr P,O.D.awEr E Sa!,r!['h Riwr Ecologrl,ab SuEaiDedManagemeSyltcEs S..Augustinc, IL 32AX P.O.Drarcr E liA Bti&[ A!c. ftf, Floor Atc4 SC29801, U"s..d Miari FL 3131, U'si. AIa! Woodward FloridaGaDc & FrashWater MauricioZuleta Dr. Graiaoc J.W.Webb Es[ Cotnissioa SustaiaedManageEent sysrens P.O.Bd 3151 Wildlif€ Re.scarchl,ab Apto.652t0 w-'[ncUic,NT Wl 4005S, Mai! Strcct Caracrs,VENEZT EIA AUSTRALIA Gaidcsvicr FL 3il60l"U.S-A- rri AN II{VESTIGATIONOT'THE ONTOGENY OF THE MIJIJ,ERIANDUCT REGRESS;OR AS WELL AS TIIE SENSIIVE PERIODIN THE AMERTCANALLIGATOR Hardct B. Austin Dcpartm€ftof olog' ad Physiolo&f, Uni&rsity of Wyoning lr rf,vaStlcxlroll oP ttrB olllocElty oF lllE llltt r.ERrlll DUcl nBda390n lS rrELfr Ag tHB gBtlStllvB PERTODlx ltlB lllaBfcAlf ILLIGAToR. nalrlet E! Austrn, Dept. of zooloEy and Phl.sloloEy, unlvclelty of 9fyonlng Tlrc nullc!lan ductr raglcs! ln nolt nalc vcltebrates a!u!lnE .nbll.ogcnesls. In Dalur|alg and bl,lds, legresslon results fron the actlons of thc t.rticuLat glycop!oteln, nuLler lan-lnhlbltlng subrtance (XIg). HIS ls p!oduced iroD thc t18e of testlcular dlffalentlatlon untll rcxual natulltyi howcvc!, the nullellan alucts ala only caPabLc of rccPgndlng duElng a brlef Parlod of dcvelopn.nt, th. nccnsltlvc pc!Iodn. UnfortqnatGly, lltt1e ls known about laglcssion ln othcr verteblates, hoievcr, testlculal grafts floE r0a1e hatchllng alltgatorr are able to lnduc. lrolnal Dul,lerlan-duct !Qgrqsslon when lnplanted ln castraled fenale hatchllngs (austln, 19891. Fulthclnore, the adnlnlat!atlon of testoctcron. do.s not lnduc. rcglcccloni th.!.folc, [qIle!ian-duct leErc!8lon ln th. all,tgato! aPp.arg to bc cauacai by soDc othe! tertlcular sub.tancc, posclbly an HIs-1Ik. ooleeul€. In thle expe!imcnt, qast!ated fetnalc hatchllnqc tere lBplanteal vrith te5tia grafts f!or! both hatchlInE and yQa!IIng nalqr to dctclnlne whcthe! thc lcaterro! Is stlll Ploduccal by thc tertca of yearl'lngs. tn addltlon, yea!1!ng fenal.s !lcatv.d te3tls tnPlante fron both hatchliog anal yealllng nales to tletctnlne whethcr the nuLlcllan ducts a!€ stl1l, capable of r.sgondlng to the reglesso! at ona y.al ot aEc. Both hatchllnE and yea!1lnE t!8t.t causcd son€ regresglon of tha ducts Indlcatlng that thc !eg!G3!to! l9 groduccd tor an cxtendad p.riod ol tloa aftcr hatchlng. In the yea!11n9 fenaleg, hotev.!, thc test13 glaf,ts b€canc hypcrtrophled and lost thcll typlcal testlcula! Dolphology. Tltelefolc, lt ltac not poasLbLc to detalnlne thc ontogeny of thc aensttlvc Pcrlod ln thc alllgato!. SEX RATIO OF AFRICA}TDWA-IIF CROCODILES (Otuohervt tetatpit COPE 1fit\ EXPIOITED FOR FOOD IN CONGO Olivier BEHRA kboratoirc dc.iReptilcs ct Amphibiers MusclrmN&io[,l dTlistoirc Nao&Uc 5 ru. Cuvier,75 005Paris Fratrcc INTRODUCTION _ Dudrg a studyor crocodilesi! thc CongoI foud in soEc captucd crocodilcsabou awo Ealcsfor orc fcDalc. War thaf sexratio thc samcil thc c,ild o, ras f duc to specinclr-olg tecbniqucsor othcr factoE ? n bar bca! s[owr that thc s€xratio of soec crocodilcpopulatiors averases 0j0 (COTT 196'1. grlers nieht difrcr up to 033 (HUTTON 1980),wirl a]emaleprcdooiniacc in tlis ese . Bcside,ir basbccr wcl &mo.st.ted that the temperat*c of incubati;derffts an inlluenceon rnesex detc.diDatioDof thc hatchlitrgs(WEBB et aI A8n. I! qdld . thc tcopcraturcva;atio$, ald po6siblyot!€i fadorg Eight ajsoafiect thc developmedof cEbryo6GruTION 1936).Thercforc it b noa€asy to gi; a ful accourtof thc factors rtrljucro|lg a s.a ratio, panio arly corcemiDga spccieslile Ostzolaemu,rcazspis, the biolos, of which is still vert poorlyl(lox/D- Ia vies of thfulact of iDforDatio4the foloqiry simplcobs€iearior mig[r be of soEc interesr tof tutEe rcscarchon thctlolog, of the spcciesin Coryo, espccialyc.oc€rniry the impad of tbe cr9rolauor on ttc latural popujation- STIJDYARE.fu Th! tso nair flwial aEs wicrc ttc crocodilcsarc usuallycollected for thc Eeat uacteare thc RivT ^Oban$/ an9-thc SarghaRiwr alorg wi& thc Co.go Rivcr;hto *hich thc rwo previoE ones -89-." |g.^}c T1" *a b aloDgtte shores&oE r-hcOubargui aad r-hc Cougo iron Impfondo (1" 3' Nonh lat. tT 5? Ea3tlotrg.) ro Mo6sala(f l0 Sourhtar. tE" Z EasrloDg:j. Thc 6ocodilc6arc &cP!alivc il snall villagcsscattcrcd aloDg rhc shorc,ard brouahrir pnogua3aboad two largccraft passirge3ch oDcc cricry fortnighr duriag ttc highwatcr seison Thc boat-goesto Brazavillq rlc capitat whcrr the pcoplein possessiorof crocodilessell theE or €at t[eE witliD tlc faEily cirdc. . - Thir studyody corccmedthc Oubarguiald lhc CoogoRiven from lmpfondoto Mossalaitr ttc p€liod bcts€€trltre tTrl ad thc tgtt of JuIy. METHODS Witi thc hclp of two Congolescvy'ater and Forest agc E all tie crocodilascooiog ooboard c,crc6rst locatedor arival, thcr ncaorc4 aadscrd by manualmcars at the cloaca(Braz.itis 1986) (a proccdurc*hich ras easysiac! all snioalawrrc adulh). Thc crocodilcstr€rc c,€ighcdwith a prccisiotrof 05 tg. RESTJLTS llB Oteolaaws teiaryis c&Ic coudcd but it wBsonly po6srblc to Deasurcand scx 50 of t[cD" A dcar prcdomhaftc of malesvras ohnenc4 lhc srr iatio bcilg 036 (32nalcsr 18fetnalcs), tho malcshad a! avErag.total lcDgthoI125,6 (d (tnat 1!t cor,mitr. 91 co, sd 1291)ad aa arcragcvrcighr of 835 kg (Ina! 15J fg nirt. 25 lg; sd293). Tho fcmale,rhad a! avcragctotal lcrgtt of flEa (n (dar 1:}7cro, mi!- 101co, sd926) ad an $eragc crcightof 6J kg (nax, 11L& Bi!. 35 kg; sd 1.9t. 10Dales of thc 32Dcasured showcd iniuric6 du! to 6ght! andhad soEetime,s up to half of thcn tail (l sFciEcr) or an cdtirc leg (2 sp.)6i DISCUSSION If thir rax ratio i5 rea.lythe samci! tlc wild odc ca! askhimsell shy? Until 6orc is tDowl abouttfub,o'log of [email protected], it wil b€ vcrydificult to iote.p.€t thc l,at'gpnuEbcr of dalcs capturcdalong thasc fiftt'. me Osteolszmus&a6Pis populatioDsir ccdral Atiaa do not apparcadyshow sod scxratio rtrwrd to*ard nale,s(BEHRA Frs. obs"198,f1986). ElEo if iDiuricsDigbi suggcstlargai coDccltratiodsof mal€sbccause of thcir suppo6cd aggrcssMt,,,qc realy dont a3r€t lnol' wtat thc rcal sexratio oI tlis populationaloDg those nvers digh Fcsibtv bc. Sodc cfficicrt tuntiDgtcchdquas used locally (BEHRA h prcp) arc bas€dor thc aggrcssivc rcspoorcof crocodilcsin tbcir bu.rows. Thcrcforconc Eight ecll ast the quastion:i5it becauscmales atc morc nalulaly aggrcssi!€that thcyarc captu€d morc easilythar females? In Soutl Ancrica Palrorrcrur a4wraalr is morphologicallyrclatirely clo6€ ard hasalnost thc samehabitat p.cfc.clcc astta! of Ort rtaaN, ir A&ica. Soit couldalso bc po6siblcthat as*ith PalaNaahls@c frab EiayBharc tciritory i! a soall sbcamrith Eary fcmalesard forc€ otlcr Eales to inhabitlargcr strcaos ad riiErs subjcdto iocalhutitrg ptcssurcby boat (MAGNUSSONp€rs. coE.). MorclEr, it scrn! therc b a mov€metrtof populaliodwhich Bualty startsat thc erd of Jtre whc! ttc ratcr ti& gocsup. Thc docodilcsmde from the mainrivcrs into the forqstaad setdc ia soall sa.cae& Ttcy arc norr calily capturci it the forcstand thc h$rtiDgseasoo last arcurd 4 Eodt\ urd thc cDdof Noffib€r. Docathfu oov€Dena of populatioaconccra both malcsaad fcoales af thc ramc time?Thb miglt bc alt othcr asFd sonh studyir& CONCLUSION It hasbcc! estirnatcd(BEHRA 1987)ttat duriDgthc aaaualfour montbsof cploitatioo aloag ahcOubotrgui, Sangha and Caago,furut3:N Osuola.n8 t?tzgtr rEr. browht on tic martct for food Thcrc L no doubtthat tberc b an in('casc in tb fuaadfot Otteola.tnusncat (BEHRA 1988). Socv€tr it wc cotrlid€i that thc Lilirg of Ealasis uualy of lc!6 importanccthatr thc Lillitrgof female! i! a crocodil,cpopulatioD, it couldbc of greatirtcre* to sody thcscpopulatioDs.s quiclly aspocsiblc. LITERATI'RE qTED: BEHRA O. $47. Etudc dc rcpartitiondrs populatiolsdc crocodibrdu Congo,du caboo ct & la R.C-A- Rat4ort au Mini*cra dc lElviroDcmdt Pari!. Frarc!. BEHRA O. 19EE.Rappon dc Eis.siotrd etudcct d aeclagcEcrt d! fc4 oitationd€s ctocodilca du Congo.Rapport ru Mdstcrc & I'EsvironcEcDt.Paria Fra[c!. BRAZAnIS PJ. 1968.Thc dcterminationol scxir livingcrocodilia$, BriL Jlcrpctol. 4: 5+58. COTT H.B. 196LScicotific rcsulB of ar inquiryinto thc e.do6/ ard ccommicstatu6 of ttc lc crocodilc(Crocodylus dilotiq$) h Ugardaand Nortf,cE Riodesia"T.ars, Zool. Soc Lndo!" 2q 211-356, HUTTON J.l!{. 1qfr. Incubatio!tcDpcraturg scx ratio andscx dcterEidation id a populatiooof nile (Iafrdil(s (hcdytus nitaticus).J. Z.ooLLol!4(1987) 211 141155, WEBB GJ.W. Anil BEAI* S.C.MANOLIS andKB DEMPSEY19a7. Thc cfrcds i*lbatioa 't of tcEFratl|tr oo s€xaletermiDation and cEbrloric dev€lopoctrt Ctao.lyhrsiolnstoni 8d C poron6. in: Wildlifc Mr."gepctrc Crccodile ard Aligator& c4 cJ. W. WEBB, S,c. MANOLIS andPJ. TI'HITEHEAD. pbl Surrct Bcatty& Sois Pq Lmr pp 5@-31. IMPACT OF LEGAL PROTECIION ON CROCODILESIN MADAGASCAR OSEHRA c\o F"\O. Rep. BP 3971AdtaDaMrirc MADAGASCAR htrodu.tioE - _ - At tbc bcgbaingof tlc ccnturysocodilcs (Cncodyfus , oilrts) wf/.econsidcred verEin in Madagasc.r.Thcir co6Ee.cial crq'loitationir the 195OswEs coDsidera6le. Ttc first conscrvauoa mcaducba3 bcr! ilterlatio[al ir tlt5 ard aEcndedin 1985a,rd 198g, It's irtcrestingto aotc thc impaatthasc Ecasor6 hadod cfic.tirE coDs€rvatiorof the aocodiles. Method6i Thc legaltcr publishedsilc€ the cDdofthc 19thcentury have bcea rcviewed. To determine their iEf'ad o! thc-crocoditc populatioas, the hiltorical erclutiooof thcsclopulatioDs has b€en anaDzcd._Thfu br6 bc€udonc ftom old publishcdpapcrs, custoE da(a oD c.drtatioD, discussiooswith p€.plc eifh rclchnt lcMrledgc,aad fna.lly ftom aulysesof thc currentsituation in tle ficlc Resultsard dis6{a6ior. During colodal rulc aocodilerrcIr corsidr&d vE min ad at th€ eDdof the 19thccnluw thc Frcrch autboriti.soficcd a boung fo. tho dqst ction ofcrocodilqsard th€ir eggs,par: Eorc eggs qrrc coucdrd tba! thc a io.itica couldafiord payirgboutrty or ard thc systesw;-dis.! inue4 Con$€rcirl cNqloitatio!startcd ir thc $a),s. E4loitation rcacheda pcat h tle late 194Osbut contilucd wcll inro thc 19Oc Duriagtnir pcriodthe UalagasyGoecmdcnt forEalized the sfatusof thc crocodilra5 vrmin i! tbc lcgidado! in ll)6fl By llrr0 €xploitatiotrhad .ucb aDimpact lhan oftal@s6on tf,c wild werc lessthan 1% of tle lcvclsb thclafc fortics. Ir 19?5Madagascar ratifed the Wastilgto! Codvcntioo(CnES), whic! conridcrcd.d€lilc aocodib (C,eodlhts nilotitttt) I threatcncdaa4 conscqueotlyprohibited sF.iEcrs in x,orldEadc. HoD/Evcrthc 'nif,'l. statusremaincd un .lrercdwithin Oral evide[cestorgly :oSC.* tbrt po-p-uLtiolsquicl'ly recovcrcd ftod 195. By 1985populatioD! r,€re thriviagthough far fron their lsd in earlicr timcsbut ctroughto po6crcal problenr io humaapopulationJ Herc wc note that the fad tbat gunsard hook c/rrr rot obriitrablcar tlat tiDc ccrtaiElypiayed no snall pan h this I! 19&5Madrg car lras alowedby CITESa quotaof m sEDsfor ergort. B€tc,€ca1986 and 1989thc ouobcr of admalsadurlv ldlcd tr ldci thc origi[al quotaby Eorc tlan 6!'c tiEcs. Thc quotacarried no sizerc,rrrictiotr ard largc numbcrof rcproducivcanimals werr killed to thc detriDe ofti€ wild populatioa h 198Etbr intcrtrallegisl,atio! vE6 altc.cd to gir& thc qo€odilc a degrccofprotcation a6 a gamcaninal Hwcvcr thascstcF iladcquatcto satisrythc partiesto CITES andat the 1990mcctilg ro fuihcr eild $rota wa! alored. Durirg botl p.dio& that docodilc eeloitatiod *a! eloudin Madagas€t,crocodiles ha!€ bccn ovcrharsted aadsedously deplcacd. Tha obiviou!itf€reocc ir that comnadal crploitatiodfor eryort ofslirs shoutdbc avoidcdir ordrr to conscriedocodil€s. But this is oErsidplirtic anddight cvcnbc counterproducirc,Evctr il no cryo.t6 arc all@Edtleir existsa livelylocal natket Oat has orpardad6incc 194, artdwiic.h rculd easu.rtta cortinuatiooofcNqloitatio!. Eveawith a &tcrmiacd wildlifc D€partdcat tbis localEarkct is ltry di6o t to coDtrolaDd it is uDlilcly that thc localtradc coufdbc atoppcd.In a,tycasc local pcoplc stil couitcr that crocodilc,rshould bc ererEinatcd bccausccrlca though crocodilc populatioG havc dc.linci, huma! populatiolahrvc drasatically incrcascdaad conllicr rcnah at a bighlcvEl l\rbilr huEan! atrdthcir livcstoctarc beiry ki cd by cocodilcs,it ir rot possibleto ast them to li!€ lriti the aniDalbccausc of his .rological or cstietic ralue! Th3 wildlifc Dcpathc bccaurcof lacl of oatcdal rcsourcli ir hard Fcsscderca to ma[agcNatiolal Pa*s, c&ctc therc areb anyc.5€ f€v (iocodiLJ SoobvioDsly le8al prorcdioo wil oot stoptho pcoplebr€aliry ctocodile'scggr ard tryingas had aspcsrblc !o til aI thc aocodilas. EiEn ir rctircd arcaswherc thcy mi8fuoot bc ablc to till big rnihrl., thc ins€asingusc of sandbank alo[g watercdg! by fsterDeo o. .icc qttii'ators will drirc brccdingfeoales away Aoo gooddastiDg sitar. I crricsr l'it! peoplcwho hare had relatiics killcd by Gocodilg andwho havepetitiotr tie gor€n|tnc.ntto cxterEinatcthcm, havc indicated quitc clcart tlat theyeould b€ moretol€tatl if they couldbctrcft ecoaodicalt fron *iLd csocodil€s. whilc cotrtiluilg to discouagcthc tiling of wild ardEal6pcoplc can bc givcr an ittercst itr prascningcrocodilcs through tho captuc of Fobleo ariEals aadthc collertionof eggsfo. ruching. TI LETAi4I NE- ZOLAC EPA14-AC EPROMAZ I NE.ANAESTHES IA IN cR0c0- DYLUSNILOTICUS '/l|ITH REGARD TO THE RESPIRATORYAND CARDIO- VASCULAR S YSTEI4S K.H. Bonath*, R.D. Hal ler"*, .t. Bonath , D. AmeI ang Chirurgische Veterinerklinik der Justus-Liebig- universitet, Frankfurter Str. 108, 6300 GieRen, FederaI Republic of Gernany EaobabFarrn Ltd, P0-Box81995, IttombasaKenya 25 ranched crocodiles (crocodylus niloticus; body weight 2 - 40,5 kg, J SD 10,6:8,8 kg) of the Baobab-Farnin It'lombasa,Kenya were anaesthetized with a combinationof the anaesthetics tiletamine-zolacepam (ZoletilR, 5 - t0 mg/kg bodyweight) and acepromazine(VetranquilR, i ng/kg oooy- veight). The injection ldasperforned I ljl at the base of the tail using a blor{pipe. To accelerate the nuscular resorp- tion 50 I.U. of hyaluronidase per aninal were addedto the injection. The investigations were cdrried out in August 1989 at an environnental tenperature between25,7 ! 2,g"C (22,2 - 31,9. C). The quality of anaesthesia was checked using muscular relaxation, righting reflex (tolerance of dorsal recum- bancy), biting activity, avoiding reactions (after painful stinulation of the toes, nail bed or interdigital iissues) palpebral and corneal reflexes (figure). It was found that whereas5 - 6 ng ti I etani ne-zoI acepamI ead to a moderate, 7,5 mg cause a moderateto deep and 10 mg/kg b.w. a deep sedati on. Table shows the effects of 7.5 resp. 10 ng tiletamine- zolacepan on cardiovascular and respiratory parametersof a selected numberof aninals. The significant changes of the cardiovascular and respiratory functions have only mininal importance fron a medical point of vielr. The in- creased heart rate is due to the specific pharmacological influence of t i I et am i ne - zo I az e p a m , which has a positively inotropic effect on the contractility of the heart rnuscle; furthermore heart rate is increased by the rise in environmental temperature. The significant depression of respiratory rate is a typical consequenceof anaesthe- sia, but clinicaly relevant only in aninal patients with respiratory or circulatory diseases and/or if combined with a drastic reduction of the oxygen saturation over a longer period of tine. The eI ec t r oc a r di og r am s performed on 3 animals of every dosage-groupshowed no indication of changesdue to anaesthesia. Metabolism and excretion of the anaesthetics are only possible in an optimat ray in the environmental tenpera- tures prefered by the crocodile (Bonath 1977, 1979). Ihe animals should therefore be keot at a temDeraturebetween 29 and 31 degrees centigrade during anaesihesia recovery. During anaesthesia, the environmental temperature must never be lower than 26 degrees; in this case, the eli- mination of the anaesthetics is liBited in the crocodile, so that anaesthesia is prolonged unnecessarily and the danger of death duri ng anaesthesi a exists. Reflexfunction is impaired considerably or not existent. changes in respiratory dnd cardiovascular functions do not have clinical consequencesin healthy crocodiles. This meansthat a tiletanine-zolaceDam-aceDromazineanaesthesia pernits the safe execution of farmtechnical treatments and animal husbandry for man and animals as well as smaller painful veterinary procedures. It can be used as a pre- nedication for mo|"epainful surgical procedLres which can be supplementedwith local anaesthesia or intubation and inhalation anaesthesia. 7,5 mg t i I et am i ne - zo I az e p a m + l mg acepromazi ne/kg b.ri. 0 60 120 1€0min.post.inj. 40,7 ! o oao\ 45,2! 6,4(9 ) 49,3t 4*(e) sz,11 AF 8,1 t 2,8(8) 7 ! 5,4I z,t*0) q,aI 2,3 (6) t 3 77,7 : 11,1(9) 79,9 J 7,5(9) + + + BT 25,4 27,2 2,0 28,6 2,7 10 mg t i I et am i ne - zo I az e p a n + l mg acepromaz i ne/kg b.li. (8) .t + + HF 42 2,6 46,3 3,6 45,8 AA 48,1 a2 + + AF 6,4 J 2,6 + %az 78,5t ,to ?qt I 6,1 78 1 80,1 4,5 + + BT 0,4 0,7 27,1 0,8 274 0,7 taDle Influence of ti I et am i ne - zo I at ep a n / ac e p r om a z i ne anaesthesia on heart- (HR), respiratory rate (RR) per ninute and oxygene saturation of the blood (S0r) of crocodylus niloticus. 'C BT ='C body temoerature. In Darenthesis nunber of animals. Min post inj. = ninutes after i nj ec t i on . St ud e n t ' s t-test for independentsamples: * = significance < 0,05, r* = significance < 0,01 Figure: Quality of t i I et an i ne - zo I az e p a n / ac e p r om a z i ne - an - aesthesia (10/1,0 mglkg b.w.) in crocodylus ni- loticus, judged by muscle relaxation, reflexes and biting activities. (+) biting activity, reflex unchanged (t) muscle tension, reflexes, biting activities part ly reduced (:) severeI y reduced (-) no muscle tension or biling activities 10 -N N - -so 3 ri N cll : N or E -8j q z. -9F'o Ao Ld F o | .. -c\ l-j- Ebl ,V' Z z a=r, r N -o .1-- <. (rO -8 .CL IJ- IJ a) c) -8 (-> -< -o 11 Reference s BONATH,K. , 1977: Narkoseder Reptil ien, Anphibien und Fische. P. Parey, Berl in, Hanburg BONATH,K., 1979: Halothane inhalat ion anaesthesia in rontila< rn.l ii< cl inical control. Int. Zoo Yearbook 19, 113 - 125 L0VERI0GE,,1.P. a. D.K. BLAKE,1972: Techniquesin the imrnobilisation and handling of the Nile Crocodile, Crocodylus niloticus. Arnoldia 5, 1- 14 Ackn ow I ed g eme nt s The authe|"s say special thanks to Christoph Hahn from Ntirnberg, Fed. Rep. Gernany, to Juliet King, Gooseberry Hill, Australia and 0aniel Taubert, Lenzburg, Switzerland for kind suDDort THE INFLUENCEOF GALLAMINEON I II11 OB I LI SA T I ON . CARDIOVAS- CULARAND RESPIRATORYPARAI4ETERS OF CROCODYLUSNILOTICUS K. H. Bonath, I. Bonath*, n.D. Haller**, D. Anelang Chirurgische VeterlnArklinik der Justus-Liebig- UniversitAt, Frankfurter Str. 108, 6300 cieRen, FederaI Republic of cernany EaobabFarn Ltd, P0-Box81995, ttombasaKenya 14 Crocodylus niloticus (body weight 27 to 58,5 kg, M 1 SD = 35,6 J g,O t The possibilities for safe handling of the animals were judged according to the duration of immobilisation, muscle relaxation and biting activity. The muscle relaxation was achieved after l5 to 30 minutes. with individual diffe- rences, and had a durat i on of 90 to 295 minutes. excep- tionally up to 450 minutes. 0uring the examination period, spontaneousor occasional sluggish weak movenentsdue to experimental minipulations were seen. Biting activity ceased8 to 15 mi nutes after the injection and l{as dbsent for the duration of muscle relaxation. In selected animals the influence of gallamine on cardio- vascular and respiratory functions was studied (table). Heart rate, respiratory rate, and oxygen saturation denonstrate, that the influence of the immobilisation with gallamine on the vital functions of crocodylus niloticus is negligible from a veterinary point of vievi. The res- piratory rate was significantly depressed, but this ls a reaction r/hich can be attributed to gallanine as the mus- cles used in respiration are also subject to the neuro- muscular blocking. Ho{evef, the oxygen saturation was not influenced; the reasons for this phenonenonhave not yet been found. The respiratory specialities of a species adapted to longer diving, as well as changes in the neta- bolism in crocodiles immobilised yith gal.lamine leading t0 a decreaseof the need for oxygen have been suggested. 0 20- 40 50 70 m-lm nin.post.lrE HR 1)7 8,6(e ) 32,9t 6,6(8 ) 31,2 ! 7,4(11) + RR 3,9 l r 147\ u 1 1,0(7)* 1,6: 1,1(7) 2,6 t 1,2(7) + + %02 76,3 t(r?i \ 7( o 10,2(7) 79,8: 6(8) 78,4: 4,9(9 ) + + BT 0,7 27,1 1,6 263 ! 1,4 Table: Influence of gallanine on heart-(HR), respiratory rate (RR) per ninute and oxygenesaturation of the blood (%02) of crocodylus niloticus. BT = oC body temperature. In parenthesis numberof aninals. l'1in. post. inj. = minu- tes after injection. Student's t-test fo|" independentsa|n- ples, * = significance < 0,05, ** = significance < 0,01. 14 References - BONATH, 1977: Narko se der Reptilien , Amphibien und Fische. Parey, Berlin, Hamburg. L0VERIDGE,J.P. a. D.K. BLAKE,1972t Techniquesin the inmobilisation and handling of the Nile Crocodile, Crocodylus niloticus. Arnoldia 5, | - 14 't989: SCHRADER,S.K. u. R. HALLER, Immobilisierung von Crocodylus niloticus mit callamin Triethiodid - Ein Arbeitsbericht, Verh. ber.3l. Int. Symp. Erkr. Zoo-. llildtiere. Akademie-Verlag, Berl in l{00DF0RD,l,l.H., t97l: The use of Gallamine triethio- dide as a chemical imnobilizing agent for the Nile Crocodi I e (Crocodylus nitoticus). E. Afr. Iildl. J. 10 67-70 15 EXTENDEDMAINTENANCE OF AMERICAN ALLIGATORS ONA DRYFORMULATED RATION L IEI{8' BRISBIN, JR.I. CLARK D. MCCREEDY', EOWARD S. ZIPPLERI, AND MARKA.STATONz rsavenEb River EcologyLaboratory, p.O. Drawe. E, Aiken, South Carolina 29801.USA 2Mainlend Hotdiag Compsny Ltd., P.O. Box 196, Lae, Morobe,papua New Cuinea 16 BRISBIN.l ABSTRACT Nineteen youag American alligators (Allieator E!EdSS!!p!9!giE)wele successfullymaiutained for a period of40 mouths following hatching, on a diet consistingexclusively of a commercially prepared dry fomulated ratioq. This ratioa wasfonaulated to coatain a minimun of 48.0%crude protein, a miaimum of g.0%of clude fat ald a maximum of2.5% crude fiber aud was readily acceptedby the alligaton after beiag nixed w.ith arr equal weight ofwater to form a tbick pasty pellet€dcrunble. Growth rate ofbody weight of ttre ratiotl.fed alligators dicl not differ signilicaatl.y from that reported for captive alligators fed on standard diets of meat ald fish, even ttrough the ratio!-f€d alligators were raised uDder less than ideal conditions. As the alligators becane larger, feed wastage ittcreasedas a resul.t ofba&pling of uteaten food. A! importalt area for further researchwould be the developneut ofless wasteful methodsofdelivering such formulated rations to larger aninals. It shoul.dnow be possiblehowever to raise alligators on a diet consistiag e:dusively ofa dry formulated ratioa whicb will be readily accept€dby the arimals aad which will maiatair. them in a geBeral state of goodhealth, over a length of time su.6cient to attain Earket size. L1 BRISBIN.z INTRODUCTION Increasedilterests in the commercialfarmiog/ranching of crocodilians have resulted in many advatrcesi! techtiques for the maintenaace and reariag of tb.ese animals iu captivity. Ar importaat componeatofthis tecbnology has bee! advances iu the area ofnutrition alld particularly the developmeatofdry formulated rations for useil the feedingofcaptives. As hasbeel pointcd-outin previousstudies (Stato! andEdwards, 1987; Statoq 1988;Statoa et al., 1989;Statonet al., ia pressa, b, c, d), such foraulated rations offer maay adva[tages to the coD lercial farmer/ranche!. Theseadvaatages over staDdald diets ofmeat or fish iaclude greater conver ence, reducedstorage atrd haadling costsand particularly a greater ability to control the nature atrd amounts of importa.dt dietary coustitueEtssuch as protein, fats, vita.:oins a.ndvarious trace luhieats. To date however, most all ofthe studies describing the performanceofcrocodilians fed theserations have dealt with animals ofa very - yo\urgage usually lessthan oneyear. (Staton,19gg; Staton et al., 1999;Staton et al., ia pressa, b, c,d). This report describesthe successfulEailrtenalce ofa group ofArnericao aUigators (4r!liggl&! mississippieusis)ou a diet consisting erclusively of a dr5r fonoulated ration, for a period of40 months followiag hatcbing. This time period is ofa length that would approrimate or exceedthat which would be required by most comnercial fanaing operatious to raise alligators to a marketable size and also extendsacrcss the important age at which a growiag wildjuvenile alligator would normally make a transition from a.ninsecViavertebrate diet, to one cousisting mostlyoflarger vertebrateprey (Coulsonaad llernandez. 1983). 18 BRISBIN-3 MATERIALS AND METHODS The alligators usedia tJeisstudy were the sameindividuals which had been us€das hat hliDgs in previousiy published studies ofgrowth perfonnance under variousdieta4r regimes ofdry formulat€drations (Staton, 19gg; Staton et al., in pressb, c, d). In the present study no attenpt waa made to differeatiate betweenttre difrerent dietary treahnents to rvhich individual alligators had beeaerposed during theseearlier feeding trials. Most ofthese earlier trials were ofa relatively brief duration (usually 10-20weeks) relative to the length of t}te study reported here, aad a number of the iadividuals were used ia more ttran one feeding trial alrd were thus exposedto a variety ofcoatrolled variatious in dietary compositionduriug this period. lhe alligators usediu this study were hatched from wild-l.aid eggsfrom Iouisiana. Further details cotcerning the program from which these alligators were producedhave been provided by Joaneaand McNease (19??). Additional infornation concernilrgthe coaditioDsunder which the alligators were houseda-nd raised duriag theL first year have also beer provided elsewhere(Statoa, 19gg). Severalweeks after conclusioaof th.efinal formal feeding trial, 20 alligators were tralsferred to the Aquatic Anima] Eousiug Facility of the Savanna-hRiver Ecology laboratory (SREL) wbere they were housedfor tleeduration ofthis study. One of theseaaimals was later eutha-uiz€dfollowing injuries suffered during an aggressive encouaterwith oue ofits larger pea-mates. No data froa this individual. have beerl included ia the growth aaalysesreported here. 'While at tbe SREL,alligators were housed in tanks ofE, 5 a.udl0 arimals each, with ar attempt being made to houseindividuals of simila! size togetier in order to miaimize the coasequencesofaggressive encountersdurilg feeding. The holdiag tanks provided floor spaceof 1.5 E2lirdividual. Water depths raaged from 0.23-0.31 BRISBIN.4 !r, alrd varied accordingto the sizeof the alligators. Tants were equippedwitb. woodeabasking platforms occupyingbetween g-2g%of the lloor surface aleas- Each tan! was provided with a continual flow ofpartially preheatedwater, Eith watertenperatures which variedseasonally between 22.0_2g.3 .C tbroughout tbe study. Air t€mpelatures also varied seasonally as a result of an ittability to completelyheat or coolth€ building in which the animalswere housed, especially duriag the frrst year after the alligators arived at the SREL. Duriag this period air t€Eperatu!€s were occasionally as high as 50.C and as low as lO.C in the building depndiag on the season.DuriBg the last 19 months ofthe preselt study, il!.proved temperaturecontrols in the SREL housilg facility reducedvariability in air teltperatures to a raage ofabout l8-B?.C throughout the year. Translucent rooling ofthe housing facility exposedall alligatorc to seasonally-varyiag photoperiods typicalofthe latitude ofAiken, SouthCarolina. Throughout their 8l-month ma.intenarce at the SREL, alligators were maintained erclusively oa a dr;r formulated conmercial alligator ration (Burris FeedMills, Franklinton, Louisiaaa) which, accord.ingto the manufacturer,s spedfrcations,contaiaed a minirnun of45.0qocrude proteia, a miuimum of g.07o crudefat aad a maximum of 2.5%crude frber. Iagredients, also according to t.he marufacturefs specilicatious, iacluded fish meal, blood meal, cora gluten meal, hydrolyzedfeather meal, dehulled soybeanmeal, grouad corn, wheat midd.liag:, stabilized aaimal fal sal! calciu.rncarboBate, vitamin A supplemeut, D-activated 'hihal sterol,vitaniu B-12supplement, vitamin E supplemeat,Riboflavin supplemeut,choliae cbloride, aiacin, calciun pantothenate, vitani! B_6 supplement,ascorbic acid, biotia, meaadionesodium bisulfrte, sodium selenite, femussulfate, zinc oride, coppersulfate, mangalous oxide aad calcium iod.atc. This dry feed was mixed with aa equal weight ofwater to produce a thick pasty pelleted crumble. At the SREL, alligators were oflered this food every g-4 days (twic€ a week) BRISBIN.6 tbroughout the warmer months iu 198? aad 1988uatil, with decliuing photoperiod arrdcooler air temperatures, the alligato.s stoppedfeeding. In 1gg9, feeding frequencieswere decreasedto onceevery 7-10 days. Feeding activity geuerally ceasedbetween September-November aEd resumedagain betweenFebruarjr-March eachyear, as air t€Eperatures waraed t,Lefollowiag spring Moistenedfood was present€din a flat hay which was placedon the bastiag platforo in' the rnid-late a&ernoon,and left overaight, although alligators usually emergedand bega! feeding almost immedi.tely. Amou!.ts offeed offered were adrust€das the alligators gr€w, to insur€ that an excessoffeed would still be available the lext morniag after the aaimals had stoppedfeediag- As will be discussedlater however, by tJretime that feeding activity ceased,much of the uaeaten feed had beenpacked-down iato tbe tlay as a result of the alligators crawliug over the feed a-Edpr€ssing it dowr with their bodies. The feed was broke!- up with tongs tbe following morning a.ndsone subsequelt feeding resumedon this qumbled feed. Eventually however, tJris rebroken feed becane hard a-uddried and was!o longer acceptedby tJrealligators, Aa a result, someofthis rernaining feed may not have actually beenavailable to the aaimals aDd anouats offeed ofered were tberefore increasedin an effort to minimize this possibility. Alligators were weighed aad measuredduring the period tbat they were used iu earlier feediag Grialsaccordiag to the schedulesaud proceduresdescribed by Staton(1988) and Statonet al. (i! press,b, c, d). After their arrival at the SREL, alligators were weighed appro:irnately 5 times betweeaOctober-December, 1982 atrd3 tines at 1-4month intcrvals betweenJanuary-July 1988. Begiaairg in July 1988,both weights ard t tal body lelgths were recordedat approrimately 8-month ilt€rvals through Jaruary, 1990. At the SREL, body weights were recordedto the uearest 0.1 kg with a halging spring scale,ard total body lengths were measured from the tip ofthe saout to tlle tip of the tail t! the Eearest0.1 cm- Data for growtJrin BRISBIN.6 bodyweight were oaly available in sulficient quantity for quaatitative aaalysis for 1l individuals. Body length data from the first mooth alter hatching were oaly available for 7 iadividuals, and this together with a lack ofbody leugth data between 1-2years of age,resulted ia body length being presentedand coopared with pubushedliterature values in only a qualitative fashion. Growtb ia body weight was aaalyzed by staldard regressionaaalyses (pROC REG)ofSAS (1985). Regressionstatistics were used to evaluat€ the fit ofdata to liaear, quadntic, lrr (weight) a'rrdln (age)nn (wsig51; !r.t rs. Ajter selectiag the mostappropriate model, the growth of th,eration-fed alligators was comparedto that ofother captive alligators raised oq staldard diets - usually consisting ofmeat ald/or fish. The latte! data was ta&ea Fon that summarized by Brisbin (ia press) aad iacludes date from the following sources:Arthur (1928), Ditnars (1936), Bothe (1948),Brandt(1948), Palner (1952),Dowlingaad Brazaitis(1966), Coulson et al. (1973)and (Joaaeaet al. (1981). No differeacesdue to sexwere coosidered in any of theseanalyses. Oncethe most appropriate r€gressionmodel had been selected,the PROCGLM aaalysis ofSAS (1985) was used to comparegrowth rates of lhe dietary F€atnert groups, using the F-value for th.eitteraction of the treatment classx the independentvariable (age). RESULTS Th'er$ults ofr€gressiou aualysesof data for glowtA i! body weight by the alligators maiatained on the dry formulat€d ration ale presentedin Table I and Figure I, arrd growtl in total body length ofthe samealligators is preseatedia Figure 2, in comparisonto published data for captive alligators raised on statrdard diets of meat a.nd/orfish. The h (weight)/ln (age)Eodel was selectedas the most BRISBIN.? appropriateto alalyze for gowth i! body weight, with this seleciiotr being made on the basisof R2values (Table 1) and examinations of the magritudes aDdpattems of residuals. Usiag this model, there was no signilicaat difference in the rate of growth iu bodyweight of the alligators raised oa th.eformulated ration for 40 months, vs. that ofalligators report€d ilr the lit€lature as being raised on staadard diets ofneat or frshfor tJresame period of time (F = 1.12;df= 1,120;p = 0.29). With the exception ofthe single alligator which was euthanized as a result of injuries incured duriug a frght as aoted above,no mortalit5r was observedduriag tbis study, aud all 19 iadividuals remaiaed ia a state ofgeaeral goodhealth aud vigor at the end ofthe 4o-!ro!th study period. With tbe erceptiou ofthe colder riater mouths whea all alligators ceasedfeeding as temperatures decliaed in the housiugfacility, acceptanceof the fonnulated ration, prepared and prese4tedas desqibed above.was excellent Whea eating the prepared ration, alligatprs often iqitially swallowed the filst moutbfuls offood oa the baskiug platfonn while at the feediag tray. As the feeding bout contiaued however, later mouthfuls of food would be chewedand swallowed a-fterr€hrming to the water. This resulted in considerablewaste and fouling of the trate! as the feed teDdedto break-apart aad disperseinto the wat€r as a result of the chewingaction. In addition, feed on tb.ebaskiag plaform teaded to be packedflat as time progressed,by the actioa of the altgaton crawlilg back aledfortb over the feedingtray as they le& q:rd reentered the water. A.lthough tJrealligators showed considerableskill in usiug sidewaysbites with theirjaws to pick-up even single pellets of the feed (which were ofcyUadrical fota, measuring apploximately 1.2 cm ia diameter x 2.0 cIn in leagth), oncethe feed was uo longer in a pelletcd form and had beenpacked flat into the feedilg tray, it seeDedto becomeunavailable to then - again resulting in wastage,which was Ddltimized to solneextent by breakiD,g-upthe peckeddowa feed witJr tongs the following morning, as describedabove. BRISBIN.8 Ia additior to the 4O-mouth-oldalligators describedabove, the samedr5r formulated ration, after being similady prepared and presented,was also readily acccptedby a larger alligator which was housedin a separat€tank in the same housiag facility at the SREL. This larger alligator, which had bee!. usedin a variety ofother studies unrelat€d to the work reported here, had previously bee!. lra"intailed on a diet oflreat altd lish. Starting in February 19g9 however, this larger alligator wasfed erclusively on the dry commercial ration. After 14 months on this ration, this alligator weighed 28 kg aad measuredl.g5 m in total leagth. The weighVlengtb relationship ofthis alligator was sinilar (within 1.6 kglm) t! that which would have beeapredicted by a regressioarelationship preseatedby Coulsonet al. 0923) for alligators ofthis size which were fed mariae fish aud were consideredby these authors to be in a "well-nourished state.. This suggeststhat the dry ration provid.ed a! adequatedi€t even for a.ualligator oftleis size. When feeding on the prepared ratioa, this larger alugator showedsim ar behavior to tbat describedabove for the maller animals. Evea this larger alligator was able to pick-up the pellets olfered, albeit wittr somedifliculty, by agaia usitrg a sidewaysaction oftJrejaws. DISCUSSION The conditions under which tJrealligators used in this study were mailtained were,ia mauy respects,much less than ideal in comparisonto thosecuneutly kaowo to proEoteha-ifrum growth uadercaptive couditioas (e.g, Joaaen et al., 19g1). This was particularly true with regard to tJreiaability to maiatain optimal air aad water telrperatrres in the housing facility during Euch of the study - resultiag i! the alligators ceasingto feed duriag the colder months. Nevertheless,none of these deficienciespreveatcd the alligators maintained oa the drjr forqulated ratioa Foo BRISBIN.9 glowitrg iIr body weight at t&e samerate as captive alligators fed staldald diets of Eeat or fish. Alligators maiatained on the formulated ratiol remained il a geaeral state ofvigor and goodhealth for 40 months following hatching - a period of time that would, uader most curreut conditiotrs ofcrocodilian husbandry, be sufficient to produceari'nals ofmarketable size. Moreover, the lesstha.a adequateconditioas uuder which the alligators were raised in this study would argue strottgty that the glowth rates obsewedfor theseanioals should be consideredminimal as compared to thosewhich could probably be produceduader more ideal bousiag conditioas - particularly with regard to more adequat€control of air ald water temperatures. The feeding bebavior of the alligators used ia this study resulted i! two Eajor sourcesof feedwastage: (1) dispersal offeed into the water as a result of the alligators retunning to the water to chew aad swallow, and (2) packing the moisteaed feedllat into ttre feeding tray as a result of the alligators crawling over it as they lett andreeutered the water. Both ofthesesources ofwastage could probably be sigailicantly reducedif sone form of water-resistant biBder could be incorporated into the ration and./orif the feedcould be extruded into somefonn of digestible casing material such as that used il the production ofsausage. Thesewould seemto be fruidul areas for future resealch a'rrdtechnologlr development in this field. Recenily, D. E. Burris (pers.comm.) provided uapublished data suggesting that Anerical alligators on celtailr fanns in Louisia-aawere showing growth rates of 2.5cuo./week and feed./gainweight conversionratios of2.2:1, while alsobeing raised o! a diet composederclusively ofa dr;r formulated ratiou coutaining 457oprotein. When combinedwith the results ofthe preseut study, these findiDgs suggestthat the techuology is now curently available to economically raise such alligators to market size whjle feeding nothing other thau a dr5rcomoercially-prepared ration. BRISBIN-10 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Earlier portions of this study were supportedby a graat from t,LeLouisiaEa Departnent ofWildlife aad Fisheries to the Uaiversity of Georgia Research Foutldation,Iac., Eatch funds allocated to the Uliversity of GeorgiaAgricuttural Erperimeat Statioa ard a coltract (DE-ACO9-76-SROOg19)between the Uaiversit;r ofGeorgia aad the United States D€parb!.eut ofEnergy. W€ are glat€ful to Ted Joanel ard Lar5r McNeasefor helpful advice aad support throughout all phasesof this sork and to If. M. Edwards, Jr., Jerry A. Cberry, Joe W. Crim, Leo S. Jensen aad RoyJ. Martin for advice ald encourageDo.eltduling the early stagesof developmentofthe dry ration. 26 B SBIN-II LITERATURE CITED Arthur, S. C. 1928. The Alligator. La. Dept Conserv.Bult. 18:165-186. Bothe,A. 1948. RossAllen's Reptile Iastitute. publication ofRossAllen,s Reptile Institut€. Silver Springs, f,L. Brardt, L. 1948. Attack by a pet alligator. Eerpetologica 4:218. Brisbia,I. L., Jr. I.uPress. Growth curve alalyses aid their applicatior to the colservation ald captive ma-uagemettofcrocodilians. proc. gth Working Meetiagofthe fUCN CrocodileSpecialist Group, F. W. Kiag (ed.).publ. Intera. Union Conserv.and Nature and Nat Res. Gla-ud,Switzerland. Coulson,T. D., R. A. Coulson atrd T. Ilernandez. 19?8. Someobservatiols on tJre growth of captive alligators. ZoologicaSg:46_b2. Coulson,R. A. and T. Eernaadez. 1983. Alligator metabolism-studieso! chenical reactions !g giyg. PergallloB press, Odord, Eltgla-Dd. Ditran, R. L. 1936. The Reptiles ofNorth America. Doubleday, Doran & Conpaay, I.n.c.Gardea City, Ny. DowLiag,E. G. and P. Brazaitis. 1966. Size and growth in captive crocodilians. I!ter:o. Zoo Yearbook 2:265-270. Joaaen,T. and L. McNease. l9??. Artilicial incubatio! ofalligatrr eggsand post hatching culture in coatrolled eaviroamental chambers. proc. gth Alnuat Meet. World Mariculture Soc.,Sa.rr Jose, Costa Rica, Jaa. l9g?. Joaaen,T., L. McNease,J. Tarver andJ. Behler. 19g1. Captivepropagatio! of Alligators in Louisiana. Mimeo. Tert ofpresentatio!. Itrt€rn. Ilerpetol. CoDgr. Odord, Eaglard. Pa-bner,E. L. 1952. Reptiles.Coraell Rural SchoolL€aflet4E:1_31. SASIlstitute,Inc. 1985. SAS UserrsGuide: Statistics, Versioa EEditiou. Cary, NC. /, BRISBIN.T2 Statou, M. A. 1988. Studies ou the use of fats aad carbohydratesin the diet of Americanalligators (Allieator mississippiensis).ph.D. Dissertatiou, Universitlr of Georgia, Athens. Staton, M. A. ald E. M. Edwards, Jr. 19?8. Studies on alligator nutritiou. proc. 198?Georgia Nutr. Conf. Atlaata, GA. Staton,M. A., L L. Brisbin, Jr. a-udG. M. Pesti. 1989. Feedfonmulation for alligators: aa overview arrdiaitial studies. Proc. 8th Working Meetiag ofthe IUCN CrocodileSpecialist Group, F. W. King (ed.).publ. Int€m. Union Colserv. Nature ald Nat. Res,Glaad, Switzerlard. Staton,1!LA., L. McNease,T. Joanen, I. L. Brisbia, Jr. arrdE. M. Edwards, Jr. In Pressa. Supplem,entednubia (Mvocastor comu) meat as a practical feed for AEerica! alligators (Alligat4r mississiopieusis). Proc. 9th Working Meeting of tbe IUCN CrocodileSpecialist Group, F. W. King (ed.).publ. htern. Uuio! Colserv. Nature and Nat. Res. Glaad, Switzerlaad. Staton, M. A, E. M. Edwards, Jr.,I. L. Brisbin, Jr., T. Joaaen ard L. McNease. In Pressb. Protein and energy relationships in the diet ofthe A:aericaa alligator (Alligator mississippiensis). Jour. Nutrition. StatoD,M. A., E. M. Edwards,Jr.,I. L. Brisbi!, Jr., T. Joanenand L. McNease.In Pressc. tr'atty acid qutrition ofthe America! alligator (Allisator mississippiensis). Jour. Nutrition. Statoa,M. A,II. M. Edward1 Jr., I. L.Brisbin. Jr.. T. Joa:renand L. McNease.In Pressd. Dietar5renergy sourcesfor tJreAmericaa alligator (Alliearor nississiopiqnsis).Aquaculture. BRISBIN.lS Table l. Regressio! ststistics for growth in body weight by Arnerican alligators fed a dry fonnulated ration for 40 months following hatchiag, as comparedto gmwth over a comparableperiod of time for captive alligators fed conventional meat aad/or fish diets.r Growth Interceot (g) Slope(e/dav) R2 llodel, Fonaulated Meat FoEulat€d Meat Formulated Meat Diet Diet Diet Diet Diet Diet Liaear 50.00 50.03 3.69 11.4 0.743 0.364 Ln (weight) 5.42 4.66 0.00324 o.oo472 0.698 0.717 Ln (weighV 0.5?0 1.83 r.099 0.986 0.877 0.601 h ("g") Quadratic 50.03 50.03 3.794 -6.424 o.743 0.475 -0.0001350.02015 'Data set from-that cornpiledfrom (in 'Growth th6 literature by Brisbin press)for captive alligators. dodels expressedin lhe form: weight = llntercoXrt f {agE). constmined to a hat hing w€ight of 5Og. 'Coeficient for (6ge). I Coeficient for (age),. a) 12.O 10.0 (D ! E 8.0 gl o a 6.0 5 4.0 2.O 1.0 2,O 3.0 4,0 5.0 6.0 7.O 8.0 Ln (Age-days) Figrue 1. Growth in body weight ofAnerican alligators ra.isedfor 40 mouths followiag hatching on a dry fonaulated ration, (opelrd.ia!onds), vs. comparablegrowth data taken from the literature by Brisbin (in press) for captive alligators Eised on staldard diets ofmeat a:rd lish (opea squares). T E E o c 1.00 I 0.00 0.00 1.00 2.oo 3.00 4.00 Age (yrs) Figure 2. Total body lengths ofAmerican alligators raised for 40 months following hatching, on a dry fonnulated ration (ope! diamonds),vs. a regression for tbe fit ofa Richards growth model to data (N =?2) for captive alugators raised on staadard diets ofmeat aad 6sh. Data and Richards regressioncoefricients for the latter were ta-keufrom Brisbin (in press). POPUIATION SIZE, COMPOSITION,AND RECRUITMENTOF AI,GRICAN ALI,IGATORS IN FRESHWATERMARSH Dlrayne A. Carbonneau aad Roberc H. Chabreck School of Forestry, Wil.dlife, and Fisheries Louislana State Universiry AgrlculturaL Cenrer Baton Rouge, rA 70803 USA Ab€!!,agl. --Aelial sutweys of alligacor nesrs on lacassine National Wildlife RefuSe, Louisiana inaicared rhac there were 332 and 744 nests on che r€fuge in 1985 and 1997, respeccively. A s€.npre or 4/ nests tras exa-nined in 1985 and 63 nests were exax0ined in 1987. The neao clurch size was 32.9 eggs. High rr,arer in 1987 resulted ln rhe loss of 4.8r of rhe eggs. The ne;n nuober of hatchlings per nest nas 31.5. Adult iittgaror" cornprisea 26.2r of the alLigacor population on the lefuge. The sex ratio of adulc alligators ','€s 2.3:1.0 (dates co fen;1es). The estirnared a1l1gator popularton on rhe refuge tn 198G r'as 7,918 buc tn 1987 lc xras estitnated ac t7,743. We esrinated that 8j.6t of rhe hatchlings were lost before they resched 1 year of age. ,, The decllne, prorection, and recowery of the Anerican alligaco! fhe authors are grareful for che assisrance of rhe U. S. Frsn and Uildllfe Servlce and rhe Loutsiana Deparrnenr of wildlife and Fisheries in conducrlng the lnvestigarion. DESCRIPTIONOF STUDYAREA The study was conducted on the 12,869-ha lacassine Natiodal Wildlife Refuge (NWR) in souchlresrern Louisiana. The refuse contalns a 5,478-ha freshwater inpoundment that is perroanently flooded ard referred to as lacassine Poo1. A 941-ha intensive study area rras established in racassine PooL. The i.ntensive study ares rdas divided into 3 sections: north (320-ha), niddle (355-ha), and south (265-ha). SeLective cor0nelcial harvesting of alllgators was conducted on che Refuge during the study and \ras resumed tn 1983 after 32 years of proceccion (Biolrn and Yakupzack 1983:27). In thar interie, Che population greatly increased and served as an lnpoitanc source of aninals for reslocking trlchln Louisiana and elsewhere. Preclptcatlon constitutes the onLy source of natel sroted ia hcasslne Poo1. Tte refuge receives epproxinately 144 co of rainfall annual1y, :rnd excess nater in Lacasslne Pool is allowed to escape over three spillways located along rhe eastern, lrestern, and northern levees. l-acassine NVR lies wlthln the Mernentau Basin, a nan-nade reservoir fo! stolage of irrigation water. Much of tbe warer used for rice field lrrlgatlon in southsestern Loutslana is drarn from the Uerxnentau Basid, and thls use causes ride veriatlon in tatet levels outside of Lacassine PooI. The greater depth and cootrolled level of wster in Che pool, conpared to the surloundlng narsh on the lefuge outslde che pool, affords a wlder ranSe of etwironnenlal condltlons inside the pool. Vegerarion is denser outsLde the pool because the perlodlc drandolrn enhances glowch of MEIHODS Nest Survevs Alllgator nests wele counted fton fixed-wlng aiicraft on 24 June 1985 and l0 July 1987. Sureeys l'ele florn in a Cessna 172 aircraft l'lth a pilo! aad tiro obs€rrers. The plane lras flo&'n at a speed of 150 !.d^r and a hetghc of 50 n along north-south transects 0.8 kD apart. In both flights observer 1 sat on the right side of che alrplane next co the pilot and helped navigare, and obseree! 2 sa! on the left side of lhe aircraf! behind the pilot. The seating arlangenent for the obselwers tras kept coirstant. A11 transeccs irere fLown betlreen 0900 and 1600 hrs. to reduce pocentlal problems of differentiating alligator nests fron nuskla! (OndaCra zibetthicus) 1od8es and overlooking nests codpletely during adverse Ltght condittons. AlI tradsects l'ere 200 n wide and strip lridth delineacior l'as achteved by placing tape nsrkers on the windows of the aircraft to define the ouler boundaries of srlips IOO n wide on each slde. These strlps l'ele calibrared by ftying, at an alrirude of 50 n, ove! a 200 d wide rlansect narked on rhe ground (Roberts 1986:14./. Navigation co rransecr endpoints was aided throush lhe use of l,ORAl1lC navigarional equipnent. Endpoinr coordinales were taken fron the same maps (1;24,000 scale) used fo! rransecr selecrion Map distoltion of rhe latirudinal scale l'as correcred by ground- cruEhing along Earked section lines. An attenpt rras nade co Locace all the nescs ilr the intensive study a!ea, and each nest location was narked l,irh a nunbered oetal po1e. Eggs l'ere renoved to dererrdine their conditlon alld th6 nunber present. Cale was taken not ro rotate rhe eggs or position thed dtfferently fron the ray rhey occulted in-ihe nesc. Begirming on 22 Augusr 1985, rhe narked nests were vlsired weeklw co detelbine hatching success. On 20 JuIy 1987, aL1 alligaror nests !,ere aaain locared and Earked. on Ehe inrensive sEudy area by Ehe method previously described. The nests l'ere visited in late LugusC, prior to hatching, and rhe eggs nere examined to deceriine cieir condirion. Eggs were classifted as ferrile, killed by flooding, or faulry. Populatton Size. CornDosirion and Rectui.nenr The number of alligators in lhe sludy area \das conpuEed by the nethod developed by Chabreck (1957). The Chabreck nettoa uses a forDula that requires inforEarion on the nunber of alliearo! nests ln the area plus inforDatlon on I other faccors. Tie firsc factor is the pelcentage of adulc alligarors (aninals 1.g I! and Ionter) ln lhe popularlon. This was deteroined from niehr counE dsts collected in accordance uich chabreck (1967). In i973. l night count lransecls (each 4.8 kxolong) were established tn lacassine PooI and 3 additional transects were esrablished ourstde the pool. The lines were surveyed annually by refuge personnel ano En€ cocal dlstance sutweyed q,as 23.3 kn. The - s€cond factor required for the forr0ula is the percentage of adult feoales in the population. fhts information was decernined fron alllgaror harvest data from rhe refuse. The rhird faccor is the percencage of adul! fenales nescine. iara for thrs factor t ere derived fron Chabreck (1967), Joanen and McNease (1978), and Kinlei er al (1987:17). Reclultnent lras determined flom the data gathered on lhe nunber of nesting fenales, lhe proportion of nists producing young, and observed enbryonic mortali.cy. v RESUTTSAND DISCUSSION Population Size The nunber of alligacors in the pre-hatchtng popuLation on l,acassine NIIR was estirnated using the proced{rre developed by Chabreck (1967). Percent Adult Alliqators ln rhe Popularlon. During ntghc coudts on Lacassin€ NIIR, alligators obsefied were lisred by size classes; and fron 1973-1985 (excLuding 1978), 684 altigarots weie observed in Lacasslne Pool aad 1,235 were obselved outside the pool. Id Lacassine Poo1, 28.81 of the alllgarors were adults and oucside the pool adults represenred 25.5t of rhe population. nre conblned results fron night counts ln both areas indicate thar adults cornprlsed 25.7t of che alLigacor popularion on l-acassine NWR. Chabreck (1957) reporred chat 15.8C of lhe alligarors in a s€.lple on Rockefelle! Refuge were adults. WiLkinson (1985:100) found adulcs codprised 25.3t of a sa.nple in Sourh Carolina. A vari.6ty of techniques nere used by Wilkinson (1985:99) ro obrairt hls adult to juv€nt1e rario because he felt thac nlght counls aLone olght result i.n an urrder representatlon of snall alltgarors. lJoodrard aod Marion (1978) leporred thar atl alligato! size classes n6re readily obsereed in late May and early June and rhar nlght counts should be nBde at thac tine. Nighc counts at kcassine NIJR\rere usually conducted in late Juoe, afrer rhe fedales had. slarted nesling, and nay have resulred in an under representatlon of adulc alligaCors. Honogeneity of habirat on lscassine NIJR probably incleased rhe acculacy of rhe counts. Adult Sex Ratio. The adult sex ratio anont aLligators on I-acassine NWR, as dete!fiined fton 1983-1985 harvest data, nas 2.4 oales:1.0 fenale (29.4t feoaLes). Ocher studies have indlcaced a surplus of adult nales in the po!'u1ation. Chabreck (1967) leported a sex ratio of 1.55i1.0 and ltilklnson (l-985:99) reported a 1.5:1.0 sex ratlo. I{ines er aL. (1958) observed a 4.0:l,O se)r latio, l.hlch they fel! reas possl.bly bias€d by tncorlectly sexlng sone snall alllgators and by capturlng alligators natnly in canals, lrhich lras selective to nales. Htnes ec al. (1968) also stated thst nore recent captures irdicated a 1.9:1.0 sex ralio. Ic was not clear lf Hires et aI. (1958) included idnature alltgacors in their latet sanple. A 1.2:l-0 sex tario riras ldported by Bata (7972>, Alllgacors harvesled during sprlng, surDme! and fall on Marsh IsLand in Louisiana brackish narsh (Klnler et a1. 1987:15) indicated ar adult ser. racto of 1.3:1.0. 5 Percent of Adult Femal.es Nesrinq. In a study on Sabine Refuge lD 1964, tlalcers and l\,.y found evidence rhac 58.1* of rhe adult fe.nales had 1ai.d (Chableck 1967). In aDorher repotr fron coastal Louisiada, Joanen and McNease (1978) reporced rhat 53t of the adult fenales cere producCive; horevet, Kinler eC aI. (7987 tl7> reporred an aruual nesring rate of on).y 29.8t. l,tore infornation is needed concerning the percentage of adulr fernale alligators that nest annually on Lacassine fWn. Using an average of the values reporred for alligators elserhete in Lo;isiana (Chabreck 1957, Joanen and !{cNease 1978. and Kinler et a1. l987tL7), re assuned that 53.5s of the aalult fenales nested annual1y. Wllkinson (7985196) states rhat srress induced by droughr, high salinities, and prolonged cooL leFperarules tn rhe spiing piobably reduce nesting in Sourh Carollna. OdIy 5ON of adulr wl1a_aaught captlve fensles nested each yea! on Rockefeller Refuge (Joanen ana McNease 1980). population Computatlon of Size. populatlon and nest dara can be,convered co prehatching populacion nunbers by using che following forbula (Chabreck 1957) : P - N/AFE lrhere, P - Toral alligaror populatlon in the area N - Total nunber of aulgacor nests on the atea A - Percenr of adult alligacors tn lhe population F - Percenr of adulr fenales adong adult alligacols E - Pelcent of adult feDales nesli.nc To calculate population estinares for Lacassine NWR, rhe population attribures fron rhis study !re!e inselred into the fornula as fol.lo!'s: rotal rlunber of alligator nesrs (N) extrapolated for the enrire lefuge in L986 was 332, calculared ploportion of adults io the popularion (A) lras 0.257, proporrlon of adult fenales (F) was 0.293, and (E) the annual averaEe Proporcion of fenales chac nesEed uas 0.536. Froo these calculatlons the cotal populatioir on Lacassine NWRin 1986 l'as 7,918 alllgators. Average denslty l'as 1 alli8aror/1.53 ha wirh I nest/24 alLitators ln rhe population. The 1985 populacion in Lacassine Pool (A - 28.8t) ras 5,526 alligarors. Avelage densicies were 1 alligaror/o.98 ha wirh ! nesc/22 alligarors io the populatloo. Ia 1987 lhe total nurnber of nests on Lacassina NVR ll'as 744. Using the sarnevalues for tL', 'Ft and ,E, the total alliaator 5 populaCion on Lacassine NIIIRras estlnared to be 17,743. Avelage densities were 1 alllgator/o.73 ha \ritb I nesx/24 alligacors ir. the population. The 1987 population in l,acasstne pool (A - 28.81) was 15,549 alligators, and avelage densities rere 1 alligato!/o.42 ha 'rtth 1 nest/22 alltgators in lhe population, The sex laClo daca froD l-acassine NWRwas obtatned by exs.oining alllgators harvested ia rhe fal1; hotrever, Kinler ec a1. (1987,17) deoonstrated chat lhe deChod produced a biased sex ratlo beceuse fe\re! adu!! fenales ale harvested ar that !ine. A1so, lnfornatlon on the percent of adult fenales nestlng each yea! (Ktnler et a1. 1987:16) suggested that nesting rares may have been ove!-estirnated, and as a lesult total populations nay have been under-estiDaled in Che pasr. Additional infornation on rhe percenlate of fenales nesting each yea! alrd the adult sex raClo is needed for the Lacassine all.igato! populacton. }lcNease atd Joanen (1978) deternined thar the average fresh Earsh habitat ln Louisiana supporrs 1 alllgaxor/5.67 }j.a. I-acassine Pool supported 1 aUlgaro!/o.98 ha in 1986 and 1 alllEaxor/o.42 ha in 1987. TlIe renaidder of che narsh on the refuge (oucslde of Lacasslne Pool) supported L alligacor/4.95 ha in 1.986 and ! aL].19ator/2.gt ha in L987. Pooulaclon Comlosicion The alligato! populalion composirlon ouCside of Lacassine PooL as deternined by ntght couots nore closely resenbled rhe populacion conposllion reported by Taylor and Neal 1994 rhan did the population com?osition ln Lacassine pool. The mosc obvious difference ac Lecassine Nl'R and chat reported by Taylor a.nd Neal (1984) ras the apparenr unde! - representation of rhe 2 sroallest size classes. Alligators renain irt pods during lheir flrst 2 years and lhat behavior nay have caused constdelable varlarion in nltht counts of those size classes (ltood.!.ard and [arion 1978). Young alllgacors usually remaln for the flrst tno years of life in the vicinity of their dorher,s nesC, ohlch Ls often in remore sections of a narsh (Chabreck 1965) and in ateas nor nodnally sa&pled by night counc transects. l?le population cordposlrlon in Lacassine Pool was unusual in that che nunber of aninals in the 0.6-1.5 o size classes was vel]/ snall conpared !o lhe population conposltlon reported by Taylor and NeaL 1984. One possible explanaclon is lhat alligacors in chose size classes lrere [ore 1ike1y co subnetge co avoid the airboat dulillg the nighc counts than other slze classes. Lacassine NLlR personnel acrenpred ro capture and cag 500 alligators/year, and alligatols in the 0.6-1.5 l! size classes nade up the bulk of the captures, hence rheir avoidance of che atrboat. Anothef reason those slze classes oay have been unde!-leDtesented t was that lalger alligarors may have driven rhe smalle! allicacors froE lhe deep raEer habitaE uhere nighc counrs were nostly conducted. That possibiliry becones especialty likely wh;n the high densicy of alligators of all size classes tn che pooL is caken into cooslderalion. R€cruitnent In 1987, 9.02* of rhe al1tgalor eggs 1aid in nests nonilored io the intensive scudy alea ofl Lacassine NWRfailed to hatch. Assuning that no fulther [ortality occurled between rhe tlne rhe eggs-were inspected and hacching. the 63 active nesrs produced 1.875 young (x - 29.8). Ihe aertat i.nvenroly of nests aliscloseat that 704 nesrs eere present id the poot. By appLylng rhls nesr production value, !.e estiDared thac 20,979 young rder; produced in the pool. The 40 nests ourside the pool conrributed a;other 1,192 youn8 for a_tocal-of 22,L11, youtrrl produced on the refuge in 1987. The co&puted populaclon before harching wg.s L7,743; thlrefore hatchllngs nould have conprtsed 55.5t of the afrer harchine populaEion lf no nortaliry occurred. Although fewer nests were present on rhe refuge in 1985, no eggs rrere losr to floodlng. AssuEing Eha! rhe san- percencaee of faulty-eggs (4.8) existed in t986 as in 1987, Ehen tire nesrs-in - 1985 (x 33.2 eggs) should hawe produced an aweraeeof lI.6 young. Total producrion of young on the refuge in 1986 was coDputed at 10,491. The conputed popularion of alllgators before hacchiag ln 1985 was 7,918; rherefore, hetchlings ha.t.,e cornprlsed 57.0t of the afre!-hatching popularj.o; lf"oita no mortaliry occurred, halchlings range ln size flon 0.3 ro 0.6 n ar age 1 (Chabreck,-. .Alligaror and Joan€n 1979). Nighc councs on Lacassine NHR indlcated that thLs size class (including rhose < 0.3 n) conprised. 24.1$ of the before hatchtng popularion. ttowewer, afcer hacching chis group nade up only 10.4s of che roral populacion in 1986 and 1.0.7i in 1987. The average of these values for both years lndicates a loss of 83.6* of rhe hatchlings duri.ng rhe firsc year on Lacassine lilllR. LITERATI'RE C]TED 8ara, M. O. L972. Alligator lesearch project. Ann. p!og. Report. S. C. Wildl. and ltaline Resour. DeDr.. Co1t]libia. Btonn, 8., aad P. M. Yakupzack. 1983. Annual nartative report lacassine Refute, calendar year 1983. Subnirted ro USFLTS Regional Offtce, Arlanra. 62pp. chabreck, R. tl. 1955. Movement of alligacors in Louisiana. Proc. Annu. Conf. Southeast Assoc. Gane and Flsh Conm. 19:102-110. chabreck, R. H. 1957. Methods of determining the stze and codPosition of alligator populations ln Louisiana. Proc. Armu. Conf. Soucheast. Assoc. eane and lish conn. 20:105-112. Chabreck R. H, L910. Marsh zones and vegetative cypes in che Loulstana coastal narshes. Ph.D. Thesis. La. State Univ. Bacon Rou8e. 1L3pp. chabreck. R. H.. and T. Joanen. 1979. crotth rates of A.nerlcan alligaEoEs in Louisiana. Herpetologica 35:51-57. Htnes, T, C., l{. J. Fogalty, and L. C. ChappeLl. 1968. Alligacor leseelch in Florlda: a progress feport, Proc. Ann. Conf. Southeast. Assoc. Cane and Fish Comm.22i166-18O. Joan€n, T. 1959. Nesting ecology of lhe alligacor ln Louj.siana. Proc. Southeest. Assoc. Ca'!e Ftsh Conn. 23:14I-151. Joanen, T., and L. ltcNeas€. 1978. Reproducrive biology of rhe Atnerlead a11lgator ln southeastefti Loulstana. SSAR Sl.nposium on Reproductive Biology of Captlve Reptiles, Arizona SEare Unlv., Tenple, Az. June 5-5, Lgla. Joalren, T., and L. l{cNease. 1980. Reproductive bioLogy of rhe Arerlcan alligator in Southwesc louisiana. Pp. 153-L59 1! J. B. Uurphy and J. T. Collins, eds., Reploductive biology and dlseases of captlve reptiles. SSARContr. to l{erpetol. No. t. Kinler, N., D. Taylor, and c. Linscoobe. 1987. 1985 experlnental alllgator harvest ploglal! on l{arsh Island Refuge. Report in files of Le. Dept. }Jildl. & Flsheries, New Iberia, La. 27pp. McNease. L.. and T. Joanen. 1978. Distribution and relative abundances of the alligato! irl louisiana coascal Earshes. Proc. Annu. conf. Southeast. Assoc. Fish and wildl. Asenctes 32:\82-186. Nichols, J. D., L. viehdan, R. H. Chabreck, and B. Fenderson. 1975. sinulation of a commercially hart/ested alltgato! population in t-ouisiarta. LSU At. Exler. Stn. Bull. No. 69-- 59PP. Roberts, S. l{. 1.985. A population lndex for mottled ducks in Lordslana and Easc Texas floo aerial surveys. l{. S. Thesis, Louislana State univ., Baton Rouge, 50pp. TayLor, D., and W. Nea1. 198t . Managenent tnplicarton of si.ze-class frequency discributlons ill Louisiana alllsator popularions. wIId.. soc. 8uII. t2:312-319. Wilklnson, P. M. 1985. Nesring ecology of che Anerican alligator in coastal Sourh Carotina. S. C. M€.r. Resoux. Deot. Stuiv Conpletion Rep., Charlesron, l13pp. Wood\reld, A., and W. R. MarioD. 1978. An evaluarion of Factors affectlng nlght-Ilghc counrs of alligacors. proc. Annu. Conf. Soucheasr. Assoc. Fish and Wildl. Agencies 32:291-302. 40 Sudnary of Verazuelat ncw law for coEmercial trading of wildlilc ard i& product!. Alcjan&o Carriuo.Gar& ApartadoPo*al 3()1 CarDclitas,Caracas VcrcaleL. Or 23 March 190 the Miristry of thc ErviroMent ard NaturalRcacwablc Rcsouc€s i,r Vcrczuela issucdaMiribtcial Dcspatchwith lcv rcgulatioDspcrtaidDg to sildlife tradc. Tbc ncwrcgulatio8 arc suEoarizcdhcrc. INIRODUCTION . f.C basis: - CITESIntcmatiodsl Ia, . Vcr€a&l,l Wildlife Iaw (Artidr E4 - CcD&alAdninist atiotrIay (Aniclc 5) SECTION1 . Purpo6c: To rcgul, c wildlife tradc asd hd|lstry in VcncaEla andthc intematioralo{'ort of wildlife Proouats. . Il6titutioDswithjurisdictionto applyaddetrforcc thc law.: - Natiorrl Gurrd - PROFAUNA (NationalMldlife O6cEr. SECnON 2, Lic€rc6. . Eligibility to establishwildlifc ildusrry or tradr i! prod!.rs - Penodrl coDmcrcial6rmsfrrlflliDg p.cviourrcquircdc[ts for liccrces. . r c-l 6nn3 (ConFni€6, Corporatiolsctc.) that !'rcvioustyfirffil rcquireEcntsfor hcrlsies| Lic9ryc applicatioGrrquirc a dqleiption of thc propoGcdadivitics atd vcrificatior of app.oralby PROFAUNA. SECTION3 . TrarsportatioDof wildlifc o. Foductr !,ithh &c cou*rra - RcguLtionsald docodcrtatiot rcquircdfo. morrmcrt - froD siresof o.igin (c.&ra!che.s)!o loaalpROFAUNA ccders a,ld - ftoE sit€sof origi! to thc restof thc corrtry. SECIION 4. r Rcgist atiol of tnders ard hdustriesrcquircd. SECTION5 r WaEhouscaand contbcrcial storaga ald activityrcgulatcd. 4L SECTION6 . Inport andErpod acfivitics: - Apprwal ofPROFAUNA rcqui.ed - Liceuing aaddoctmcntation de*ribc4 A!a4/sin ltc naw laehar cdiidcrablc adva agc fo. wildlifc co,rcwatio|r and sustainableus€. It idpo6€6 codtrols on wildlifc tradc and is reitridivE ercug! to dilcouragc adv€lturcts. Liccrsilg ard doc{Ecntation arc rmdcr thc ccaFalizcdiurMaion of PROFAUNA. Ar thc saoc tiEc it providcs a 6rd b6sb on wbic& to build su6tailabL indurtrics and comocrcial busircsscsbarad on *ildlifc. Thc ecchadsEs ald clil|ate are establishadto crcouiagc iryEstEcDt ir susrainabb wUdltfc irdusrty by ht focig! and local idrcstora. kELIl\,lNAty s&'DrEs ol{ TEEEoMB ItANcEoFTES Cm{Esa AllJc,|I,ot_ o*"fifl11n'r.r.o ADhuiNo.nal UrirErsitv Wutu, Ctiia. At6t act MovcEctrtsof ChiDcsr€Iigators away ftom thcir dcnsarc dercibcd aadhouc nages calculated-,Ihe arcauscd for fotrigiDgby individualdligatod nay yaryby up to 10tincs ioD ,t47ietcrs squarcto 58i6 metciasquarc, Causca of thir ya.iatio! arc thowht to bc asfouows; 1) Ayailablcspacc; Alkdtors with acar$sto larycr fo.aairy erca6havc larger ho|nc ratrgcs, 2) Ricbncssof food rqsourccs;Afigators with ac!.ss to coocenEaaedfood suoDliesosed sEallcr hooc rargas. 3) Agq Adult aligatoE usEdnorc ofthc ayailablchabihr thatrjuvc Ls living in the samcPatcr& 4) Sizc;largcr aligatoB occupicda&as of morc abunda$food aDdulcd a smaller foragingarca thaa sodler irdividualsin thc samcwatcrs. No dificrcnccsin hooc rangcf,Erc obicrgcdbetwccu males and fcmalcs" Iatroductior Thc lu|rbcr ofliving Chirc6caligators io tic field is sDa.ll Suvivi[g alligato.saie distributedh a tliscontinuousmaracr rather tha! a contiruu$ follo,,i,g tie dcstructioao? nuch of their habitatand the reduction-ofthcir populatioD&Ir this study\rc cquircd ilto ibc sizcof homcftlge of aligrtors b their prescatdiqcrscd locations. Wc alsoexamincd dificrclccs io horaerargc sizcbct*ceo aluvial ptainaad rFlard hily r€iois" Studicswcrc corductcdin tnc aluvial plaiaia Augus 19SSand ir thc hil r;gion in Algust 1989. Marcrialsad mctlod& Id,cstigatiodof thc hmc rargc in thc rivcrsideplaia P"€s dorc at Dorghc \fillage NaDIiDgcouaty, Atrhui prwine, a loc.lyiDgatca of thc Yarytsc alwial plair rhat ir intc4:,ii€t cujtiva-tcdad hai a deue humaa populatioo-At this locatio! 6vc altigatorsIirc ir a poodof3600 oz. Onc is an aduhfcEalc arldfour are - iyTnt-o5 0"8E lcigg" ltcy Eay all bc onc falrily but prcscatlylivc iD diffcrcntburrows. A swampof &mE fca adjdccotto tt NE sid€ofthc pod andSW ofthe poddis a douid o! whicharc 13farE houscs.Ilc alligatorburrowr arc urdcr tf,is mouaal This villagcand thc pondis surouadcdby paddyfcld sprtuldedwith ditche* Asetold yas smdysitcin $: Y grscqlwial plai! locarcdat Strihpuvilagc Nanlirg coulty. Adjac€lt to this vilagc i6 a poodofabout 4m Ez cotrlc.ted to a canal Thc viuagEFople $Es!;gctabl€s arrdclcatr fish al this pord anddis€rd 6sh otr l into tf,c pod4 Ocrcforc tterc ;s irici fma supplyfor thc .i.gre fcmalcaligator that occupicathb podd. Tt€ ilvEstigationofthcaligator honc ralgo in tbc hilty rcgioowas dorc h Xir ian villagc,Xuaacheng coulty, fului provircci! ttc footlills of thc Wauan mou ai! chaiD.Ttc areais partiily ctltivatedir *tcat ric! ard vcgclablasbut L pri4darilya tlca farD. T*o adultfeDalc aligatoo i"sidc io ttat cot,rr! a! arcaof about36m mz. The rcscnoir is formedb a! enbaDtdcat i! the eallcy",o"roolrand two ditchcadirctargc into it hoo abovc.Paddy 6clds lic bclowthc cmbantm.raid thc vallcy. T\votemale 43 aligato.s har,r thcir bulroc,! Dcir rvhcra the wlerc thc res€tvoir .djoils thc ditcb. Thc bu.row6 are ody 135 6 apad. h anoticr sidc of thc hil about 2 tm dfua froE tf,c rB€rvoir L a sdal pond of 260 m2 arca dth aa adjoinirg ditch vindirg arourd thc hill A nalc auigator livcs in this pon4 *hich i! $lrrouadrd by Egctablo and paddy .icc cultivatioD" PrelimiMry obs€rvatiois or thc nighdy EovcEcrts of thcic alligatoB *Er€ made BiDg a head lamp. Promiaet laad narls such ar Eec.!,par!6 and cafils w€re accuratelymapp€d ald forDed tbe r€fercnc€ poiats fc a grid ofx and Y ares. Thcr alligators v,crc located by thcn cycshinc aad tf,cir pocitiol relative to tf,c X/Y edr dctcrnircd acomtcly. Bccauc jwcoilc alligatore of about ttc saEc sizc could trot bc difrerclriated by their eyEshincwe cootimd otEcrratiors for thr foul julEDiLs af DodgLc. Ttc adutf feDalc could bc distiDguishedard vas labch.d aligntor 'A'. ObdcrvatioDlsrrc ma(L o[ l5 occ.siols, o[ teo of*hitf, only four alligators could bc .c.q givilg a total of 73 sightilgs ar tbis locario!. At SIitpu thc aligator, tcrmci B'{16 ob6crvcd15 tidca, ,lraF withir or os tbc banL of thc pod add nevcr goitrg out Thc tsg anigators at Xntiar ras€rvoir could b€ distiDguishcdby sizc as "C (thc largpr oac) ard'D' (thc sisalcr oac) ald thc male aligator in thc &arby pond we6callci'8. Each oftha3c *€tc ohcrvcd 15 tim6 cac!. Sightiog locatiqos of each alligator srrc.rercsscd as an xi and Yi dimerlsion orr the aEs and the paramcte'3 Xi', Yi" and XiYi calcdatcd and sumEcd for cacl eDinal Bccaus€the disrdbutiotr of siEhting locarioDrlra! roogbly cliptical c,€ adoptc/ thc cquatio! uscd by Jeu.ich sld Tumcr (1969) ia cahfatiEg rarg! areasof lizards: ARE& A - 6 pi ISIX - *crc rSI - ss. lry *ry x vadancq sn - r/(n-z)grno<2-(sur'Dg2/Dl Y variarcc; s,t = V(n 2)tSUMY2-(sUMr2hl X Y co\Eriam€:sry - 1/(n-alSfnDff-(SUI\,o9(SUMY)/al Rcsultsad d;so$sion Thc L!9 tcrm ob6€ivatio8hat! shwD that Chinc,sealigato.s rcuaia occupanBof their r€sidelt bufiov,s €xccpt*den theylcaE durirg the matingscasoD. The tiDc of otr study(August) is p€riodof aaiv€ feediagfor alligators.All lhc .lligatoB caEc ourtfroE ttcir burtoefsto fe€dand ou mcasorcEc s ar. for thc fecdingarce but cafiot addr€ssthc activityraDgr durirg brccdirgi,Tablc 1 irdicatesthat the arcaus€d fd fo.agbg by aligrtds Eay varyW a factorof 10b€tsccl difilrclt aligators. The.aDgpof fcEalc "A'in the rivcrsideplai$, cort cd 5S/6mz, bur fcEalc B' only,|4Tmt, Thc teasoosfor this difrelctcc arc thowht to bc thrcc rcspcds: (1) 'It€ r&udEral naorc of thc habitat ln thc residllcc of "A is a largppond and iB neiSlborirg s{/aDp. Aligator 'A' searchcafor foodboth in tle pondaad ia thc swamp*tcrc ttcro ir a pl€Dtifulsupply of food. Tf,c rcsidcnccof B' ia slfioundcd by pdddy6alds and vilag€s an4 duc to tf,e uscof.icEical f.rtilizers ard pc,*icidcs,thcrc is litdc food in th. paddyfields, thcrcfo.c B' did trot foragcthere. .A. Rdcrclccr Ched Bihui.Hua_aaohe & U Biryhua (1981. ChidcscAligator. Arlui Scicntific ard Tecbrological Prcsq Atr[ui Ciina Jcnfiictr, Rl. ad FJ. Turner. (1969).McasurcDcDt of nodcircula, HoDc Ralgc. J, Theor. Biol, 27-aL 22 !p. 45 \o@F@614. co\os NF.I@\OF .rsO FOft.\O(r\F \o ^r ^r \OF FTN@ o\ ]J\ o con.i(\|(\Jct =F\O@@ ocosorolF @Fr@O .i(\J\OOFn\ N \OFr-lN.i.r <1r\S Ect .ratiFt{- €F E E q- ai o tr r E o6!000, O'ltr. ob!!a.c Cq>ul oe-9E.-99E 6 OISEIVATION ON rEE BUIIOI{ OF CIINA,SE ALUGAIOT. ' CLcr Bihui Dept Biolo&f,Adui No.mal Univcrsity Wu.ht,China WangChaolia ad Liaa Baodoog Arlui Rc,scarchCeater of Cbirc.seA.lligator Reproductiod Chha Al6tra.t This papcr IntroduatioE A vrst.najo.i9 of-crocodilia$livirg id thc world arc distributedin ttc Eopicsand subtropics. A.u aacptioa k thc Chilc,rcAligator whichi6 distribut.dup to 31"Nortf, Iltitudc. Becausest[tcr tcBp€tatur6 ia thi! ralgc trrayfall to 13.7e thc Chincscalltator shoesa DuEberoI adaptatioDsto thjs clinarc aodt[c digiag of a borow is onc of lbc oorc iElnrtant adapradoos"wc havesodied alligator burro fo. s€v€i.alFats to uadrrstaddtncir biologicalsigniicancc, Thc pnojectcras ioitiated itr Eg2 as psrt of thc studyof theCtincsc aligator codu.tcd by Dr. Mytua Watalabcc,ith ChcnBibui ard Hualrg Chucticr. Aftct Dr- Wahrabe rctuEed to thc US-A,the studywascotrtirucd by the Fcsc authora Metlod! Stru(tutc ofAlligator burocE s.asstudied by cxcavatingtlcn by h€ld Whc[ eact 6cctiorof bu.row was dugout its gng+ v/idth,-heightad dept! ( distanccfrod irs bottomto thc grouddsurfacc atrove) was Ecasured"thc l€lgth of cachse.tior wasmcasurcd in the didlinc alor{ the bottomand the s€ctron lclgth6 addadto gi\rctlc total Aftcr cachburrow was cxcavatcd a diagrL of lhc pholc burow was (hawr. Burro{ tcEpet"atBcswcrc dcrsucd it clclrd burrw* Fourwcac 15 - 2 E dccpad loc.atedtn tbc.alwirl plah rcgior- Four x,Ete15 - 2 n dccpald four of 2.5- 274 d dcprhwcrc b;tcd ir a hiny .cgiotr Eachburrot, tcDpcfttrlrc r,asmca$rc/ at thc bcgilrirg niddlc aadcad of eachmoath atd a few c/!rc Dea$ricdmon(lly for 45 timc!, TcDp€ratuc difrctcoccsbctwccn thc alluvir.lDlaiE andbills arc Lss thar 05 C rd so thc Ecatr valu! of dcssuredcDtdata wEs adop(cd fo. the g.ouddteEperatura each Eontb- A thcrDomctcrcquipFd si&io a hoUoc.had dril (a gcothermodctcr)sas uscdd tatc groud ard burro{ tcEpcraturcE Locatiodard &pth of crcb burrowxas Fobcd &oE thc surfaccwitl a tLia baoboo polc andtictr thc gcothcrmodctari$rrtcd tbrowL thc aoiliDto the burrow. With r€ry deep bofiowsit wastleccssary to rceow pan of th€ oicrlyi[g carth abovrthc borrowid ordcr to iscrt thi gcothcrDodctd but i! cvcrycisc thc burow t€oaircd btad andcorcrcd wirh carth_ o R€sultsard Di.cussior Besiccolitructioo of tbc burrow. A typicalburrow i6 sho*n in Fl$ 1- 3 andis cotsttuctcdas folloer: il OFdDgs; thc brlrow oFrirg! arc apFoxiEatelyroudd or ellipticwith thc bottoE vall somewhatflat. Hole sizci6 positivclycorrclatcd with tho sizoof thc oc{qart alligtor. ltc opcaingsof a! adu.lta.Uigator burrowa& 335 co high,3t55 (n widc andarc usuallylocated ia thc vcrtica.lval of an cEbartmenq pondbant or ditch or locatedat thc foot ofa bill Whcnratcr lctck arefull the oFning ir submersedbut it maybe €xposedas Eatcr lcvcl66.lL Oicr thc opcringthere atc usuallyhigh srborE drlsc busbesot gras6csard tol€s arc oftc! locatcdbetwcc! tlc fork of thc root! of *EtcrsfticEccs. Thc Air Hole, 6rst naDcdby Chu Cbcog-kusl(19t/), is a @rticalcrlindric.l €ntranccto the burow of 42- 56 (s diametctwith thc apparcotfuaaioa of ah supplyto tlc borrow. Thc opcningof thc air hol€b at th€ grold surfaccaboyE thc buros. Ttc funcioa of thi! apcttDrcmay bc to allowa! air supply,and as an crit for th! aliSator,ir tim6 of Boodri! thc.ai!y scaso[ Air hoL6 atr a r€Dlsr fcetuc ofburro*s on tho f,at allwial plaiawhcrc floodirg is com[oo aDdfcw air holcsarc sccnin hill regiol burroca. iil The tu'let Tt€ bonod of thc tulrcl is smoothvtilc thEtop L arciformso tlat the tumel in s€dio! is a scmicicla Thc adult alligatorstuacl is 3&5 co hig\ 9{() (o widc' with a vcry smoothirncr surface whichbccodcs hidy conpadedby tlc passagcof th€ alligato.to a dcpthof+5 cE into ttc burrowwaq with a compl€tclydificrent tc*u.c to thc loo6csoil crtcrnalto thir rampart The le!8th of a tuncl is conelatedwith tic alligato$agc. Addt alligatorburrorB Eay be 10- 25 E leDgth wbilc tho6cofyoulg alligatorsEay bc about3 - 10E Thc ttDrcl haBtwirE td tut!3 firlrdiotitrg to maintair srabbtcEpcrarurc6 aad to discouragccncnics. 3l Thc chanber Thc ctarBberb a widctrcdpart of thc tu.n€l rougblyrouad or elliptiel ard usually locatedat thc codlucnccof tm forls. It is probablytf,c placr whcrc thc alligatorcar tul! arcundl'ithi! the tuind ChaEbcrsizc Erira *i& a diaDctcrof€ - 60.n anda hcigfuof 42 - 50 citr. 4l Thc slecphgplatfo.D: A fat platfo.o is usualylocatcd at or lcrr the cid ofa tudiel that ou\rcs upward Thc p|atformis cllipic aad90 - 150co lorg aad,(} - 70 cm widc. A.lligatorswe haecirvestigated durirg their hibematiotrpcriod arc alwaysfouod h this sccion of thc burrorr. t Thc poot A pool ofwatcr is usualyfoud i! tle d€.p.st part oI thc burro'. T[€ shapeand si2! of tte pool varicsbut it is usuallylargcr thaa thc slccpingplaford. In somcshort simple burrows therc b tro Fol but h largcr burows sith t*o b@chc6I i6 $uatly foondat thc cld of thc dwaward slopiry bmnch ard soEc pool6haw a sho caaalcomcccn Thc poolshold waterall ]€ar. Thc coGtn cfior oftic bulrw rclatcsto tf,e aga,scx and habitat ofthe aligato.. Hatrl'lincs f, g1 tcndcrct towads usilg Drtur'alholca ar4 ar tlcy grow,t[ey rcbuild aadeeaad aaddccFr thc holc. Thc borrw at otroy€ar of agr i! rclativclysinple wi(i a sirylc opcdn& 1-2m of tutnel andtro chaDb€r,pool o. pladord. As thc aligator go$s tftc burrowis madedorc coEpl€x. T*o brarchcs*ith a chamberare 6$t built, additioDaloFnings a.trda pladors addedard fiaaltya pool corstrudcd Thc tutnel of females iBmorc coEpl€xtha! that of dale.sbccausc vithid lhc fcdalc tunel thetc atc seall forls to seweas thc habitatofjwcdilcs. Tempcf,aturcamc€sured withitr alligalo.burrows alc sho*Dir tablc 1 *ith the associatedair t€mpcrature.s ousidc thc brrros. Scalonalcha4ca of air tcDp€raturcilr thc ralgp oI tf,c alltator L rrry disrind with a mirimus h January.!d a dalirtue ir JuIy. Thc vrJiationbetftcn dayatrd oigfu ai. tempcrattrasis also di*ilct Tfr Ecan difidcDcc bctercr Baridum andminimum air iemperatuc canb€ 75 e in Jauuary, E.6C in Apr4 7.6 e ia July and&4 C i! October. E!tscEc ';i6rh t€d[reratutGsrc4o.dcd \r'Erc air = 13.7C. carth surfacc- - 233 C andcllamc maima wcrcAir = ,10.7C ard .arti surfacc726 C. ,a Sca6onaldangcs within thc burorv arc mucf,less eircEe Cfabh f). Ttcrc is tro clargc fron dayto aight atrdleiloral ctrrcEcs arc lcss"Thc ChinascAliSator car efiedivclytherDoregulatc;thi! its burow. Thc bu.row shaF prelErts rapid af,&ssof outsideair ad tie dcrpq burrow[vek piovidca $rEm€r rcsortfroo heatald a safchibcrnac!.luo in winfer. Thc Giaesc i.lligator spcoasajprodnately sir Eont-.l\resrricrld ro,its burrow bur onlyrbe pcriod De.eebc. to nid Feb.ua; i5 sp; in dcepjunbcr. Ia ."rc reoruaryttrc alligalorbegi,s to arcu5.. Expcrineaa havcshwn tlat ttre.rigator ncr/sio driDr at dEelur. tlc -tbi: oulsi+ air rcDpcratureb sril t€ry low (Mear air reEperatuc aiul 59 C). Thc ar|rgaror|3 aOlcto oDtair$,atcr ftoE thc pooli[ its burrowtatlcr thar (fael oursidcto &itrL Dudtg rcry whci rarcr :ot T:thcr gursid! rupplicsdry upthc anigatoragah ha. eater in irs burrowpool anddr ttrur tidl ovcr a! adwt3r scasoo.A lot of cxpcrioctttslarE show! ttat nornal gonaddclElopnclt does rot falc p|.cc i! Chi4sc Alligaforsoovcd ftoo tbcir butrw8 ands€ttled h &-artificial eDvrroni€d !o hibcmarc.Ttc burros is tbcrcforcs€€B to bc vsryiEponanr for thc aligaforslifc, Alicato.s dcel ia thcir burrowticir wholr lifc and*ill oolylcavc if thc burrowis dqrrof,cd. Sclecionof a burtow.ira Tablcs2 and3 presentidormation oo a larganuobcr of alligatorbo'.ows *ith rcspc.t to thc locatior .rd orientatio! cho6crfo. burrowrocatiod. Burrow locatioo is sc]"nto be closcly i!fl]rc.dcad by-tolography, vcgctaaio! ard soil Burows arc prclcrctially locateda9iEst hils ad barts, or o! islardsrat!€r tha! otr balk boundcdby opctr6ctds. h r.hchiU localb burro*s-*h"r" ,c-".-r, ,s boundcdo! tbrec sid€6by hirr' thc burrowsarc praccdacar a ditcbthat fLrs into trr r€s€noi.." otr thr aluvisl plai.s' wtcrc !ord! a'. ofter surroutr&dby 6eld!,burrowa arc ptacedwicrcvcr theraii a high€i barl or at thc basoofoourda. L.ltioir witi loo€csoil andluudant rcgctatiotrarc pr.ferrcd ltc vcgctationarould allig.lo. burross appea'spartiqrlarly lush- courso! ard HcrDadezirao) .cportcdlush rcgctatip gr9-stharousd A.Ecri:an AlliSaror holc.s relatcd ro I{H4HCO3€raercd by thc a}iigaior. Thc oricntatioaof burrw opcaiog is not disrin y rclaredto bulrw tocado;bu Tabtes: and3 both irdicatc soutt facingoricotatiors arc morc commod"south faciDg ori€aratiors are wamcr i! .rvhtcaand coolca itr BurrowdiggiDg bchavior. Burrow coDsEu€io! appcars to bc ilsrirctivc. Hatchlitrgsshow a! urlca.tred acad€acyto associatc\rith rrtual holc6i! the holow ofbanr."atrd squcrzc ard tr" mu* suchdaturar locatioDaarc seledcdatd thc holc e.4ardcdsnd dccpcocd Burow cout trction"t6bchavior ha! bcetr obccn€di! ],ourrgaligators 10 Eotrths old raiscdir captivityard t[e! ,elcas€dinto [atu.a Attcr Z-3 eTls Dgt of qc ,ollrq ca.odig a tuDlcl 30 -40on lorg. Burrws arc mo6tlycostructci ia the middlc nd l:fc Scptcnbcrcach,aar whcn cold air froh the North is 6.s! €rpcricnccd-Thc Eean air tcm!,cratu. at thir tioc is about4c. Frod this rimc util thc o[sct of hibcmado; aligaton canbc sccr rebuiidbg aadeqaading tbcir burrows Wh€r-building burrox.s.aflig{ors dig rhc srout ard foul lidb6 dc€pbto thc soil alrdpusl backaad fort[ witf, tbc bacl of its hc.adad rccl ard anrcriorbody. Ttc ciistacsdrtum ilr thcscoaits firncion asa soade to shoycla tuscl tirougi thc soil Thr hcadis uscdlil(c a bulldozq to pug soil outsidr ttc burrow. FloggiDgwith thc tail andprcssirg *ith the bodyptay a rolc ia compactingthc tuDrcl yalts. Ca\icils ofthe bunow nay bc fatal to aligatorsrvithitr as *r haw foundar alligtor trappedbetrrccr two collapscd.ocf! ard ldled by asphFiatio4 at thartinc it badnadc tEo operiEgs. Rcfcrcscca Ch€[ltt$ tfua Zlaohc & Li Binghu41985. Cti..s AUigaror,Anhui Scierri.ficand Tectlologic.l prefs, ADhui Cthr. CLUChcrg Ituaa 1957.Obsrry.tiods on thc lifc htuory of thc China3cAligator (A.Uigatorsilersis), Aca zoofuica Sinica9(2):129145. !!d:oD Rt+ * I H.l'|land% 19t8,Alligator n€tabolbn, studiesotr chcEicrl reacrioDsin vivo. Comp. Biochc4. PbEiol T4(1): FlE. r An aelia1 view of a burro$ Fla. 2 ,asectionel drewlng of a bu!'t'ow Fis. , A cross section of tuntrel; A,EopenLng; B=chanbefi C=€leeDingplatforrn: Foooli F=eir hole! l{=r.ate!s BC=uDUerdtullnel i BHorru.erd tunneli 1.7--t e It sho{s thet the distaoce fron the bottott of tunnel to the earth surface is 1.7n :i Frg.2 Frg.3 50 .oP ! \9 .o ,o 6 Fc! o e o a s _!d YAfn'^s\.@to;o(o NNNd .r @ r\ h @ $cF @ i) - ol s.o o\- 6 rJ\r\\o6060\0 6 6 0 F 6 @^r ^r \-o 6 6q N i A'^ e 9P \o @= o. C\l S C\ rt\ d s@ (O c! F - i(\IAINOJC\FF <. 6\.OF@^Odc\ 51 6 T.1iItl Eo) i; 2" B 'i6 o 9 f e! 3 9E+!: 5 EE EE ;j5 6 dn AAJ}AdIf-"f 11li s@\oF\a, Cvsn..\(\J qi ; rr q: o F .r s E: $l d s d E9 rrNF\O@ f,? ll so) F(oAIF\O\.o to9 q .-f e: E :.c. o; :oPs q a 9fiFgg ji!;d - Z a.E 61b], 6d(Ddo6 aod (d ro , a [,nn .E;_3.83 3 l:0!.no>!o ,ad..g*-r4 1r i> > o i; OA t> ! 6t t E Sa,lmaayof Alligator FarrningRecords in Florida By Dennis N. David Florida can|eand Fresh Water Fish Cofinission 4005 SouthMain Street cainesville, Flor ida 3260t-9099 presented at the 10th Wo.king ileet ing ot the IuCl.l/SSCCrocod i le Specialist croup 23-27April 1990 cainesville, Flor ida U.s.A. Int roduction The Florida can€ and Fresh Water Fish Cqrmission (Cormissron) has naintained records ot alligator farm stock and annual production stnce the inception ot a igator farming in the state. Bet\rreen1969 and 1977, Collmissionenforcement personnel recorded inventory and production figures permitting for sorE fa.m tacilities, of alligator tarms for connerctal hide and ||Eat production began in 1978 tot loviring the federal reclassification of alligators fron endangeredto threatened, rhich al lolred the sale of hides where it could be dsnonstrated that the anrmats werc legally acquird and producedtromcaptive stock (Neal 1977). Since 1978, fariE have been required by the Connission to report changes In inventorieg. These aecordswere used to developa prof i le of FIorida,s alligator farming industry to evaluate trends in alligato|. farming trofi 1969 to 1989. For the purpose of this paper, a tann is consioereo a facility which maintained captive stock bet,r/een1969 and 1978 and was subsequently authorized to conmercially harvest alligators or was permitled as an a igator fa.m since t97g- Chahges in the n@ber of fafiE, inventory ot stock maintained on tarms, egg and hatchling p.oduction,reproductive elficiency of femalebreeders, and hide andmeat production were evaluated, Interpretation of trend6 provided an opportunityto makeshort term projectionson hide andmeat production. Additionally, grosaestinates ot thevalue of tann-rearedalligarorsv/erc made based on Cdrmission records and price levels paovided by the indu6try. FarmLeve Is ortly four tarm facilities that maintainedaltigators for captive propagationsubsequent ly beganto conrErciallynarket alligators after 1978(Figure 1)- Hoflever,during the i98O,s, the n(mberof a igator tanns incroasednearly nine fold. lhe najority of the gror/thocctrrred betveen 1982 and 1988, rNfienpennitting of n6, tarrns reflected an 18% annualrate ot increase(Figure l). The rapid gro\rthmay be explainedby the incrcasingavailability of wi ld sggsand hatchlings and the perceived protitability of tarmingby entrcp.eneurs.the 19Bgannual inventory of licenscd and pcrmitted tarris indicated 35 farms|r|aintained breeding srocK (Figure2)i 11 tan|lErcared onlywi ld stockor hadnot yet obtainedstock. Using the nt'mberot fsrlale breedersas an indicator ot the relative size and annualproduction potential of a falm, these recordsindicate that the relative proportion of small, rEdirm, and large tarms rqnained rclatively stableduring thc 1980's(Figure 2) and that averageta.m slze did not increasesubstantially over that t i.re. Thc total alligator inventory on farmsbetween 1982 and 1989inc.eased '!0,800 from to 92,750. The greatest increase occurred betv/een.t987 and 1989. The total annual inv6ntoryot all tarms increasedan averageof '13,750 affigators each year or A2.L.nnually du.ing this period. This 55 increase is a result ot the expansionof breedingstock, an increasein breeder etficiency, and the develoFrientof the alligator managerEnr prograrn whichpermitted expanded collection ol hatchlingsand eggs Caotive Production Hatch rates of captively produced eggs are based on tarner /epo.ts prior to 1981and on-site inspectionsof egg and hatchling production by Cdnnissionpersonnel since 1981. Reportedegg production inctudes atl eggs for EorE laams oi years and only incubated eggs on other farms. Records available tron 1 to 3 farns annually betr{een i969 and iggt re ect an average halch rate of approxinately SO%- Hatch rates ot the E to 35 farms reporting annually betucen 1902 and 1989 averaged 33% with no appa.ent trend (Figure 3)- Bcported annual hatchling production on faftls between 1969 and 19g1 vaaied bctvreenO and 1,OOO;ho{revea, the nunber of farms reporttng each year wag low (1 to 3). The nrmbe. ot tarns ihcreased through the 1980,s with annual captive hatchling production betrrreenig84 and t9g9 averagtng 280 hatchl ings per farln. The nurber ot hatchling3 produced per fernale breeder, called Annual Reproduct iv6 Etficiency (ARE)by codvrin and Cardei lhac ( 19gl), can be used ag an index to captive propagation succegs, Faftls must maintain a mlnimun annualAFEof 7 hatchlings per fqnate to bc successtul (CardeilhacjgEE), AFE was evaluated betrueen1993 and 1989 tor: (1) all farns, (Z) the 5 farnts with the highest annual AREand (3) renaining tarms less the top S. Etets€cn1983 and 1989, the average AFE for all far|tE was 2,51 hatchlings pcr f€riale breeder. The ARE rernainedunchanged betlrreen 1982 and 1985 at 56 2.0 and increased to 3.4 through 1989. Although the AF€ dropped in 1989, there appearsto be a slight increasing trend since 19gS(Figu.e 4). The ARE tor the top tive farms averaged 6.33 hatchlings per female between 1983 and 1989, whereas the rqnaining farms avcraged only 1,4A. Thc AFE lor the top 5 fanrE de€reaged from 6.6 to 4-8 betweeh 1984 and 1985but steadily increasedthereafter to t1.5 in t9g9 (Figure 4). This increa3ing trend is a result ot 13 individual fams occupyingthe top-s categoryduring thc 7 year period, Thrce individlal tarmswere in the too category 5 of the 7 years, dtrich dsnonstfateE maintaining a high AFE is attainablo but that individual farms are not consistenIy attaining high ARE'S. The size of the 13 ta.|rE (based on the nunber of breeders) occurring in the top category !/ere diet|.ibuted in proportioh to their overall occurrence. Therefore, the size of a farm is not correlated with a high ARE. Ove. the 7 year poriod, the top-5 farm categorymaintained only 23ot the br6eding f$816, but accountedfor 58%of the captive hatchling production. By coriparison, in 1989, 30 ot the 35 ta.nE with breederg r€intaincd 85f of the tdllales but accounted for only 49%ot the hatchlings producedin captivity. The increase in the nrrnberof farms, expansion ot breeding slock, and i.nprovedbroeder cfficiency has resulted in a substahtial inc.easein the nuiber of captively propagatedhatchlings. Captive hatchting production incroasedtron 1,031 in 1981to 15,074 in tggg. A turther increasein the nurber ol captive hatchlings on tarmscan also be attributed to hatqhling stock obtained trom experintental research proiects and expansion ot ranching prograns initiated by the Conmission in 1997, Ebtrreen1981 and 1986, 15,464hatchlings wqre placed on ta.ms frqn the wi ld as a result of research prograiE. Starting in 1987, nd, egg and hatchling harvests trorn I the wi ld u/ere inplenented. Eggand hatchling collections and a conttnued supply of hatchlings provided from research projects resulted in 35,088 Florida ranchedhatchlings being placed on farnrsbetween 19e7 and lgEs. An additional 14,'t3Oranched hatchlings itere importedfrom Louisranaand Texas between 1988 and 1999, As a result 49,2j8 wi ld hatchlings rcre placed .t987 on Florida all igator farns since Septente. (Figu.e 5). Farm Harvegt The increagedproduction of alligato.s propagatedon fans and the increased availabil ity of wi ld hatchlinge to fa.ms has resutteo In an increasednhber of alligator hides being tagged and sold in the hide market, Approximately A00 hides per year \/ere tagged and sold between 1978 and 1983. lhe nrmbe. of hides tagged each year increased steaditv trom 738 in 1984to 16,385 in 1981(Figure 6). Hide prices fluctuated near q2Oper linear toot betu/een19gO and 1986 and increasedabovc 930 per linea. toot tolloring 19e7 (Figure 7). Hoxever, thc averagc value ot a farm produced alligatoa decaeasedfron 't98S approxiDately1225.00 in to approxiriatelyt2OO.OO from 1986th.ough .t2.5%, 1988- Total carcass value decreased only despite a 25%qecrease in hide sire and a 5m decline in neat yietd trom each carcass, Higher hide prices diminished the relative value ot meat from a carcass, providing an incentive to ha.vest s.naller alligators at an earlier age. Industry sources;eported that this harvest strategy inc.eased cash ovr, while rltaintaining an acceptable overall return for each antmal slaughtered, Eased on fanner aeports, increages in hide prices aerurneo the averageanimal value to approximatetyg22S in 198S. 5A The increasedharvest of farm-rearedanimals was aeflected in the overall increasein total ||€at productionfrom tarms, irt_.at production increased trc/.n27,962 poundsin tg85 to approximately128,379 pounds in 1989,despite a decline in averagerEat yield tron 20 poundsper alligator in 1985to 6.7 poundsin 1909(Figure g). the ability to project future tarm harvest levels is valuable to regulato.yagencies and the industry. Estir€ted productionlevets allo, regulatorsto anticipate the rnanpowerand tag allotmentnecded to monttor productionand permit the industry to plan for facility develognenrano initiate marketingstrategies aimed at maintaininga steadymarkct. Becausethe inventoryof rea.ing stock presen y maintainedon Florida tarnrs is known,2 year productionprojections can bc maderelatively safely providedmarket conditions reiain stable. Theseproiecttons can be madebased on the nrmberand age of rearing stock and recent trends in the rate of harvest. Harvestrales ot 2-yearold alligators, calculated ae the percentageot hatchlings ptacedon farms 2 years betore, increased tromapproximately 25% to soi prior to i996, to approximately80% during the past3 years (1987-89), Projectionsbased on the staughte.of gOAof the 2 year ageclass indicatehide productionfigures of 24,350hides in 1990and 28,100 hides in 19€l (Figu.eS). This production\r/ould represent a 724 increaseover the nert 2 years. Longerterm estimates,although nore speculative,can be madator harvest l6vels beyond 1991 based on trends :n captive D.oduction and anticipatedexpansion of ranchingprograns that wouldprovide ro.e wi ld eggs and haichlings tor captive rearing, Assuninga continuedannual improvenentin captive productionot the O-2 hatchlings per fqnale observedsince 1983and a diminishedexpansion ot ranchingstock to 7%per year as fe$c. suitable collection areas are available, faam hide productionlrould increaseto approximately32,1?2 hides by 19g3(Figure 9). Basedon theseprojections, and assuning current productvalues, the gross value of alligator productionon fanrE could doubleto over g7.2 million by 1993(Tabte 1). Sumalv Thcre has been a substantial increaso in the nmber of captively producedhatchlings on Florida alligator farnrsover the last decade,That increaseis largely attributable to increasesin the nunberof breeders and tanns, as !/velI as rbderate improvqient in the nrmberot hatchlings producedper fqnale. lt is clear that substantial improvqrEntsare neeoeo to ancreasecaptive productionto a profitable ARE,but until those imp.ovdnentsar6 achieved, Florida's alligator managenEntprograns that makewi ld stock available fo. rearingon far[rBwi lt continueto account for the nrajor increaso in tarm inventory. Further increases In faam productiona.e possible,ass|.ming improvdrFnts in captive propagationand expansionot aanchedalligators frommanagarEnl of wi ld populations. Literatu.e Cited Cardeilhac,P-T- 1988. Husbandryand preventative iEdicine practicesthat increasereproductive etficiency of breedingcolonies of alligators. AquacuIturc Fepo.l Series, AquacultureMarket OevetoprEnt Aid project [r89T17. Florida ocpartn€ntot Agriculture and ConsunerServices, Oivision ot l,larketing,Tal Iahassee, Florida. Godwin,F- andP.T. Cardeilhac. .t981, probl€rnswith low reoroductive efticiency in captive alligators _ilXproc, First Annualproduction Conference,cainesvi I le, Florida. pages65-?2. 60 Neal, W. 1977. Endangeredand threatened Dlants: .eclassif icat ioh of the Arerican alligato. in Florida to threatened, FederaI Register (42FR2076,10 rjan. 1977). 61 Table 1. EstinEted gross value ot fa.m-rearedall igators tro.n 19g4through 1983- Fann-RearedAI I igators ESTIiATEDGMSS VAUJE Avcragc Length ireat Valuc Year Harvest I fcct I HidoVa luc [email protected]/tb. ) Total valuc 'r68,400 1984 738 t 84,600 s 81,800 t '| 1985 , 339 6.0 t t66,5oo s 153,600 I 320,r00 1986 3,921 I 443,300 t 319,600 I 762,S00 1987 6,479 4.5 I 91S,000 I 385,000 t1 ,304,000 1988 7,31? 4.5 tl, 107,400 I 450,000 $1,557,400 1989 r6,385 4.5 92,82r,800 11,064,800 93,686,600 1990 23,686 $5,329,400' tEgl 27,O29 06,os1 , sool 1992 29,829 $6,71r , 5OOr 1993 32,172 $7,238,TOOi Proiectcdtigures basedon alligator carcas6value of a228. 62 o) @ @ @t |oE o€ r8 .o; c"g @E N€ @E (o€ 9 o! coE ! dr< ; F. !u i o> ; NF N,E N G'; l\c = |{)i o N rtt G N9 (i,: fi l\o lr. 6tb o l-2 E t tll t\= o o N o) z @ o w o o I |o @ @G Ll uJ o (t t(t @ N .E (t) !! zY ta< tI- oe o o o zE UJ t0 I z 5., g (u c,, oq Go\ @ E Rfi .^2 :.1 L =ta t\ N , .c9 Pi: |o l\ {J !.c' O.F c) o! F oo IJJ k E t\ o L5 k ot oro @ l!q oN@('tig)Otc' oooooooo qroo LO E {-,tdt o(J@ o_ rF =or o r9 F Eap a LU J 5> x {J,p [,] :.F LI t--€ +, oP(J a cc :EE CE s ta) 3fi -o E I o l! J o NeE- IJJ ll. a) !o- E, .olrrr uJ cc o. =-- CA tr (t J -:oc J z L {J(u. J 5 q, EOr cno L@ o I F 't' oto@(orfoto o L J 3 E I ru oF I o t;-'l L [:.::i.]l @ CE IJJ -c C)= F 6 IIJ -o o ! .PCEI T @ N q, o @ = o0 J ,- o l! o N z @ (t) I .{, -'L of ? LC F .Fc -E ! Att (u dcc r <.: v) IJJ € zo U) f o (\,1 !t E F o rA UJ L = oll. uJ .o ._! z l, =((t 68 ET FO '|' FE -: r..= (o to lo< Po @ IJJ uJ 9t: > :s.I F tr he5 o ll o. -.-- o < :,F ^ t! o g.".: CE t ..tse I ;'5; zlrj J rrE q c.! q or€ A f F160 o (|, .aJ r_r I J J o =E5 (grOt('N9ggoooo ro ol tt J o? N J€ 2 g ;>u'r { ct ; Lll z? o_ -\ o o =g i ) -'i .o- [t EH to Fo N a+, o^ := z o o u'5 F RP e,i O x 3e :) o Y o .3.F o I oY .!i; o_ 'o= ti sJ a) EE €: F o@ :o odi 2 F J .; I oJ .og s* i3 3P fln |o E @ N @ @ ao @ @ IJJ m o'r!o coqr> e3* a) o 9G= J 5;€ o G *'6Ps9 q, @ IJJ o:6 o E;,i (! o) ol ao €5cr o e9UP-'i F o< N @uJ o6h (t) o o IIJ t- o i93E (9 F 5== P J o EgE. J uJ a) ;d:E = '- oc, ur -sE o €cgF t I lt 589= o r-EN - ct.. c E .{r:o ut ct gkH: z ont o lr.qo 7L Appendlx I GFCForn 1000AF ALLIGATOFFAF' AI$UqL EEFOAT For the Rcporl year Ending Dec.riber gl, _ Farn Narp Farm Licengee Nzna Addresg lel cphonc Nt,||bers 1. Nurbcr of livc alligato.s on iry fa.m ae ot Oec.nber3t last acpoatyear 2. Total nunberof clutches producedfron nssts on my tarm this repo.t yca. Grand total ot alligator eggs producd by breederson my farm lhrs report ycar (includeeggs culld prior to incubati;n) 4. Nurter of eggs reported in No, 3 that were incub.ted on my tarn this rcport yea. 5. Nurb€r of hatchling at ligato.g producedfron eggs reported In No. 4 that wcre rctained and wcre surviving on m),farm as ol Dccdor 31 this report year, Nuibcr ot wi ld alligator gggs that u/ero transterred trorn the eggqollection coordinatorunder ths public landsegg collection progran, and incubatcdon ,ny farm this rcport year 7. t&Jber ot hatchlingg producedtroo public lands eggs rcported in lto. 6 that v/gre .etaind and gu|.vivingon rry fann as ot Decqrber31 ot this report year 8- NLmborof cggs that ws.e trangtear€d to m t.orn private lands alligator tmnagqnent progran permitt6es and incubatedonl|ry tarm this rcpoatyeaa 9. Nrtber ot hatchlings producedtron private lands eggs .eported in No. E that v,cre retained and surviving on flry tarm as ot Decsrber31 this rcport year Appeodix I (conttuued) € Form 1000AF 10. Nl|lber ot "orphaned"eggs transferred to nE tron nuisance alligatof prograntrappers serving as rry alligator farming agent(5) this report year Nmberot hatchlingsproduced lrom nuisance alligator progran rrorphand"eggs reported in No, 10 that r,wre retained and su.viving on my farm as ol Oc€embcr31 of this rcpo.t yoar 12. Nunborof "guppldr|ent"hatchlings received t ro.nu. of F. Co-opLhit this report year 13. N|ftber ot "supplEient" hatchlings trom U. ot F. Co-optJnit that werc tctained and$ere surviving on my tarm as ot Oecenber31 of thig report year 14. Nunbe.of wi ld hatchlings collected lrom countica assigned to [F under thc alatqide hatchling collection program th is repo. t year 15. Nr-r$crof wild hatchlinge reported in flo, 't4 that wcre rotained and surviving on my la.rn a3 ot Oecqrbe.31 ot thig repo.t yea. 16. Total nu|tcr ot live, tr4!![L!!g alligators boughtor tranete.red to iry fa.m this report year (Doeenot include hatchlings reported in No. 12 and 13 above.) I tenize (Li9t eachtransaction); Date Nlrrber Source 17. Nubcr of hatchlings repo.ted in i,lo. l8 that srerc retained and surviving on my farm as of Oeqerber31 ot thig report year 18. Total nunberot live, lg4-hatchlingalligator3 boughtor transferred to my farm this report year I tenize (List eachtransaction): Date Nunber Si ze Source Appetrdlx I (contlnued) GFC Form l000AF 19. Total nurter ot live hatchling al Iigators sold or t ranstear€d fron my larm this report year I temize (List each transaction): Date Nurber Si ze Oest inat ion 20- Total nmber of live lg!-hatchling ajligators sold or transterred from my fal|n this report year I tetliz€ (List 6ach transaction): Date Nuiber Size Destination )1 Nr||berot alligator hide tags used this report year Nur$erof unur€dalligator hide tags returnedwith this rgpo tt Nurber ot d.ad, @:hqlgbljlg altigators to be disposedof by bu.ial andnot hide taggedthis year. (Donot include deadhatchlings of the yea., as theyrrust be dcductedto calcutate figures .6ported as -!g!ltil{.i.!!9.hatchl ings as of Oecsnber31. ) 24. Total nunbcrol breedingal ligators in pondson dry farm al beginningof breedingscagon male fenalc fotal nurborot brcedingalligators in pondson rry farm as ol Decsiber31 ot this report year male fenale 74 AppeDdix I (cotrtinued) eC Form 1000AF 26. crand total nurberof live al I igatorson rry farm as ot Oocqrber31 ot this report yeaf s tzEcLAss 2'-4' 4'-6' 6'-8' 8'+ No. ol Al I igalors GHAI\DTOTAL 27. Nurter of poqndsol tann ncat produccdfron alligatorg that \r€rc taggsd with a ha.vest tag issued to ne, and rcported as u3ed in No. 19 thi3 report y.ar, (Oonot includcmcat prodqced f.om alligator carcageestaggcd with wi ld harvest tags, or harvest tags isguod to another farm.) e8. Nufbcr of pound3of [Eat .sported in No. a6 that vrassold this rcport ycar. (Oonot includciicat fromwi Id alligator carcasees you may have purchagedand processed.) I certify that this record is accurate to thc best ot fity knowledge. Si gned 0ate CD/gs .ev. 3-19-90 FN: I000AF90.FFrl 75 dd g:. gt t E= 99. !!r Et!s si EF! 5g IE Es'r 5"r c6 psr l! !gg t!t lEi r:' '!9ira."a-!f !--:El-!a!rn--5--gc-e-----3-i!-8-! ! 'll 'ggir!S-'l'logt-.I!l-tutir.-I--1.-.-----i-Rr.!F-,c E;. str3n 'rraFEg"8-s:g!-rEr-aFfl !ar ri t;g e"-E--ir-8-t|---g-EgsE-e E!l:aa--t-ara-- 6cn t tti grc tl 'luiFFa--!.gir:i-i3n-!Fll9!-r-igF!9-r---!-{rsrB-F rlH 'Ftl|!|5--l-t!.ar-rgq-rq.gg--!-BRcr|.-a---_-s3!e-r B3€ *E 3ro l3l F.. !!ll*lrfuEisffi lisgeEEr,i:,!1tusitr grsfuaEFeSsrs Eglt!lsi!lggsIEi:ciE:sI3ffEagllEEfugs3Esgssis;E a EI 6r 3q t6:.t |I g-t -t I Efffi'cEigFiglEEEsHe:E!,r!,!lt g#lasiliffigti*Fs El!;tftig*sfitEi:rEft II3ffErulEEgfu i'gEEEfug I Er 7' dd 3{ ! !E sNo !t :i:? It sl a! ir g'r rtB E! 543 tgg ::" I I !Ei ::o g {a "'f, -E.-l-l-'.--nl--ia:r.s5-.!tagE----!--a--!tc€ F: tEi rg. ;E r3n -3-r-ERr-FF-.!ietarl---grEt--r-t--n--!e-- ie' ; "li|l rEl 930 rgF "'a.l--l-r-r.l-=lr-!Frlrtr.-r!raFe9.-$ --g--rrs3 g g!{ ..'ar!--l-r-.as-.1!-.c.gig--_aattrl!-t--3--.!af l I rEa"El---l!.a--a-a--!a-tt *^.j i --rar!Er_-_35!era€-a--r--rrri!c tal I iar i 5!ll'*tElianllhHglfi,ilr,:ilslti;i,t gl5i!!33r!!#!E:sigliitlclIEffiliaaEEeFF *l EEElgs:5EEEiil; EIqr T t8 :tl ""'8"3""r--5--!gsgSgd---!-3!h!----.------! €E' tg ""8"!""r--t--3tH!F3r---r-g:h!!------3l €ia! '!l-!8rre5o-"g 99. sg'r'gsl'sp-!:!lsqt6"5B!!iEg"--EBE:€s.r- e9 g-ga!-s€;s ES .!i' ..3F6-n3'tt---r f Eiin.raN---:----re- ea5st €4" t ri tlt Ett axE CE 3t gl-.-:l<---arr3e-F.--:r.-rF3_i_rF s EF F"E I aFt'gssl€E13g.-lg-l:ttttgg---i8rr.E---E-iE9-irF-' tE- r E5 is E' 33li'ggsFg#lEgtlEqgAa,i#,tii,esisisgli;6sEE5E -: sFiHiE$FssfuEtEi:sFF;ssEleslEalgEgEeFsF;gEgFs'; 3.s +! itcslgiElsEfr55ii;tFis:i,iEr;sgii*gsessEiilg;i; v9 Edl Fsl s'88-3r' ag|. s-' s:' s GilEgl' d.l8 5gl g=ls:l t.jl lid I EEI gg : !5:5333t ! :!3!: f :3r :3t !: !3 3 :3i 33:::333 :: 5::=l:: 3::: :35:r! 3:..=:5:3o gf E5l! a Fr--a-c!e crsF'i !g ll'g'o-n--- 6r' ''P' st-' Ei '- F: =I | g€B uE E€--3'!Ras""UFf,?*Fs-ss--sd-- Be -g 3O['F'u:r"' gns P 8i"g'F;git!--EFH'sFs-se--Fc-= Eal!'i'eae-ge gr" gil -B$ 'aE!r-!:'Fciss E$lu'*"**""-" Fss 8-E3lt!r|tt rE--!-sldE---gri-! as|qir-rag -E !$ lC Eas :-oC'-nt lsrE-r:iqe-rc- s!.3FF g.n efl ir " , le3*rE*cEEl$eEfus$srEfEts,*;serifficu5 , lEEiffsgEsES:eEE:c#:srEEal;ssEEsFeigFgg; cEgsssi$iFEg;gFFE:g*sEEEes5E;sEEssgEEFFFi *Eri 80 :d 3 :a EE g! gEs ;SrEE=€€C.FF-t!!nE::gs--gAg:S€6r-ggggg,rsq6e s€et rHfi e ;sg it FiEF sEgF-F =E-gFSFE"!i--n-EgFne--;sg-8Eg-sgar{a,ea d6 Be3 F' I b-: sEi EJ c.od!€g =li FE Fl'sEeiEEE*g*8fuel:n$fEEeE-sHnirgEngcE3 ii I E;ggrggEEg:gEs*cgBts:3EastEEgEaHsi$Eggsil E g c s*ssEEEEf;$srEFgsF*:ErrrsSSissEsesFgsE3t,F* 81 idl gEl 3[=-'*"-'- gr* fr=l :EI -s- -- | E= | I 5sl9l :Hl EEI d. l gsl 3: :: !:: I ! -q =:" EgF: 3 = "=::: 2 5:: :!::3:::: : 3:3-q sbs F EEF" = :s3= a -r:-R=--s-scFcF-R--6Ef EEI$g iva'*l-- E p€. UEF; -g$e 3gl=E'lS"'ea'{€"q'E'i-='="=$E; Es' a f Eg 58" ggll=B-g-"-!a-33*-g-u-*-g-g--!EA; - -= 3rstsod-ir-€n=e€lrE flE€ s; ella EH IFE'HFrs'13. =tF '€s'g-s';rae'Fs Eg! EE BAA ifl fe'ee*- =-oc*tggp _g sEE€s-a-oeR-os= 6e l€F'Re 8*8 , i'ecFr*ecrstEEEEsgEEs$*sEE**8,a , lgeIggEsssFgscss;g:sssEE;FgicaE E! E EF goaS-€-a:cg= -= slte {ui :: EE' E- 5{ -E' Eg il EE*a EE r; lsEgaegc*sa:EEsEaEil;aEEars=- E=EA3g*aEEEcggEgEEEEEEEEEEE gE * 6 sEEgseEEE*eEA::caEasEgaEEcEeCesr 4Z 2 ; q= =g Ef E =; !f= c; FF E Aq = liNn 9 !4 i E = EE od HH lq QqqiRsSas 3 !i 6 r 6A s:o a oR seR €.:= o!Bc 8eF gssEgr*urgE*E*E*r;sEfi;EeE, r{ g:ssrE#EEg 3 ;=EE=EEscs=tgr E ; f xEEEg:Esag:;rEEssgEEEEEgEE84 rd eRs s Eg F8 g*,. alE fisa +s €8'E3qS;Es4€-=q$9EiEsFRegs ASJP E Egsg d =E 6 t43 &€ 5E 8F 9& ! I Ed a a9 i! J- FE rE ;E t=l E= l**Egg=a=gi*H*Eli;rEEsrrE- 3 ;=ig=EEFs**=s=*ssEs=FEEEgs E dHE a gEE:E;Eg;=gErEEgEgE5EEEE-ae 85 Ed I EEI -: I E iL-ss-F" " F5 | .i =3 i :=l E_ i ,EiI 1-t lti i cts I ;l v-i I Esi r!t8:&sat8 F -B g _- c cc ecf.; EE l-""-" p6 jesr;eeesasR 8= s 89s = *cEsESEiEEE*;=fu5- { ggE=fis : Egcs*lgEsfis=gts =- * g a;,9 g = = a, 6ua EaEffffgsgeEFsE*ss Ed c+ g sg !8*o : sE erE s6 3E* =ll Fg 3E 9: dE gj aSaFaatE B 5E i518E9E8 Ul RA 5 R:-BgBdn€foFs FA!: =E 5 uE gs E€:$iiR-F-3s = gs 69D95naoG€c! g fiRSBAF€=c3c=E ;cegERecN6aR -e=! =easaaSac:-re E= IE 44 H,$=E$;EEr* =E 3 EE553EEi$fE ;- cEE.- sEcE F E=EIEeFuEiEE€ * :*€iE i fr*;3; HC 9 ga$a ES- dt5 a PE at 45 =5 5 at Fd ex E5 sg aq ili g I E e* rE 2e rt =s Eg E== HE$uEsE$xE$;* = ca=FF=s*l;E= EH*xx sEiEsi g sEEEsgsFEsgEHEE 89 ed {. N 9 : 7 f F+ $i ii it SE 3s rl r* =E E_ l, l =tl Ei Eg Fg rt $< t; il =; p= {E ii 5-i il =g 9qq 9A$ rl __- iF scr il FE gE I 9l Ed d3 TE 7 t F : *+ &-s s5 E-E E= =g EEg Ed Ed Fg ==; EiES !tE !l! CE eit= q- i l-i tse !s : f(l --a* i!iE 3!E 8U qa s5n ? EI I F 1= F =; -f 9F a == s* t -t:lt l EE F* EE I *E de tl -=sE ( =sigi 9F 959 I E Fg F lssi i|:9 g 5A H: EI{l a8 a dE EI FH aa- t. a =4, 4tla =**1.-t a l'r'I? r== it 3 l*EEd ia-={ - I 5 =FE= eE= 5 5=r! = i5c I "Fe FE E5*J t6E*r F 1=Ea .gS Eq 6 qEfr dEE 5EEg Ffic Eqc Els *d !ti I g 1-' EE t!ts r==a qE EE ti Fe a:d E9( _sg a aa- sg s .:: FF- 46 +S 'E- g= N-A 6A Eica F * gE ii :ia =6 E$- 89 g: gi 3lg AH Ea ge SE EF :* =!i li 1 ! gE ts T : RE ii ti il etE c€ =€ !* E* ilE Eg E: =s =6 E* IE' E{ r3E I !l i;; 6 FEE ==i =cE= I r;a 3 4iEr *F *FE = EgI E 3 EEgi € l 9-E =2 qE5 tqE i"sE= g-.E 2 EEd E:5 EEqc Eit 93 Ed FF FE I 'F- 3 t ft5 E 'E' p= Er, =6 3rt =r 'E' E' F. Hd gE 'E' !rE !l; -.rE CE et 3; 5-.i Eg aa s:* =E EE HE =E' EH i€3 2 F =a 3 =a aa gE- *- a I t = EE Fs EF gE E trA =c HE =s E 9t5 0 E E e _9 9A - t: =- 'E- F*ea a 'E' a aa; =d IE rT -s- naSB *I *E ?4. t 92, - ts dlr gt= E-= ==1 3 i5; 3 f=ql Eg ** c c =gr 14-. F Eg' E 3 a ESI E EE :9 s,.i = =a s = =E; IEE 95a rEE Eqc E*c a E{c F*s ri 93 s-' s= r=EB 4F 5F RFe' St- {H == sg gEE $E- =5 EE aa- FH 2 cq F sE s5E IE 6 ;qg Fd sg Ed 153 E5 SH E= F€ FE si i? EE:F g E! EHE d- 5q =* 5E E{ AE Ej UI =E 55 E* ES :{S t2g H"EF: HEE= a EgAE =EEc H33a 3 5 F==X f* Ez HEe: E 5 FEca E iErB dFE 6 {-rF sqE =Eqc E{u +Eqc Eig 'E- Ed FEI 4t= idl E=i 9 : ci g= sEl Ec .t qE Er-, i !EI EE Ea! -E- :-l !tl Ed Hdl Fg -fr- Esl UE ;dl g: {=l -El #E EEI :-l !rj Fil ssl r: =i5 sg lt sa- = 439 r€ P5 g* 5 AE eEF !r6 =E a gE=g s{.: HE 1Z F= H; 6F i* EF 4E Ed t E E*i F g=d. p! r€ r{ EE E5 !lJ !tJ =6 E= Eg :S* J$E HE= Hg= =di +r-=d3 5 a=E 3 q=- rE ESE E : EEc F g ibr iEE s =g; aF€ FiBq Eis Egq Fas 97 cts g= 2 2 e= FE ig =E qe E!E =s EA !l =; Ed Eg s= r= g5 gEe; !: Ei Eg FS s3* =a* =E !lE a HE >; AH =F' 2 tst E Ei r= 8A g = = .t ss EE ia F* P- RF =fi| *F -g ssJ g Rga E a E dE t *s &a?- t: HI a a =* =* 1 t-l :SE #gE CE =PA it =5 = si= t srl F ErE E.- -E 6 g'iE :o a gFE a Hf;E98 FE*EE 6 5 I rl 6 stsEA qF 3E qF == sp aE et CEE g EF 5:= E;3 -: 5i 5: F= gE Fs FF tF cB 3E s; d -= EE; TRE I E= d3 r* gF;5 ;6 YJ !i f,' =6 FE FE )?3 )?? * 61; E tc3 6 =E= EgE g=t I B H SE EEe F isE Fi s ie; *q$ 1sB {aE I = =Eq EIE =gE EAs l I Ed ti FE 2 f 9 -s AE a- !rg !E s5 =5 F= F= Hd Ed FE FS -E- !fE !tE 3; cts {= | -.i !t-j C:c ps sFrd 6St EE =E EH i:- 2 ;= E E E == 5 a9 f r'F E Fs trr EF g FE -ts sE-t FS E E !t R9e E FS f Es Rsq g: t: .e EH a|R- It a TP iE I 5ri 3 = 6 ?.iz EE EE r a F a= = . 3 : i= E F 5*e f =E€ g ts ,l e:F $ g qH IFF f Fg Fr! 1m: E3 5E: vi tl E* 5 I 'rpE6| E! EF 9lE sg sg s >t It i5 It 9A g= sgH F au E 95 26 5 6 F< s: F: HE El* 6g F5 93 s5 g? g:d :? =:i glE FF; r EE t5 F= Ei a* Eq i* t5 H= !: ll Fa =E 8t= F= tg? TEE t?z =az =gg !9== s=E t 4 FEs F E EE€ E e5 6 =3; a 444 eEF = EEE E*;"e€ =EE Ffte 101 Ed E= ts 2 7 = EE FI 9q =g Es=6 Eg E= ei r"l YE 9; r= CE H= 's' t= t4 :|j >6 8S Efl sa- iF EE *H e ::- EH i: $ =E eg c 6 FA- EF I F5 EA EF nE s# -dxd =g E sc sg- I -dg E Fg I EI t: RR- e iI a ts=1 3E 5= t- * ;=H s{ SuE EE E._.= c? = Ea 3 =;Ff; : it E * E 3 E i34 = g;e F g ;E g *Sf 5 =gF € SF lqE t E H;5 EAs = Eq Eec '{d 6 6 5 9 r= s=iB SP EF E Ei sg sg aE FE F= -e5sEF € =E E ='s g g aa- ltl s g Es 5€ E= s,3 $E;A tE =3 6 E H= HEE EEE d3 es 9= u4 e*s* CE t= E3 !tl ET FE z a?2 sE;!+t$f; fri- =gE t!=5 = ESrgE 5 E:4 3t ii ?i9 4 * EEEg* F 9;E 35 $ iEAi r-s$ E i=e 103 On the Possibilitv of a New Undesclibed Crocodilian Species fron Colonbia KarJ--Hej.nz Fuchsr, DietrLch Jeldenz i llei.nz wernuth3 1 schillerstlasse 2, 6257 HiinfeLden 2 Oberfeldstlasse 54, 6000 Flanl Colohbian crocodillan skins bave been discovered which have scutes and scales of unusua] f,olrtr and arlangernent. A conpalrson t!'ith the knordn calmana allows the conclusion that they tnight lepresent a specieg as yet undescribed, a possibllity which j-s aLso consideled by Medern (1981). When one of the ceman authorE (Fuchs) on of,ficiaJ. nission ill 1988 exa&ined the stock of a celmat! dealer in reptile skins, he found palts of sklns and one complete hlde of a clocodilia.!! vith unugual'characteristlca. Some of the chalacteristics of these skins devl-ated constde-ably fron those shich ne flnd wlth aII other livlng clocodtleg. the skl,ns have beeD deposited with the "Senckenberg Museun" in Frankfurt an Maj.n. A further skin, to which the authors had no access olrlng t'o techtical reasons, is noqr in the possessj-on of, the "Staatliche ltuseum fur Naturkunde,, i h e+!rrr'. '+ 104 we i,rould palticuLarly 1j-ke to enphasize that this publicati.on aloes not ain at descrLbing a neer species in accoldance with the relevant established ru1es. At present there is no proof that the deviating characterlstics ale genetical-ly fixed and inheri- table wj.tbout nutations tithin a bigger poputation. Furthet:llole, accessj-ble r0aterial so fa! is scargi and. therefole the possibili- ty cannot be excl,ud.ed that Chis Ls only an tndividualty occurinq tnutatlgn. Wlth this pub]-icatton ttle authors intend to point out the facts and lnigj.ate further research in those reqions rdhich provlde a possibLe habitat i!! the wil,d for the caimans in question. Alligatorldae of, Colotnbia Accoldlng to ltedem (1981), four species of caimans can be found ln Colotnbla. the Spectacled Cainat! (Calman crocodilus) , the Black Caima! (l.lelanosuchus nlqe!) and the tr^'o Snooth-fronted Caimans (Paleosuchus palpebrosus anal p. trigonalus) . It is cha- racterlstic of ehelr bel1y sking that they do not have any in- teqrtnentary senge organs (ISO9) and t'hat the ventlal scures have tlro-plece osEiflcations. The skins dl,scussed here also shogr clearl,y these tlro characterlstlcs and therefore can be classlfled aa bel,onglng to the AlJ-lgatorinae. DistrlbutLon The pdrEon in chalge of the reptile gkin codpany in Gernany sai-d lhat he had had fewer thatt f,ive of these unusual skins in his posgegEior!. He haal bought lhem fron a Col.otnbian raw hlde d.eale: frorn Barranquill-a Ln 1972/73, !'ho at that tine dealt ex- qlusiveLy ln caLnan skl,nE originaling from the northerD catch- tnent-bas1n gf the Rio !,tagala1ena. lie ghelefore cannot excluile that the unusual skins orlgtnated from t'he surloundl,ngs of Balranqullla or even f!on! Clenaga crande, between Barranquilla (Atlantico) and Santa l,tarta (t{agd.alena). 105 Descliplion of the Skins Length: lrhoLe skin (SMF74138) 106 cn, tail (SMF?4139) 49 ctn. Col,ouration: dark brown afte! tantllng VenuaL scales I co11a!3 existent and distinctly shapedt Pores (ISO) | non exl.stentt lfansvefse rows: - scutes very big and partly irregular in the qentre of the bellyt only partly ar- ranqeal ltt tlansverse rows i - 22-24 :.tdns''erse rows bet{een co11a! and last ro\r in f,lont of the vent a!ea; - 2-8 scutes ln each transvelse roir i ossiflcatlons: - 1n front of collar r 1.-6. transverse ror., strongly ossi- fiedt - ca.l,Iar: strongly ossifiei - after coLla!: 1.-12. transvelse rort strongly 13. -14. slightly 15.-22. 124,) not ossified; - tail: counting from the firsC rov, behind +Fa UAn+ -165 - 1 . -1 5 . transverse row stlong1y though decreasingly ossifled; 16. transverse row - end of tail r4rith sl i dhn or nd dssi fications. 106 Flank scales: not ossifj-ed and unkeeJ-ed. OnIy existent in distal thi.rd of, flanks attd grouped in lo-.t2 re$rlarly alran_ ged lolrgi.tudinal rows. In between run granlrlar scales which are al.so arranged Ltr transversel- rows, rest of the flanks has only individual scales in the area near the ventral sqal,es t no alevelopmen! of tranaverEe rows ln thl-s part. Size ratj.o betlreen erldlh of lnltermost 1a!9e flark sca:les attd adjacent beLly scutes Ls 0,98:1, simila! to that cf Crocodylug porogus anal completely dif,f,erent f,rom aLl other calEBn species (Calna! crocodilus 1.75-2.47 r1 ; Melanosuchus nLge! 1.55-1 .92t1t Paleosuchus spp. 1-1 .5:1). Taj.l scales: Only in the dl-stal area ate scales arranged in rdhorls. h the proxlmal area, partlcularly nea! the vent area, Do latelal development of \dhorlg. Table 1 Discussi-o!1 table 1 shoirs that i.n the case of ou! unusual skin matelial the form anal arrangement of sqales anal scuteg of the flanks, tail and body differ significantl,y flom the condttions to be found with other ColomSlan cainans. Thl,s ccntext sugqests a conparLson lrith a mutati-on whj-ch Khg (1989) calls a "bl-ologicat spo!t,'. This refers to an unusuat- devj-aClon ehich King dj.scoveled {ith a capt'l-ve bred American alligator, Ai,liqator nississtpiensj.s. fn the caEe of ghl5 animal, only the flanks tm showed a rnutation, however !o such an extent that the characte- ristic bi-g oval scales were not recognizable. With the skin dl,scussed here we also fj-nd granular scales but orly i-n the plorirnat palt of botlr flanks. Contrary Co aII other known caimans. the distal alea has aD addltional 10-12 regu- 1a!Ly running longitudtnal rows on the flank scales. The alran- gement of the venlral and !a11 scutes of the skln described by Kj.ng dld not show any such deviations from the standald vhich dlstinguishes the caiman skins described here f::on all other Ilving crocodiles. Medelr, too, believed in the existetrce of a stll1 unknown and not yet descrj,bed crocodiliat! species Ln the Cienaga cranale a!ea, a large lake situated in the Departaoento de Magdalena on the Calibbean coast of ColoEbj,a betlreen the cities of Barranquilta anal Sanla l.{arta. Meden based his convictlon on lhe descriptions of local caiman hunters. Ile wlote on thLg bvpotheCical "Cainan 1i-so": The scutes (flankg) are nuch smalLer than lhose of the Caimalr clocod.ilus t they ale palticularl,y nunelous and clearly snoother (i. e. uDkeeled) , Because of lheir softness, coloratlon and snal1 scales the raw hi.de dealers in Colonbia had great lnterest 1n preservlng these sklnE. Accorditlg to lIedem, the anieals reached a total lenglh of noC mole !ha!t a-9 tE 12.4-2.7 n). Souetimes they rere gighted in the lguer stretches of the rrRio Frio", a rl,ver risiltg ln the Sj-erra Nevada de Santa Malta and enptying j-nto a smal1 lake east of Clenaga Grande. It seeDs that these caLnans came flom the upper part of tbe Rio Frio, According go !4eden, already by tbe end of the ni eteen thirtl.es and in the early torties the "cainan 1iso" r{as consideled as very rare or ealinctg?is range. Hide-hunting aclivitl,es i{ere conqentlateal in the Clenaga Grande and surroultding region, essentially in the area where the ',Caimatt Iiso" llas to have occurred. 108 Thus, the question still remains: Do the cainan sklns r.rhl.ch shov such a considerable deviatloD for some chalacteristics leall-y represent a still unknown species which, it seems, be- c.!me rare fifty years ago, or is it nothing but a locaLLy restricted nutation occurlng in individual atinals? The ploblem can onl,y be solved by research activlties j,n the anl- maLsr natulal ranqe, although it 19 Ukely,that lheEe alima1s were extertninated. Acknonledqements: The authors vrish to thank Willian W. LaDar, The Uni.vErsLty of texas at Tyle!, fo! his help- ful cannents on the nattuscript. References: Brazaitis, P. (1989): The forensic identification of crocodilian hides and products. IUCN Publication Nev, Serles. Crocadlles3 Their Ecology, ManageDent and Canservatj-or.:.'lj-43 i c1and. 8uchs, (.-H. (1974)r Die Krokod.ilhaut. Darrnstadt, Ed.uartl Roether. King, F. w. (1989): Sporta can nean extra tnoney, Nessletter Xucti-Crocodlle Speciatl€t croup. '18 Vol. 8: - 21r Galnesv1l1e. Klng, F.W. & p. Brazaitis (1971): Spectes ldentlflcatlon of conmelc1al clocodillatr skins. Zoologlca 55 (2): ,15 - 75r Ne\r yo!k. l,leden, F. (1981): Los crocoilylia de Su! Amerj.ca. VoL. 1. Bogota, Colcienclas. Iiernuth, H. & K.-H. Fuchs (1978)| BEstim!rurenvon Krokod.LLen und ihrer Eaute. Sluttgart/New york, G. Fl,scher. 109 6; 9r ;l ,l al!l :l ;l o .i e, ot-o >! o3 5l !o :Fo ht r,D i i!6r F 3lE o o- o t 6l o+ i{q 016ooEdr il olo i d ( o{ rl r'r qo t il ql a.tq, c .c o ?l ;t .l ll q 6l=l -t al zl =l -l :l gl &i :l -l t?l ..,,91 it vtl !l 4l ,! q | ,:l EI .at6 ..lc oqr t0o ril xll. E o r! d o.o =l ('l! r di c E t :to z oG! o d !l 1t niJAr'l =l or!oor.rD ,.rdca (!|!q)or! a1 {},.rcJogoio :l r.rr!€ti! q)9'.lOtlo:a > c qr> oor.oiitr!q 'I E r r g {r i i dr c (, c ,lts r..io!.oarrl rr o >rl J o o I ;l 110 Growtb Curves Fo! The Nil€ Crocodile Ac Estimrted By Skeletochrorology I. GrEes IleplrtDent of Blological ScieEce Urlvcrsity of Zimbsbwe P.B.g M.P. l6? HANARE Zirb.bw. AASTRACT Growth curv€s vere cor$tructcd for the Nile crocodile from the Middle Zafrbezi tiver using two different skeletochlonologicalrnethods. Th€ first method assignedages to individual crocodilesusing the dorsal osteodermsof liviDg aoimals,before firling a modified Votr Be.talanffy growth curve. The secondmethod us€d a calculatedannual incrementfrom femursto derivean estimaleof the rateof increaseto fit the curve.The curvesweresimilar and it is suSgestedtha! they could be usefulin management.It should, however,be noted that skeletoch.osology is builton precariousfoundalions and the resulrs must bc regarded with cautiod. INTRODUCTION It is imDo.tant to determinethe relationshipbetweeo age and body size in the Nile crocodile,as body siz€i! directly relatedto serualmaturity, fecundity (ill females)and survivorship(Cott, 196l; Grahsm, l96E;Hutron, 1964).The rale ol growth is a measure of how effici.ltly the crocodileis utilizinSits environrneotand will be directly affecled by food availrbility, food quality,food intaketscaroo and ser of the animal.This rarewill slow.fter sexualmaturity (Graiad, 1966;wcbb, Messel,Crawford and Yerbury, 1978; Hutton, 1984).Orowth appcarsto b€ind€tcrminate (Chabreck and Joanen, 1979; Graham, l96E; Neill, l97l) ad this may be becsuscwild crocodilesdie befo.e reachingtheir asymptoticlength (Brisbin, 1988). SkeletochrotrolSyor the ageingofanidals frorn annualgrowth laminae in theskeletonand hard partshas been used for fish maDytihes (Be.mishand McFart.ie, 1983)but hasonly recentlybeen applied to crocodilians(Ferguson, l9E4; Hutton, 196?a,b).ln this studytwo independetrtskeletochroaDlosical melhods wero used to coNtruct growth curv6 for the Nile crocodilc froo thc Middle Zambezi River ia Mozambiqueand Zimbabwe. The tirst dethod a$igncd agls to irdividual crocodilesvhile the secold osedannual increments!o derivean €stirnareof the late of increrse. STUDY AREA The Middle Zambeziriver strclchesfrom the Vicloria Falls to the CahoraBsssa dam (Fi8u!e l). CliDatically the areai5 sub-arid to arid (Phillips, 1959)and there ale three distinctseaions (hot wet, cooland hot dry). Meanair tempelaturesate al$,aysabove 20oC vith a peakirt October/Noverrber (mean maximum 33 - 3toc, absolutetuaximum 4loC). Th€y decreale8radually to a low in June/July(mern minimum 26oC,absolute minimum 2.8t; Coche,t9?4). Surfacewater temperaturesvary from a low ot 22oCto a high of 30oC.There is a single.ainy seasonwhich b€8insio Octoberwith sporadicslorms. These increa3cthrough Noveober and approximately90q6 of the precipiEtionoccu.s between 111 Decembcrand February(Figure 2). Rainfall often occursas localizedheavy showers associatedwith thunderstormsand the annualaverage is 600 mm (ran8e350 mm - l0l5 mm). Daily hoursof sunshinevary from a mid rainy seasonlow of 6.4 h ro a coolseason high of l0.l h (20 year mean from Departmentof MeteorologicalServices records, Harare). The .iver ha.3been dammed.at two sitesand lhe subs€quentlakes of Kariba (5 500 kmz) atrdCahora Bassa (2 665 km') now supgort5ubstantial crocodile popularions. METHODS Material(either I dorsalosteoderm section or a femur) wascollected from LakesKariba andCahora Ba3sa, The methodof datacollection aDd its subsequentanalysis was different io eacharea. The growthcurve for femalecrocodiles from LakeCahora Bassa was d€rived from the samcmaterial by Craig,Gibson and Huno$ (1989)and their merhodwas apglied to a sampleof malefemu$. Lrle K.rib. Whercverpossible, for all capturedcrocodilgs > 1.2 m total length(TL), an osteoderm sectionwns rcmoved frcm the neck,following tho methodof Hutton (19E6).Briefly, the areawas injccted with a localaraesthctic (Lignocai[e hydrochloride) prior to anosteoderm sectionG 5 mm thick) being.emoved wi$ a fine-toothedamputation saw. The resultiog wouDdswcrc packed with antibioticpowder and infection wai nevcrrecorded, even wh€n Somccrocodiles weae penncd for severalweeks before release.Woudds were almost unnoticedblaa year later.Twenty one osteodermsectioDs we.e collectedand storedin 95 % alcohol.In addition, femurswere collected and suo-d.ied from shot samDleof 24 sub-adultcrocodil6 (1.2 - 2.5 m TL). For analysisa thitr sliver was removed*ith a hacksaw.from the osteodermo. c€nrrar diaphysisof the femur, and grouardby hand on silicon carbidepager to approximately 100,,.This was viewed uuder a disseclionmicroscope io transmittedlight and minor adjristEenBmade to the thickoessuntil theannuli wer; clearlyvisible. Five-variables were recordedfror! aheosteoderms (Figure 3) andthe age estimated with thefollowing formula: AGE - ((TDl2) - LD ) / MS ) + yL where; TD - Tot l depth of ihc osteodelm LD - Depth of the visiblc l.flrinae MS = Meanseparation of the threeinnermost laminae YL - Nudber of visible laminae Countingonly the visible laminaewill give an undcrestimatcof age becaBe the inner lamidao disappearwith .ge (Buffrelil, l9t2). The above forldula estirnatesag€ by calcultingthe aumberof nissing laminaeand addingthem to the visibleones. It wasassumed thai lamioaeresorption;n tha sub-adultfemu.a had not begu! (Hutton, 1984) and aonuli counted direclly from the sectionswere used as uncorrectedage esarmales. ttz The estimatedaSes were testedwith a nonlin€arregr$sion againsttotal lenSth,using a derivarivcof the Von Bertalanffy(193E) Srowrh curve defined by Craig,el4l. (19t9).The equatronwas y - (K + at)(l - bert) (l) where: K ' The interceptfor thc po5itivcasymptote a : slope b - Iotercept r = Expodedt for rate of increase a - Age in yeats This give. the asyoplotea positiveslope, rather than conventionalhorizontal line. lnitial par|metervalues were chosen arbitrarily and lhe final valuesv,€re calculated by iteration on a computor.The orly klown pararneterin the equationwas age (t). L.le CahoraBassr A femuawa! reoovcd, cleancd,attd sun-driedfrom 230crocodiles, u/hich were shot as pan of a croppiag erercisoiD accordaDcewith CITESregulationr (Ret. Conl.5.25).ln thc laboratory sectionswcrc cut frorD the central diaphFis of 55 of theseand prcpared itl the samemanaer as the Kariba sarnple.It proved to be impossibleto assignan age to the femursowiDg to the obliteratio[ of thc inner alnuli by resorptionaDd reworking of the ceot.r of thc bolc (Griffiths, 1962).Therefore a differcnt techniqueto that usedfor the Kariba saDple, d€veloped by CraiS (C.ai8 e, ar., 1989),wai adopted fo. the analysis.For eachfemur the outsidediameter and the diametersof two successiveannuli were recorded (Figure 4) using . graticuledeyepiece in a dissectionmicroscope. Tolal len8th wrs reSress€dagainst femur diamele. to establishiheoretical total lenSthsfor the annuli diadclers (Y). The calculatedlength increment trom the innermostrecorded annulus to the next successiveantrulus (l\Y) w4splotted against Y. If Y is Sivenby equation(l) then AY, for ao iocremeatof one ycar, can be calculat€dby AY - (K + at - Y)(l - e') + a(l - bc't cr) (2) wherc: K - The interc€ptfor the positiveasymptote Y - Calculatcd total lenSrh a - Slope b - IDterccpt r - Expo[ert foa mte of increase t - Ti!|e A t.ial valuewa! thed chosenfor r and for eachY io the dataset equation (l) wassolved ilerativcl/ !o find t, This valuefor t wasthen subsritutedinro equatiotr(2) to find AY. Y andAg wcresolved for all value.of Y and the residualsexpressed as{(ii' - a?1'z.fni. processwas repeated usiDS differeDt values of r until oneshowed r$iduals achievin8their minimumvalue. The curvewas then fitted usinSMarquardt's least squares method (1963), consrainedthrough a h.tchiog sizeof 0.31 m TL. 1I} RESULTS The relationshipbetween femur diameterand total len8thfor malecroccdiles from Lake CahoraBassa nas linear(Y=13.26 X + 5.96;r=0.96; p<0.001; Figure 5). A plorof calculaled Iotal length (Y) againstthe annualincrement (AY) givesa wide scatterbut suggests decreasedgrowth with increasedage (FiSure 6). The computedgrowth curvesfo. malesand femalesin both Lake Kariba (Figure 7) and Lake CahoraBassa (Figure E) areremarkably similar. This wasexpected, given that both populationsare subjecttoalmost idendcal climalic conditions. Males appear to grow faster thar femalesand this hasbeer establishedfor other Nile qrocodilepopulations (Graham, l96Ei Hutton, l9t4). They alsoappear to have'nore variablegrowth tha! the females. Predicrionsof total leDgthat a hypotherical100 years of ageare 5 m TL for malesand 3.6 m TL for females. DISCUSSION A8eiD8aoimals using skeletochrorolgy is a controversiallechnique and doubts will be expressedas to the validity of the .esulta,A numberof assumptionsneed to be made beforc thesecurves catr be acceptedas real,the moslimportant of which is thal laminag are depositedanoually. Therc may be a numberof other factors which corrld inhibit feediDgand hence groe.th,such asa fluctuating food supplyor behaviourdurin8 breeding. Thescmay or may not be on an aooual basis.ln ternperateclimates the laminaewe.e corEideredto be in responseto s€asonsbut this maybe obscured id the tropicswhich often havc ill-defined and short cool periods(approximately two monrhsin lhe sudy area). Growth rates are also notoriouslyvariable even within discretepopulations (Hu[on, lgE?b)and this could lead to incorrectage estimation and erroneousgrowth curves. It wasnot po$ible, after the first lew yearsof life, to assignages to osteodermssoley by coudtingthe laminae.This wasbecluse laminae are remov€d and brokenup by reso.ption and accretion(Buffrenii, l9E2). It was necessaryto estimatethe number of missinS laminaeand this could leld to addittionalerrors in ageeslimation. A fuatherprobleo, especiallyfor longlived animalssuch as crocodiliats, is validationof thc techniquc.Ia the caseof ihe Nile crocodilethere is only one knowd agefree living speciman.Thir aoimalhad an a8eestirnation error of 1596 at 46 yeaF (Hutton, l987a,b). Clearlyduch moredata are needed before thc techniquecan stand ug to seriouscritisism. However,if we ztcceptthe limitationsof the mcthodand assumethat the laminaelre depositedon ad aonualbasis, then it is possibleto discusssorde of the implicationsof the present8rcwth curves. The ageat which a crocodileis epable of breediogis an importrnt pammete.which qan bused to enhancethe exploitationof a wild population(Craig, et al. 1989).Current kDowledgcsuggests that a femaleNile crocodilebecomes serually mature belween 2,4 and 2,6 m TL (Cott, l96l; Hutton, l9E4;Games, zohlo andChande, 1989). The growthcurves iardicatethat femalesmature between 12 and 20 yearsof agein the study area. Whertthe femaleIrowth c,rrvesfor the study areaand Lake Ngezi(Hutton, 1987a)are comparedthere is one strikinS difference (Figure 9). FeDalesfrom Lake NSezitake between25 aod 35 yearsto attain serual maturity.They will, however,.each a sirnila. ma,rimumsize. Lake Ngezi is closeto Harareon lhe cool centralplateau of Zimbabwe and air and watcr t€mperaturesa.e subslaniiallylowe. than lhe Middle Zambezivall€y (summermaxidrum temperatures are seldom over 30oC).It is hypolhesizedtha! lhe lower tempenturescontribute to their slowerSrowth rate (Hulton, l9E?a). The similarity of the indepeodenllyderived curves is remarkableand it is possiblerhat they approximatethe growth of wild crocodilesin the study area.It could be trgued, in the caseof the 'sofr" CahoraBassa sample, thal this is a resultof mathemaric.lmaoiouEdon of data. The choiceof rhe asymptoliclength through which the calculaiedannual Incrementshave beer constrainedis one tnajo. weaknessin the methodand is largely subjective. 'lraditional' The Von Berlalanffycuryeasymptotes to a horizontallioe. However. ifcurves are fitt€d to the LakeKariba databy eygit appearsthat there is a continuedslow increase in length.Ihroushoutlife. This *as alsotrue for darafrom Lake Ngezi(Hu(on, l9E4).tn vielt/of this anddata and opinions of olher authors(Chabreck ard Joanett,1979; Graham, 1968:Neill, l97l) it was felt rhar the useof a modified form of the ion Blrtalanffv equationwas justified (Craiget al-)- In thk studyit wa3much mo.e difficult to countlaminae in the femur sectionsthan rn lne osteodermsections. This wascontrary to whatwas expected and it is unfortunaterha! borh sectiot|lwerc not collectedfrom the shotsample. Finally it shouid be mentionedthat there is at least one documentedcase of ooor manaS€meotof fish lropulationsbecause of oon-validltion of the ageing technique (Beamishand McFarlane,t9E3). This should .emind wildlife manager-stttreat these growth curveswith caulioduntil betterdata is available. ACXNOWLEDCEMENTS Thia work was undertakenas part ot a higherdegrees programme at the Universiryof Zimbabweand wasfurded by SAREC(Swedish ASency foaResearch Co-operarion wirh DevelopingCouotries). I am alsograteful for their financialsupport which enabledme ro attend rhis meering.The BiologicalScience D€partment and University Lake Ka.iba ResearchStatioo of the UniversityofZimbabwe providedboa6 andother equipment and thi5 help ir gratefully ackrowledged. Maoy rhanksto ColinCraigandDebbie Gibson for hetpwirh the mathematicqRupert arld Malcol.h Vao Der Riet fo. assistancein collectiogand getting the bonesback !o tne laboraroryand to Jon Hutton for h;s organizarionalcapabilities. REFERENCES Beamish,R.J. and G.A. McFarlane,19E3. The forgo(en requiredentfor agevalidalion in fisheries biology, Traisactions ol the Ameican FisheriesSociety 112(6\:135-143 Brisbin,l.L. l9EE.Growth curve analyses and their applicirioq ro lhe conservationand c3ptivemanagement of crocodilians,Paper presentcd a! !h.9En tforktng lvleetingol rhc IUCN/SSC Oocodile Specialistcroup, Lae, PapuaNew Cuinea. Buffrenil, V., dc. 19E2.Morphogenesis of bone ornamentationin extant and exrtncr crocodilians. Zoomorpholog f grt 55- t66 Ciabrecl, R.ll end T. Joanen,l9?9. Croyth ratesof Americanalligators in Louisiana. H eI pckrl oe ica 3S(l ri' l - 57 Coche,A.G. 1974.Limnological study of a tropicalreservoir. pp. l-246 in Lake Kariba: A man-madetropical ecosystem in CentralAfrica. (Editon E.K. Balona.ld A.G. Coche.) MonogrcphBiology 24. The Hague:Dr. w. Juok. Cott, H.B. 1961.Scientific results of an enquiry into the ecologyand economicstatus of the Nile crocodile(Croaodylus niloticus) i^Vganda and NorthernRhodefia. Trcnsactions ol the ZoologicalSociety ol London29:21I -356. Crai8,G.C., D. St.C. Gibson,and J.M. Hutton,19E9.A modelol thectucodile population ol Zimbabwe iachrding tecomitendotions on harvesting. CmE.s Nile Crocodile Project Report to Departmentof NationalPark and Wildlife ManaSement,Zimbabwe. Fergusoa, M.W.J. 19E4. Crainiotacial development in Alligalor mistissippie sis. Symposiun ol thr Zoological Society ol London 52.223-273 Games,I., R. Zolho, and B. Chande,19E9.Utilizario ol lhe oocodile rctourceon Lake Cahoft Bdsta, Mozombique,dwing 1987 and 1988.Repon to the co-ordin.tor, CITES Nile crocodileproject. Graham,A. 1968.The Lake Rudolphcrocodile (Crocodylus niloticus) poptlariot. Report to lhc Kenya GameDepartment. Nai.obi, Kenya. 145 pp. Griffiths, I. 1962.Skeletal lamellae as an indexof a8ein heterothermoustetrapods. ,rlrrralr and magazine ol Natural Histor! (Londo ) 4:449-465 Hutton, J.M. 19E4.Population ecology ol theNile crccodileCrocodylus niloticus Lalrenri, 1768,at Ngezi, Zimbabwe.Vnpttblished D.Phil Thesis, Univenity of Zimbabwe. Huttol, J.M. 1986. Age determinationof living Nile crocodilesfrom the cortical stratificationof bone.Co peia 1986(2r:332-341, Hutton,J.M. l9t7a. Growthand feedinS ecology ofthe NilecrocodileCrocodylus niloticus at N8ezi, Zimbabwe.Jotnal ol Animal Ecology56t25-3E. Hutton, J.M. 198?b.Techniques fo. ageinSwild crocodilians.9p.2ll-216 in wildlile Maiagement: Crocodiles and Alligarors. Eds. G.J.W. Webb, S.C, Manolis and P.J. Whitchead.Surrey Beatty and Sons,Australia. Marquardt, D. 1963. An elgorilhm for the least squaresestimation of non linear paJ€,'''ete'5.lout ol ol the Society of htdustrial and Applied Mathemalics.ll (2\. Neilf, W.T. 1911. The last ol the ruling rcptilet: Alligators, Crocodiles oid their Kin. ColumbiaU[iversity Pr€ss,New York and London. Phillips, J.F.V. 1959.Agricultwe ard ecology in Africa: A study ol actual atd potentidl dewlopment south ol the Sdiara. Faber. London. Von Bertalanffy,L. 1938.A quantitativetheory of otganicgrowth (inqui.ieson Srowth t^ws ll\, HumanBiology f0(2):lEl-213 webb, G.J.W., H. Messel,J. Crawford, and M.J, Yerbury. 197E.Growth rates of Crocodyluspo.os!$ (Replili.: Crocodilia) from Arnhem Land, Northern Australia. Ausual ian lv i ld li fe Research5.3t5-399 116 = lts-*- E E------e z. O E +o_ r -t-o- z = G _o': & d. = = oa o- &r-o- < c( : -t^ z< F ttttl I Orl.1OraO!/'rO .Jrnf. Lll ut E i ,-' 3e 9?=5 ) - ,l1 Es'Ee _. !,\v _ _ ::v€ l,_ ? iFgE -\-j-r =)' €E3 --t' : ! !"' 5; e.3 a. iJ ;6r.. -l ,:61 E.OE: 'i ( - N eJ: I a =ts j FBei r_ .:E=gEi !:E F-.., -l -l !g =l ?3 '- gEgEE ? ii(J ..: (,' NJ ora 3[ ; 4? fo \z tt) ( .-.1 ) ,.f ; i ),\ \(D 177 q).? '_r/1 a) L-/ t ) /'-\ - I =.\l\-,--'r \-C Figur. 3. Measurementitaken from ostaodermsectioN to estimateare. TD - Total osteodermdepiE LD - Depthof visible tamina;; VL - Numbgr of visible ldminae:MS - Three innerrnost laminaeaverrged for the meanseparatioo. OR IR Figurc {. M€aiu.ementstaken from f€mur sectionsto estimateage, FD - Femurdiameter along the longestaxis; (JK = utameretot a tamln!: IR - Dilmetcr of tbe nexi inner lamin!, 118 5000 Y=13. e6x15 . S6 .-0.96. p<0.0O! E E 4000 c 3000 2000 i000 0 100 200 3OO Femur di amete. (!tm) Figlra 5. The relationshipbeteeen femur diameterand total lengthfor a sampleof male femursfrom Lake CahoraBassa. 300 Y--0.5 (-4. {+X) E e50 200 150 100 0 1000 eooo 3ooo aooo 5000 Calcul6ted total tengLh [nm, Figure6. The relationshipbetween calculated total lenglh (from the innerlamina) and the calculatcdinnual incremenr(see text), 5000 E 4000 o 3000 2(]00 o 1000 o eo 40 6c) Bo 1OO Age lyea.sl Figur€ 7. Cr-ow1iof nate (O)-ardfemale (a) crocodilesfrom Lake Kariba determinedby skefetoch ronotogy. M.tcs; K - 2.9,.A - 0.021:B . 0.634;R = _0.293. Fe'ntles:K - 2.7:A - 0.007; I - 0j Ia: R = -0,226. 5000 € E .tooo c 'l 3000 c c.) 2000 l- 1000 40 60 100 Age (yeans) Figrft 8. Gro*th of maleand femalecrocodil* from Lake CahomBassa determincd by skeletochronology.Males,, K - 4-4: A - 0-002;B = 0.9: R = -0.052. Fed.fes:r( - J.2,.,{' 0.001;B - 0.9;R. -0-1. 5000 5 4000 E o 3000 (, 2000 F 1000 40 ao ioo Age (yeans) Figure9. Comparisonof femaleNile crocodilegrowth curyes,determined by skeletochronology,from LakesKariba (A), CahoraBassa (B) and Ngezi(C). Dotted linesindicate thc a8eat 2.6 m total length(the si?4at which rnostwild Nile crocodile!are thoughrto be capableof breeding). NgczifeDsf.q tr- J.2; A - 0.001:B - 0,E76:R - -0.51. L2L THE STATUS OF CROCODILE POPULATIONS tN FAFUA NEl,t BUINEA I 19Bl - 19Be JOHN-I'ARK G GENOLAEANI AND JOHN HARK I.JILI,IOT NATIONAL CROCODILE PROJECT DEPARTT'IENT DF ENVIRONHENT AND CONSERVATION P O BOX 66.)1 EOROKO NATIONAL CAPITAL DISTRICT PAPUA NEW GUINEA Paper prEpared +6r the Ninth llorkinq Meeting o+ the Erocodiln Sp.eiali.st Eiroup o+ IIJCN/SSD convened at Lae. Papua New 6uinea! 19 - 21 October 198e. THE STATUS OF CROCODILE POPULATIONS IN FAPUA NEW GUINEA t9a1 - l9EB TNTRODUCTION This oaoer is a reoort on the aurFent Etelus ot the two €roeodi.le specias thal ocELrr in Fapua t{ew 6uinea iFlrG), These erE the Croaidylur e(tro5u3, the so called aallweter or the egtuari.ne species! anC C. n()vaeguinea€, comncJnlv known e3 the New 6Lrines {reshwqte. 6pecjPs. The primtsry objactive i5 to present an up detE t-o data on the stel'-r€ o+ eri 1d crd6odile popLtlstione. The €ommFrEiaI sien!fic.rncE Df thege sPeEie€ rPEult= prj.marilv +rom the lr3de D+ their €L:in5. which haE bten goine on for the Iast 3ix decedeE tHollands 1986a). t4.ithj.n the +ive year period prior to l9'J7 annLlsl export earnings t.on .-.4codi-lE skins were in tht order of $US?.6 Inillion. This was a'.trreded i.n I9B7 alone vrith sn inerease to 5US;.:5 niIIion. A9 a develDpinq Eountry. foreiqn earnine6 aE 3Lrch are Eiqni+icant {Dr PN6. The reEol!rcE. however, raqt-lires attentiEn to eongervetion 4nd manaqement strgteqj.ag in r-hat. with parti.€Lr1rr re+eranca to a. pr)rr":r,l:r it- ha€ b.ren =rrhi-.+F.i td rlpolefidn r+'-n i€.1inF< in rnanv areRs ot itE distribution wnrld-wide' gince EFD.odiles are IiEted ts endai6ertd speci,EEr b'.rt bej.nc cEnnerciallv vsluable t-he nature o+ thei.r lrsde in Er!4odrl? prod{.t-s nLrst tran+orm to L'ITEE (Convenli-on 5n IntPrnali.onql TrsdF in Endrnqered Species o+ Wi1d F3unB 3nd Flor i requj.remente. fhe primarv goal o+ req4l3tion btino to ans,-tra sLlEt-rinable viald harveEts 6n E lonq t-arm brEis (HoIlands lt8!a. 1984a. 1q85. 19864). 5ol-h o+ speaie€ dre listad Dn Appendi). II o+ CITEg' trlhil.st the tbove stetement5 e'noha6i:e thu ,:oomerEi-..1 siqni+ican.e of lhe aroEodile reEourEP !n tErm= o+ i!€ velLrr to the nstionsl budqet. the worth o+ the ErtrcDdilPs to lhe rLrral Deoole of the major wetltno arEes is .nore Ej.,tni+irent. CroEodi-ls produEtE c.mpri.€e' J:he maiaF. if not the on]\,. intone base o+ r'he 6wamp PeoplE' Thr= r5 bacauEe davelopment o+ 3ori4lllt'-!ra1 Eash ar.p6 l'rould be very e,(pen€ive where, rgference iE m'tdE.parr-i:ul3rIv (]i ttle Sepih. Fly and lhe 6Lr1+ basins {Fiqltre 1)" TB The development o{ the €rocodile rEEoLrrEe thro,rch v.rrre,_rj iarn€ o+ exploit:rtiorl haE been repcrrjed e.tee,rfre.e rnu will not be reviewed here iFe{er Uollrnct= :lpg:a. tc$+a, 1945. l9B6ai CDx 19ts4), To achieve the DDsl ,ri ,,qonr:rnDL.: L(6e" o+ the rEsotlf_cs (./itholtr: CeFlEtion D+ the croco':til-q populatj.onE, the qovernment 3nd indu6lrv hrve endetytrL!red to improve nranaoement Etr3teqrEs thrDLtoh Ef+itrient hervestinq and nonitorin4 o1 wild popl{tations Etnca t$e late 196rls €nd 197i:'s. t{ith the 3sEi6+-,irlce of the L]NDF.iFA{J oreliminary nonitorinq q,o.l,.:beoan rn the early 199{:rE. ihe Bovernment's nonitorinq ec6Io€iBt. l,tart!n HcIlandE developed the Eurrent monilorino pro!r3mme and thiE h+E been in operation gin.e 198I. I A number o+ wor|l:s he','e dstiil.ed thr Fitj"onale 3nd implementation o+ viriouE progrimoeE bDlh in the dFvelDpment o+ ihe Erac5dile indll6try and !n 5cientif,ir rasaarEh. The rFpDrt-E i.nElude thoEe bv DDr.rneE ( 196X, l97..tt l97la-b! 1?74. 1978). Lever r I975r !'PaA) | r,i'rd+m l1i7b, I Folton | 1977 | 1979. 1981; . l-ev?r rnd tsElBon ( 1978J, F.wapen5 and 8,:lton 11981) . Er:rham t 194{1" 1-al , . grahart and Ro€e {1981). FoIton rnd L3ufr 119gIr. Hollandi 1198:a-bt I9B4a-b" 1;55. l;B6a-E\, HoLlindg :1nd bc,-rd!F ( 1994), lmport-ant trDntriblltibns Dn flon.iiDrlnE iri4 acoloqical l"eseat-ah.on arocodile pop,.|if,tj.4n= inEl'ldp tl+e work€ by Fernell3 rnd B4rain t 19791. d'-L.qin i 1?Bi:!r_ b"l9A1" I9S?). Ha:ll i1?BQ. 1't81. liAi-r-b:, Gr3ham 3fld Hhitaker (198{ll. HDll.rods t1982,r-b. 1':F4..-b! lqB5, l?Eir- b). Cox 11984) rnd Eojl et al, i li87 l , I I AnalyE!E of monitdr-ing drt3 Dn proL,!3tron !rend= 5!ncq 1981./l?B? was initiilly e./t1{ated in l9C: ,Holl3n,lit l9E2r 1984i), An early er This paper'44E Frepar-ed +or the l.lj.n!h lilDrl:inq I'leEt!n'r c+ thE Erocodile 9pe=irlrst Ero'rp (ESG) hel'l -i'- L-.E. F'pr'i' Neh, - Buinea +rorD 19 - !1 0cF-ober ItaA ind preeents tn L,p_ date o+ the 1986 report. Thp paper in lhe r:rEr- r4strn:r' o'rtlinec gxplDl.titibn a{ the crocDdile re=Dlrr.i, populiliDn trandg rnd envisiged mtrnj.r-Errng :.Lr!!tieq' Other ddL,i o+ rele'/rncE Dn lrrde f,nd Errnserv3l].dn n€asl]res are also Ednsidered. tt 1. EXPLOITATION crrao,lylus p(,ro5r-r:: rnd a. n 0 y 3e,.t 4 r rrl? l.? oE€Lrpy mosl 4{ !h; lowlande o{ the main Fi\l|j lindmess, whilet: a. pr,,r.,r:-!i r=l believed to be the ontv speE:e- :n +_heD++=hore 1=1iflCg lLlhitaker 1979. Hollands l9B=), A: F.iqlrre I eho,|€ Enerel i5 a very |ai.de diElriblrti.on o+ the 5pecri.eE, partiELrIart.,.i on the naj.n landmr€E. lt EhoLLld be nEtad tho|-rgh !h:1t a. Dov;rc94rn4ae's distribution to!{erds lhe aDastil maroine is af{ected b}, the preEence o+ s,rtlne .ondrtronEt whicfrl it ctnnot tDlar,ite. ItE distribulion wauld not ixteno :t: the iftmadi-rte Eoa=tlines bLlt flLrrtuale r..cordino La thel in{lLr:< o+ 6ea weterg -rnd l_ida1 movements slano thei aoast5. To appreciste ejrp!oitati.on a+ iihe Epecies it .=l wDrthwhile t5 nole Eame €enaril fpet,Ltres o{ the Epeciesl in rEference to Fnl6 s naL|.tr3l en/ironmentg tsnd commercirll trade. C. pl]rosus i€ the larqer o{ tha two Epecies f,ndl inhdbits E nuch wider rrnoe. Il ocEr-(oies esLu-rries and, the rnore open-waler enYironE of swarnps and laqoan5, Thel EpeEj.es prodL!€es l--he best ;hins in crDcodii.ien leather snd productE +or the inlernrtionll mRrl-ret. r_, ni:|vPrqriFeie iE l:he EndEfiitr =q-a:iI lEd iFpshwate. €peqie€ ta th- i=I3nd et hlew G'Jine ,. .1nd -chDwE ltr.r: JiEtrnEt ooD'.rlrtiDflE, !ne rEE'rr= rn tl-.3 nrJrlne._n porr !rtr.l o+ the co|lntry. primrrj.l! the Sapi!: beErn. t!_rs ether inl the south-western porLion, p.rmaril, lne F1 . b..Ein. ihei distrib|-ttion o+ i. nrrr,ielurreae o\'-arltp= Mr:h i, ci.',-'.':.,ri", el1cept the immediatp ,:osEtaI 3r'etE. I As 6hown in Fiqure 1 lhera ir 3 ver'\, lr.ae :ree a.l =uitabli hibitrlE +Dr the EreEodiIt€, lhe nain ;rret= tr distribt,tron are the sepil . We=LE.n --..aj i l. b-i;rnE whilst sddili.onal EDrcentr3Lion6 oc.ur in lhe Lpntrii trnd Northern FrovincEE rs well ae the main i.:lrnds" AcEordiin,: tr, Hollands {1986) i.E {aE regorled ihet lfEod DoE,,rlatiEnE of tro€od.iIes abolrnd +or hunting o{ wild El ins ind. development d+ r:lnchin! rct.i?ilias. lhe prEsenl: :itutstii]n i9 very oL|ch l:he Eame, !l,hi1st exploititirn D.] the trroEodiiE rei,tr,.lrEe := valuable. the problems i+ rv,rileble €tocl":E ie 3!:trj-blrted to the historical. trend o+ h:!r\,'eglino, Lasical i\'. traditional exploit3tj.Dn has alL.rar,s been {er +oDC. The inlroduction o+ coomerriel trede oi El 1n3 rnd thq hLlntfn,r method-€ lhat tcrDmpenied res|lli-ed in mirr) iFp?e beina hunted ':ut whilst at the sa,ne tine Lhe mern si:e o+ the aninel-€ harvested was redt.|Eed tD verv Ernill =.i:es. ThiE iE shD$,n in Flqure :. whcra there waE !n !,rpsl.rroe :n: PlcoRS1r Dtstllbutlo! ol crocodllos h PrDua Net GuiDer { lloUands, l9g4b ) FIGURE 2! Total sklns exported frorn pNG bet$€en 19,15 - 1972 of both C_. pofosus povaeguineae _and C. {Based on aata In rro t-l-in?Ei-ITg S) o €t d o t no '.4 a 60 ok O. x d, o 40 rH 20 o! z 45 47 49 53 55 59 Year tn harve€tE acEording te the trade d.it.a ,f,nC evEnt'-!Btl! EDII-rpse j"n expo|.L 4f -il.:rn-q" I he m,rrfl ar6triem= aer e declines in poplrlationE. 3nd lhe breeCinE sLoEk which Na€ ;hown by verV sma-tI =!:9,1 =r'rr.s EonprrsrFE l-he *.:pertE. These probletns havE been addre€sed bv n-rtranf,l bene en trsde o+ Ekj"ns with EomrnerEi3l belly-wldthE di o.,er i,iJ inches (51{:) no) which r'Jrs en+orEed !n 1975 ind Ei:es ie=€ than 7 lnches ( lgo ,nni in 1981. rhe ol-hBr nraior develop.nent hiE been . q.aCl.raI €hi{l +ram hirveEt d{ rrild s[:ins to r+nch.!no 3ct-i!,,i 1:i-es /Holland5 leEi. l9EAa). fhe succeggful deveiopmenl 5f ranching t,f-dai-. iE BhDNn rn Iable 1. TABLE 1i Liva purchase by lnajor ranches and tar a in PNGi ,:, n'?rae,Jutne:e TqTAL 1979 974 +9:l? 19BO 7561 2141 Egln 19EJ I 1,:rfP5 B6':J: lt,ln1 198f, ?518 1901 4419 f,f,29 14b9 1985 5iir l rl' .+{-,!5 lr_1!l:5 1946 &_411 14e41 ::7C,1 L:li: ThF drdn d+ lhE !eB;.1e|]4 oeriod weE d're lo Itr!^rm-r!-!:et priEes. which 'hetnt !:hat j"t $i5 nol '.i!b1e l5r {trns i-La Eontinlla DLlrchtse o.t live inimalE. rnd 'lel e .lBEli.oe ,fj r'rild Etecl.,E. Apar! +rEm !hi€ li/e plrrEhr=E :nErei6ed rr?ml 197?-1987 r{ith the hioh€Et inErea€es trn 1q9.1 :nd 199;. AtthduEh 3 EmeIl nlrdtber e+ c!'ocodile€ -1f_e llred En rh:l +!rn6. they 3re ejrpe.tad tD be insLrJr!c!en1: t,r E'-l!p1",' |hei d,nnend JDr i 1on6 Lerm biEi5, i Exptrimental eg€ harveEts o+ t. c,',.',,Jri.i h3\,e be?ni condLrcied in lhe alnbl.lnli Llist-ri-,:i. E3st !epil.: FrDYinc,=.J Ei.nce 19EF ex€ept +or 1947, In addilitrn !:: th-- llEe of the poqa to ogLain bicIoq.iErI d413 sL16h 35 h.r!EhE|bilit.' rnd mortalily. the exerarEe !.{Fs conEeived +-o rrr. r- l-rroe s4-rl? human predatj.Dn, Hollind5 l1?a6A) r'epDrte'l :i 'lr"smitic dEcrease D+ the iEiiviLr ,rom f,O-f,gz ti cnI! f,:':. th,! impach o+ the EEo hir'.El: i= ,:.nlroI iEd rievEr_nmtn+- rF!€nt-ie+cl liw r cFIEF+r-n nr6racc in F.ri- nn :rrbrsrlE,i l.r +lrr.lc rnd arE., rr-EEc lA hrr,hrn h:r".€:rt r. ! tal:en. The overall res!.rlt oJ t-he rEtivi+-) hts bee.' P cofltinued marked decrer5e i.n humJ|n har.,cEt5 L,hile ei lheL same an incre3Ee in the hitehino of e41:s to dtle. t 2. POPTJLATION TRENDS The prinary considgr:!+-ion to 1--he r:Fcco,lila resc.!r,:i manaq4ment proqramne et this €!,rqe r"s, whrl ei+eal tE the ': trontinued harve€t h.avino cn the $ild cEr L3!iEn= Hollands ( 198:a. 1984a. r?44b. 19e5! del.riled 1:he relevincv o{ dif+erant datr Eete End their anely3i= +rDdr variou€ nonitorinq teEhnid|-les sin€q Ehe monitorino orDoranme wa5 ini.ti"3tad, The oarrmounr- Frcblafl€ identified and which si-il I begef- the Dr.oremme{B in.:lude: ( r ) Frcblems d,-re to "waarneEs ' !E lhe ,:rdc]:1di les -T slil I be.ina hlrnted: ibt t'tost Erocodites hresd in ver, hflrvi l'l 'r,=qetate4 h-cbilats t 3nd iEr Data .n-rlvEis +Fd inlerpretatien Dther msjor EroblenE rre 1i'n.ited +, 'n.l= 1-nt 2. t. iIERIAL SURVEYS fhe t||ain Inethod u3ed t|] -tddr?Es lhe DrDb.LEfl hiE rnn"rl .crrrl {hF) cDL!n}-s o+ b:i.J neE+= .-nEqta.i rn"ntq rrE nrJdp on Ldent:itl :ea=L'= rrLlte= r linesr, The di+_3 /pr=Een1 Je:- of =!_rr'Je\': !.Jir-h the praviaLrE year e resLl1t5. trdiLrEllnenlE bv hib i l:3t Heiqhtinq are made to lhe r"rr, ds.t-a to abtsin t indEja which i.ndiEate6 r_he i:refld€ o+ FoFLrlrt.irn: in term$ o+ mdnitoring ec liv i tias, Aerial neet coLtnts hav* h(rwever been:on+ined 3n1/ tp t,be I'liddle Sepik Fegion be.eu-Ee D+ ! n F- .n,+ thrs rEqion5 E '1i'rn a"Pl.rir: ation flei3Li'.,E tt trr:h:t reqiong. / lJol Iands 1o85. lcB4ri Co:( 1984), Ditt3 +rDm the f'liddle Sepik is thlrs u3?d to qive -:n tr..'er5lI -ri=t,rr-- o+ +-hE n3tionr l eituatr'rn, tD 2.11 SEPIK NEST DATA The tnnLlal raw dqt-i t-lf,n -.!eri. t nesl a!'-1n j:s tre ;5hlrqn r.r' : €hows lhe dar-a t.r a, rd:irl./r:_ hlhil6t T3b1e J prEsentE thst +DF a- n,.'r,:e,tr,-tjne:e, 1.,: 6hould be noled lhat es deEEribed bv llalLrnds (198rrilr" the rah, dat-i is 1n,rlv6erl wrf-hrn eiEh hibil-i: t/pe rlv direEtly conp-tring the lr,rmher 4+ nFSt= on identiE,r,i route5 within that habitat !n the ,:urrpnt =Lrr.,,e\,and tf.-e previot.ts ='.|rvev" This i-E Ce+ined trE the nest-in! inderi +or that odrt'.,rliI hrhitrf dh!.h i: .-nnr,-€ir rnr'n<+ : r..: initiel Arbitrarv bese le\,sl= sFr, a+- t!:":, in t-he ;irEr: yEar o{ 5'-!rvey lnDte Tabie 4. f'e.ter Hallrnds" 1iE6l, ihil i5 October 1981 +or a, n'ryaerulneie rnd l'1:r.h 198? +or f. Ihe d-i!r Eol1e€ti.on .nd an4l'/Ei€ tl=D cre€enl .Jrf,wb:rcl,:€. ThF .lF6.r i r- +icl.r x-r " the 3erial =Lrr'..e./ l:eEhniqLle and !he ramDrBF-::fr Dr r:hE UhlDF,/FAD Froject in the e:rl\i i?Ar:t6 r?:rLlted in lacl. DJ relevaflt oanFo!,J.?r 3nd E:rDer_+-i:e tr Eil lgEt 3nd intr1,,,ie the ddte. The ccnsea,-renre D+ !hi= i5 re+1?.+-ed rn Tah1.:i: :, f, and 4 ail:h ciil:iElrler -eierpnEe tD i:, rir..!,.e4,r!.p:l? in 1986, when no slrrvevs $ere donp. The Elr:,-r r: r'1 1i1? ,:r'r|Ected !^'hen :r CLa:: I FAr-.1 Croradile F,_'rje.'L E,iceFt. indonesiil vraE eno:ae'J to r5€i:t in r,\E i" nr,Itea,.r::r:- +E EUF\.ay ioc+_Db,er) in t?B: :.nd th? a, r,)!.(,:1./:: s,-rF.,/s\,/F r r'l3rcr. , :n l?88. I 'l'he resulJ:6 e+ I'i:r_,:h tnHi :,-r C, ot,',1!u! in iairi,3e : rni 4 ,ipppar f,larmin,r in thrt !r !_aE:d ir[l.efse ], f,,rE1: cDlint3. tolloered b' r marli?'J tiecline iri lhe rrl iirqrnr veir 3r- inolied. Ihi€ oaqtern did nol -eE,-rlt ;rom 1r'l'.rnl. f]opulat-iDn rhFnas4 buL +r4n t niEh nrmber ':f diEErepsnsies in survev fr]','r:es 3n'f |-e:l- a5'rn+,: {C!), eLl rI. 1t87). Ihe-:e prdblems dqfr-e d'-lE! {:o d.nio'7nent .i inexperienced -ind unlr,{ined p4rsonneI e; ,rhich the I,ll:F has not4d 3nd !.ril1 nol r€Fs3l, lihii=L +-hE Cate i€ inElLtdad .in Tibles 2 snd 4, it is nol: '-15eCin th- tren!i 3-nalvsiE ehoHn 1n FiELrrts L I:DmF:|riErnE :a-F r':'-!le5 end nest aounts l^lere rnrde ao,ain=+- the r_es(l-tE i:f fl3rcf' !!46" The lndividl.lal Lrpn,l= =hown bv p:Eh sDEc!es :re :eeLr:r-pd in FigLrre J, C. p|r:.,!tr! =hohE -r =:E3d? in.rer=e !:5 I -!a ,.r1th Cacrp-ise { 19} d',,er_ the 1i:+- |r{o y*irs, H,t:.,4\,?r +-he i E..,el lLa4! is 3ti11 r,rt1l tbD.,/E l:he inirr:..r1 ic,rt :e1- in t!q The lrend there+cr= lnCi.ciies thrt r_ecovered Eonsidsrabl..,. i i that.'qh there |1r ,r hri-n ner_i nrl i f but ms6s!\'e habi!rt di=!'.!rbnnEee b... f i re !lLlri,r'r the dr, setsons sinEr 19EA . TT TABLE 2: Aerial survevs o+ E. oorosus in the Seoik. NUIIEEF DF NESIS FER YEAFI P.wendimbe ::- a l 4 ,Iapanda i n/E f I : 2,1 n,/E : 2 5 Lapanqai ;crol ls li tj l{a1mEL! n./E i n,;5 111 Ll 1:, Wagu LRqoonE 1i:' 1(l 14 tt: E t5 15 lilanai /Nya 1 i./h,i heb t ,,1 f.I ll l{ao,iemu Scrol lE 6S la,est liami.em',! a Bi-iqi Scrol lE nrs i ? i:i lr:L!hkain Dx bol.j ':r 1l : ,+ ,;i l,rlbl:ain L-r- oonE,'Sa r 7,i ili :: 11 Hauna LeYe l€ rlI : :t Fayanga t,/ f::!.iayan q Llr *! 2t- I : Nyngium,/1.:oF:obaqt\,a /rl f,a -1 I Swamp ?7?6117 flr5 n.?E 1 [henbri 8$ral n/5 n,/€ .ti n,,5 t'lindinbit n./= n/s 1.: n,/a n,/g -a : 1 Lap4ngal IE : ':d 7 1i -r? nl€ n./5 nta l'iotE: n/ = Indi.cates si les not €Lrveye{i i,r. tha t vear t Tot-il6 evclLrde sites not ELrrv-€\,eCin 198! tlr TABLE 3: g::i;t ="..""= ot c.novaeguineae nests in thel i]L'I'4EEFOF I\]EgTE FEN YEAF 198I i;E: 194: 1rB.: Lnr:5 taA6 lai-' F:orcrsa$reri. ,-r f n/. 2 Walmeu Laqoon 1 1::1 r:r 741 i | :hrnf,:i q-Fnl l I l?1 f 1 Fi ih: | :n-nn : f14 4 I Nyal i /F:anai. 5 5 l.(:' 11 : It:wandimbe 7 f W6gu/ WaEui 3 4 Khapar BaFat {--t i:r11 1 I F ayengat ? ]I: ! Fwinakyiyapa li:i :[i 1'1 2 14 !2 1l 1.V F:aba! ( lr:,imiemu S. Fsr-at ) : 5 tn 5 er gop ( Srro l1l'Laqcan ) 442 4l Swaqup 7 9Ab Pi 56: C-16l I -1 l":ubkein Dr bora : I lr:LlbL4inScro 1t iJ rlr:4 I L }j!,hL: i h | -6--6= 4 5 5 Ha|.rns LEv€lg ll lf, 9 5 It) 1l Bowami LE|reE 4 : ,:J ,1, t S(.ramp ?7:6f7 j'z n/a 1 : YeEEan Scro I I l'lL(naher lifi r..,i ha b f,,lot-e: I TDtalE er.l Lrde si !e-< nat -€LrrvEYsd in :1.i?: tp TABLE 4: Crocodile ncating indice- +or the sePik A. Habj.teL-NestinrJ IndiceE tar [.p!]ro3'-.!5 Habitai- 11,/Ha b Indei: pEr {e;. 198? r9af, 1984 1995 19ao '?i Lagoon Frinqee r:i.:; lrl.-t :{-l 74 Fl o; . Habitrt-NEstino IndtcgE +p. C.nov.te,r,-rj.nP.'e Habi !ai: W/ H,rb t6rt6 ' nar rcr'. 198l 194: 19e: 1984 19e5 1944 Laeoon FrinEeE ':1.: lrlrl I11 l fl e? :'5 .:'.6 I r:r(-r 12tl -T Sc.if, I I -4 Ehanne l s,/Eara tE i:!.1 t rlr'J :i:!rl 37F 1 :':,F OvProrawn D:{bawg (i,1 1{.1.-r1:5 1lt Habi tat- l{eighle. Nestin6 Indel< 1()() 1f,1 lf,A ie Ld.: I Nate€ ! (a) k/Hi:D - HebitRt llaiahting {b) C. navaeo'.rrners gllrveys LiJ lQBb wEre !r.! donF (c) C.ptfro5Lt5 5urleY6 Dt l9E7 ire n4t i rllrdec trr the lr?nds lrn -rI yE i5 r3 ol ql d,l 8J ol ..{ : .-l o. 6l d "r/ EA\ E o, o tt .1 E 2 o-t o,{ o{ OA hq oo ;t- ' (.) 0r(, tz '-! o ( n, c) z6 l I i t-, E .t .t .1 -1 \9 aolv^ 'rvrJrNr do Z sv xgdNr gNrrssN C. n4vae,-J.rrneae! in Eontrrst €howE m'j|rked pooula!iol1 "flLrctuatiDns". Impitc,rtions 3ra n6i t-h:rL there ctruld bb upsurges in pop,-lletion inEreaEeE 3lrd ai€c mar!:eid .leclines. it =houtd be nDtpC lhal n?s l-'non: Lor rnq !n . novaealuineae is somewhst 'nEre Eomolj.Etted J:hrn it1 dL. pir()Jtts (which pre+ers oppn enwirens) whera limitsr:.rL:nF are ifipolsed by the h'--avi I ! v4'!rli ted habi !3ts trni-1 Nariness due to rontin'rad ht.lnlin{ n|.|Et Lre ?ppreEiated. I lhe rse d+ aeriil suFvevs to 'rbtRin nasi ,:D'-rn+-E iE indi.rect in that the lerhni.qae rn(rnitcr€ the nlrmbers o* nestE tnd not- the popLllrtion per .ie. For monitDrinF pLrrpoEec it is Lrn+Drtunate lhat lhe percantaqe 'r+ {enel,E C. nrrr'Eeguineaa that breed erch ).air dapends very mutrh on environmental {Ecto.E, Fain+rIl and Naler levrIi f,re especielly rmoort3nt be.aLrEe high rrrn{iii and =Lrbs-.r,-L':ni. rises +lood5 nost nr6tE. This meen€ that FlElre tt probibly showE la.qe f lLla+-'riti6ne rn r-he nestinq rr h relatival./ 3teble populetian with 1984 and 1987 be:n,b extremely dry. Io 1987 lhe water level rct-{.tlls 'rnrp.drded becaLrEe lhe dater lEvel wa= below th!" ba€e ,rJ th- dridr'.iFd DdlF !'qFd +o thF measLtrg wEtler ievei. Grven-- - _ T Eon5ideretioFE ibo..,e. de cEr\Erder the poolrI -.l'-.iDn o+ -r, n1)e:repujn€ile as being Bi-rble in the porti6n o+ t-he popr!lation gurveyed. 2.12 OTHER AREAS Thera are many iraas 4here 3eri.al rDunt= 3re nol 'rsed due tD linited +{nd: 3nd lDqiEL.i€3. ihe llDF a)(peri-s t|: e:{pRnd the 9urvey6 ta new rr_er5 (.,ith =LLtlatrIE habr+-at,E ieg. Fenolagani and Eroome. 19BSi. Thesa in.1lde thl-" nrajor |{ei-1and ararE o+ the Fla'nu Ri./ar' (l'lidan,l Fr,:rvinEe:, Cenlral . Northern and West Sepik FrDvintres. 2.2 OTHER II6NITORIN6 ACTI VIIIES In area€ where the h.rbit-rts in:kp €eriri E(rlrnl,: ine++icj.ent Dther monitorino teEhnique€ ere bein'f strnt'inl.led ar leiIl ba reinstited, The6a incl'-1C-- (rFfer Hol lsnds 198?a. 1984a I : ( e) Night Epor-t:nq tnd t-.qqin? sLlrve\r5 in l--h'? Central {6enolagsni 19q8, HL(1o et q1 I rnd 901mu. 19BB). Uestprn iil|.rlD. lPEe) . !'iornbe. {3Et iid la,e€t seoil4. and NDrthern PravincaE anC /eg. llil.lie rnd HLrlo. L98B); ib) E).taminlna "catch oer Lrnit- E{+ort" i!-_Fl-lE):and (E) |:1:]nd4ctin 'E ,/il1a .oe i-n ter\/iar.rs. R.rN del,r fron \/erious s'-rrveys lhrDugh bainq €oflpiIed far tn.lysiE. A major r. l:It 2.3 TRADE STATISTICS In addi!j.on to ooniterj.no ic!lvitieq !,jtlined rbovp" ,_rne o{ !he -impor}_ant monitDr:nq psr"linpt=r5 is thr.L!!h Tr i{,1,tr et-rtisticE. The mei.n cem!,onpnr_ np/-e := in the !rl],i!:et,a,r,:t,: EVetem whei.a sl I licEnEed tr-tCers mr-t6! Eomol.\, r,ritt.l lh.= d at-r +aroet prov ided . jor lvlr detail6 c+ the hlrnfer'n5t slw4yEr rnd hiE ..rI1r,re, thE Epe.isE beina trrded, r{here !t r!16 .rlrqht i.ret: at!.,a\.! provided), !.rhether lhe rninal != lr,ie c. Dnl,. llaE =rln ( qrada) i.ncILld4s 1E presante,j. f,lFasl!rEnen l:_- aa9 tlELr r-ecordpd Dn Lhe bettv wrdth:. 3nd to!il len,tth i+ rt.,,e. The flain dockat re€orCE pri!ide Ceti on the supFlv sour€e€. the si:4 rrnqps ind n,jmber D+ tn!l!]31: har./eErE.f 4E weli !.s ol trrdeFE in var.rous lo!:aiiti.es. The datr i= i.,[pi]rt3nt in monitcrri.no lhe irve c,rr,:n3Ept supply leq. TrblE 1i to ranches 3nd the n''{mbe!-D.. :{r-td Ehin€ h3r.le€tpd. the5e are cD,nprrpd .in Fie,-rrE r. ?,rhere r! ctn be seen th,{l r3nchinc hr! rerEFed better ieieiapnenr, partfculrly +a. a. o..\r1.tsus. fhe tridE dar:r rl,5D,nonrEor= lhe exportgd skins +cr specles bot-h in thejr tDtr.i n,rmber€ | 3.ppro!in€tal.r' :n.r:,r:,,:,-:a. ,:,,:O.,e I Jnd =,tL,r.e lJr 6lr:ins { i. e. rrnchsC ,rr r,r:Ii I nl tholrEh tE shoan !n F ro,-rr,!. l:he 5 b'-llh a+ tha p:port5 .:lr-e =t jl l !!j- ld .:j":rn=. ln r-hE c+Ee Df the wild El,in€ the sL:i.n ei:e! hF!e bFer, c,rteoori.ed into the illEqst isr{er li,n1i :-i:E: , _!he lEEnj t.1d leqal =i:ed El,:rns { 1.9-5i.mi, imF,.rr:3nt r:!.c}rne!i. herp rs thci- r-he r_ln,ler =i:ed Er.rn€ hr,..e naE :Lr,nor-,.=_J!t.:. portion of thr erlportE Einee l981 al l:ha.joh t:h1= :rt--acr\. '.,eE crrmpri€inq qlmo€t 5r:r'/,o+ r-he ::iDcrts =rnae liTl, , p,:!ri!545 was r:he 'nain yitrtim then" kenahed !l.in3 i_,i 'f radLlally incre3Einq Fa.rtiaLll3rl./ i,_r L, Ir,r.,,:r/,., ,^rh,r..1 netn€ thet there i= 1e:= emptr:,:rE Dr hltnr:lnir -,)f- ,!r-llj In tH,nrs o+ har./eEr:€ +rcn r_hL?rlId !:!ileC:rD,:,r,1:.iE_- r:ire gi:e di.stribr-!tion iE 6hEr,,,n rn Fio!re tr. i I r.= =hf1ur.r r_h: !l the b|lik o+ the harvpEr:ed =i.e t= in lhe L!Be. ,:it:qa, -rhi,. o+ between 1B-3f, Em (rpDro,!im-a+-Ft'i 1:::.. t,eI1.-, r,iCth€. snrell incrEase toe,ard= r:hp S+-Ftdm (.-_e:, lrel t L|!drh pcrlj.cn iE rttribitted nr:f !c ci,erLri:+d L rlls b.-l+:nD6ti! !c sone r:rf,der-= h:|!in4 Lhe t,n4t^r l'pdl]e t,r =lretih :tn,l.,4r- Ehri.nlr ELinE. !l: iE e::re.+_ed +-hf,! with ,rc..e :nFL,t i_nt,l sts++ lr-3ininq ,:n r +troani.lior1 ,:tf aLlah E3:e€ ll-re €,]p,Er.-? t^,o[Id 3ddres= ]:he €i!'_!s r_iDn, As +or !he I,er+er :"rte,:a-. =jges the incrrnied CE?Eiapornt ar+ rgnEh:t!rt :s En./i.€il]ed t! EDntroI the E.itlr!tien throltoh liwe prr:h:sen an,l mlrre pdll€ltion r"r3l on lhr gqonomicE D+ En3l i Ei..:Ln=,,-r EUE l.srger sLiiF end ltra i.mportanre o+ fhe breedjn. :!;,3 Fnrmtsls^ t:5 I alc0i! a: CID@DIII l|^n9Ell l9?7 - lgEt SnnG llll(lilNt /!!lD LtlB I'UE|!!SE tr t! N .t0 t t a to !l 3o t I !19 le I f I a 1 o o8l fn rrroir oa crocoolrs Sirxs t9tt _ l9a, a I t tUd rtlr rA - 5l E 6 t! C,nova6oulneae 105 0 510 :15 aerly rJidrh (cJ|') FIGURE 5r Sit€ distlibutioA of lrll.d kiued crocodLlea in P.N.c flon I98 5 - 1987 g An irnporl-:|n i cDn ten tion i < l-h:i +hF BrE E. EXPORT PROCEDURES Flecot ni:tnn +h:+ +hF rrl!'FE ar |-hs 6rr+i-t^rnl meeti ng iE so vrrred. thrt r=. +hFrE i=: -nn+in-aF+ n sciEntj"{i. pertrc i FAntE. bLlt- who ire Yary rnl.tch invol ved in the in te.na!iona I tr+de. The€e i.nc ILrC rmPorters. ellporterB rnd memberE ol tha I n ternationa L. ( ILJCN) being FreEenl-- Rn.t ea 1r i= --n. ,lrrr.t I q be !ror rrrwhite to preEent lhe e;1Port pror:acl'-rr€E involYe 4 N6. ThrE rs =ince FllG rs the cn ly "ie6a1" in d tri.cted eFporter 'jl rrolh d. frr!vPa{4in€re tnd l' ExFort Proceduras Th- hrcr. .!i6^Ff ^16-a.l',req rrq: ( J ) Exportina o+ :.DcidilE rl.r.i r-.nd. or Ir',e !n =one aases) -ira arrrieC olrt bv IiE=nseC .-o:rsrrler on1v. The e:{Port l.Lc-nces tr|] sPpr? Pd l:nl'/ lr, rhe t4i.rEte- 'crr the DeDrrinent of EnvirEnnent and CanEEryar:ion {DECI: r2) nll e:loDrt .|oplicrtiDns rre Eubnitt?d LJilh :t ie'/v payment (flrnaeensnt Levy) ta the DECi .:l\ rFt6 eL ine led b..rt 1etsE11 lwo FNG l.lildlif= E-.rnEe!_E{qrzetleC' rrhcrF rll lrr.4 and,,',lr enal1 :Iins !n r,he €hipnent tr.i r'eoP3EL!r'P(l and g rade4t i i4) Ihe Ekins rre then tadded iLITES T3'rE\i ind i i5) The rppliErliDn I tr.,n--+ AaF;i i-, i = +hEn +Fo f (]\./ed b.1j f-hr Con€arva ttrr o+ FtLrFt {tsetr-et3r,,, !lEi: the export o{ thr efti nflFn+ :: lO g! CoNSERVATIENHEASURE9 To enabla and enhancp the ELrFren! ststrrs lhp neeC +.f EOnServatton measLlreE :ira esEen tj.a I to provade a1{eati're management, ThE pr imary EcnEerY4lilrn nreaErlras olrtl. ined belDw: ( 1l National Erorodil.e F|.oiect - AE trFinlec DLlt bv HDllandE (1981a. 14ts4a) the rDle and lunctiDnE o+ thF Na t i.on.r l Crocodil-- FrtrJE.t (NCP) wi thin t.he c rocod i.l e reEollrEe deve l opmeh l" i.n.Jr-,slry iE t € on6erv-t liDn ne5sl(re to monitor trendE o+ thr lai Id stocl':E and the trtsdF, (:l Leoi=lrtrons - En+nraeoenL o+ /-rr:olrs I e.-1i s l.i - i on : , particLrlirlv th. CrDaadj.la Trida /Frcteitir:nr Act. Ehapler l.lo. 31:. Ft,-tns .F.ate.titrn and lontrcl ) AEt, Chapter 154 =trll require mDre emFhac-i9. The r,rtionai bans o+ bellv width shinE oarF 1:han 51 rm rnd lEE- lhan 1B Eo he./e rontribLlted mLlch l:o imFrD\/aflentE .:n Ekj.n Eires tor r--rade. qrrdl'lrl Eh!{t fr|)m trrld ki1tE, tnd an impetL,s tD Li /e F'-Lrchase b.,, +trtn€, Ihe othPr envi6aaed dEveloDosnt != lo enE|''.lr_+oe t.idi.tional l;]ws thFDuqh the land I,en!r+ --!stem 14 Fari-iclrlarIv :Dntrcl poa€hino .n lr;rdil1Llntrl lrnd. {;) !4:!e-atlas-5lr.if;-:-E - i,'= -r+:het F.-i':r 'nE+iure r= l-hrD'.!'th vsrior-rE harvestino Etrrl-eures. rhry€e in4lLtde: Discouragi.nq lhe harr,e6t D+ wild gLinE tnd oIr.inq.i nore emphaEi= 4n the Ceveldome.nt 4+ r'3nchEE . The nir..l qo.r1 here i6 ta rllaw inqreised rE\/enLre !_i'rt r.ri!h L4sE impact on Lhe !.,i.1d poFUl,iti3n3. Ihe _:Elrv: !', !.ioltI.J .Edt.tae lhE n'rmber o; smr I I t r:.I d -l':inE trlj t b!? .ndnFn<.+F.l hw Fr i = ind -- lh- =m:ri L-L1,'e ':r_Ecedi.lsE +n" hidhFr -rt,r-.1 , r5FnE/- =.-Ed 3nC h1.h llra I i l\': =lain-r. (h) Developmenl o+ +rf-mE r+ h',-+c- Etock 5f 6ome f,=. l]!..1r:'ei:nrtr bFrnd hat,r ,...r:: L-hP 55un try. These flol.r.Ld be needed +or- reELaEfin'tr 5harid the Eit,-r3tion w-{rrin t= /E) El],t hrr.JE€r:5 enElrreE nesl Eal'/.?'I,:E +1r'tr rratllf rl ftclDrE, suEh iEr f lD,fds" oth=f enimF.lE rn,j €3peci.3l1/ hLrman DrEdit-iL1n. fhe hrr',,€:l: af :E'ts ll.an nes!E LLnder €rch sondit-ion€ m3ke ,-r6e Di th= =a-c3l1ed potential "waEte€" t9 ore oro+il:|biE ':ent!r_eg lhrol|gh ertificirl inE'-(brtiDn inC +ar,n re3!'inq ai Lt those that ELraaeEEfLrlI\, hal:h. The e:/rrqrEF hcl.|e\'.il- i,s dn 3 resp3rEh bssiE at Fresent qhere 1r il: enviE.sged thet more dg.elcom?nl is ?"oeci9al . igc= r'- 315o gollacted on +3rm-< l.lhiEh :Dn'lLrEt sdme breeciilr.i. The .1:lter f-holrgh i= noi e):ps'E+-e'J tE be f, n.j.a development a-< it rio41d be rneLr++!crent t,r =,-,opl? the i I t.4) EEtrbliEhmenL p+ ErpEtrdila reser''es - A ma developdent t-6 orEr-e CONCLUSIT]NS It iE evident irem abo',e that FNG i= cLrrren t1,i' mrrnl'E|inind ite -.n€Fr!r|.i6F :n.i o.:nrn-nFn+ nbi€.tl s..61,-i l:tiFn i< heinn --n'-!rl la.l .lth-"dh . lnt rndhr 1i6 ACKNOtILEDGEt'IENTS r.-je i.:,r,.,d DLrr lh,in{.:6 tD :r11 r:hcee !{hltr i)a',e ,rpen Crr!.ra.i ] ind/or indrr,3ctlv invol'/FC r.rith the .roc.di1e m:niqem4ntl pr4qran,ne in FN6. fhesE inqi,-rde .r3riD4= =te+r Lrnd4r the UNDF.',FAl -rirl 5o.,er.1ner,t pers_annE.i jt r-r.f,.,- :rrir/:j Av.rilibilitv D+ /irrdu= reForl= inc ':omm€nr-€ {i-an m.rnt nFdole hav6 nrdE thE cFdrlrf,nne !o r^rhal: ii i.E tadrv, Farti.L,lar mentien i3 ma'le D+ tha 198: report v,,hlEh n"tl in-d the drdreEtidn6 to be srhi?\,ed and he5 {Drmed the brEi.E +or th:= ._eoer_t. Dl:her r?po-q= Dr =!,1n I ! i c er',:,= -inclLrdr the 1"A4, 1984 and the 1FB5 l:-.h4ieai reoort. This EaDer- benp-fitEd 6rertl.,/ r.,ith c':nnents and :s5i.=t3nt= by Mrrtin lJelIrnds iSttle. Coilede. Ulr: j'-,st Frr5. tc i:he f38 Sorl':j.nq l'leetinq {Dr l.lhiEh v{e 3r3 5in.eFply 'rt-atE+!1. Fin-q1Iy, br-rl: nDi the leaEl, mEnlion is m3de eEFecitll! Dt Lhe lJriF ela++ who rre rt-temFtin4 ttr bridde manv leEhn:€31 daiicienEieE in all +t.Et= o+ the NEF oro!rrmmts bi-rt -^61 ri h"+erl n. -Frr:t! -nE nf ,aricr"lE :ornpdnenls o+ thiE FaPgr, 14 FIFFFFFN'Fq Bol ton , ll. (1977r. ,;r rq.'ej:,:: r,eDrrt ,rra i;r. }!:rr,:.r,!r trd.i?.r j is Pr.t ie,:t I l/al!. Lrlrir,.ee f p{r,.,r, .;u,i\- 1?77, FAL1,/UN!-tPori:r je:f r',). P!lt':ii4.,,:j:?. F+4, Rome. Bol ton , t'|. (1974), Crr,:cdi1e +arininq in Fapl:la l.lew riLrine-r, .lrrurnaJ o! tha launa Pre:-ervatr'rn l-_oai9tyr. eryr'. Feprint Uol, XIV. llo.4. r Bolton, f'f. (19E1). irnr-L),Ji)e hasbaFLir''/ :n E:p,r€ $4,,r Guinea. Fteld 0,.'.utter,+/,11,+, a..l0 r*lE D-,'i-.:: Ne. PllG!74/O]9. FAO, Rooe. i I 8ol too , M. and n. Laufa. (19E]2). The c.ocodrle prdj?.1 {n F3pua New 6'.!1nea. B!l]j. i{rrl5erv! ?:: 149-17e. Broofie, E.L. (1948). I orelioir,.rrY : |,v e::i i d : : j r'rn rnia! .,- --t:,=),7r la hree,J!'.,i _.tt::, b- !_=r:1(.? tj''e ,,1r.l,rrrie ItaF:4..eni .qre+ iJJ,.l.' 'tt,.\EeI r4 the ;lr,J,Jje jrA:F. ;tcllt il,-rr i-:,.t!i:+. |'latiDna.l F,-!l:pL!kProjeat. ilEpt. EnvirDnment 34d {:onEerv:tiDn. Port HoregbY. Broome, E.L. and E.C, Solou. (1?EB). ir,r.,',Jrl4 ,j,'ut15 i'\e :r:r(:l,!t.rlnr, lnli l;et..j. ir -.e!,::', ii;i4' ltistrtEt :r.: ihe r,-rtti prd!,.tit-.- i,latron3l F,-ll":F'-lf Erore.+. nobl,. tr. 'Frnnent ?nd '-:i-€:r. rl jl FDrt i'16reet1v, ; I Burqin, S. (19goa). A FeYie'r' Dn r-h4,:r:':ediie 1:trnrrl': Ftpue lish, ELrj-nea. :-_.:! 4r.' aa Jr de,'J ri|lIn4a. :i2 BurEin t S. (19gob). rhe strtr= |J+ lhe bi,rl.oa. rnd ecrla q:r 'e+ Ft6!3 New 6'-ti4ee'€ Er5codi-i:. ir,:":,'d"-i n r!v !te !?u .rt' € a e ,.'j,:hmidtl, ::':lelf I :r' ]!eAl ,:4rre Burgin, s. (1941). rhF bi,rlrd! rnd !..r a. er,'r,: : ,::- gtrhneiderl " 5,:rsn{e lir !iet( 6arrPi. 'Li ii I I Eurgin t s. ( 1942! , t: f-4EodX id€ lnd Ner.r Guinaa, i oo ,:95-f,i1,:11r In Horauta, Fcrnetta alld tl. Heany. (ed5). ;I r,rdi f lrn ei ,:.rrr::P,"r' i t i, 'n r'! Flp!a t!9,1 6u.:r're3i ,rir! +.r,r t{),Ji\,,. IASEhl, FD't ilcre5bal. I r€ Cox, J. (1944). r:f .1/:.1,:rlF :.re5f.rn,l ?.:r:!ii,4y : rrr irpur rer,r 6{ljnae. F.rejd ,?.,.,..lilent lir.,,:" i..ll);,-irttrp p."r.-j.;* Mr:!, Pl/6/74r tr':, , FAO, F:ome" Cox, J. , B. Gor{eP anEl J. Wilmot. ( 1987). .i..{- -'r-".. . ., Eror:t.tdile ne::f in ,j| ir lA4 il:d,rl5 5eFtIr,Qearirri, ?apua ^re]t, alarne:, NatiDnal F!,riFL1l,. Fr-cjai:{, Dept. EnYirDnmen'l -..nd CDnEErvrl:icn , l4oresbv. : Do|ineg, l'f.C. (196?). p!.,terti'.'n i,)! tirs ar,r.,,,JrJs ::ii ir., TraCe",rrlrri!ia l!r,ir.r'rn,.,-./bJrarlialn .P:.i. Dept. q..i.Dn,DEFt +nd':rn=erv-r!r,:rn, S,:y': i"oreEb,v. Dor.nes, M.C. (L97Or. qec,.|+ ,)n f5r ir.,:, ari€ :::l.in !tCustrat pe.erel.e," 1.7i'J. J4!JLrjri_€ Ir-ir.j:-r,1. Pabl!ari:r.!r, 7l/'.-, Dept. invirBnln-onl- rrid Eonserv.tlon, Fort FloreEb!. I Dos|neE r H.C. (1971a). Reo ri,rn fhe (!rr{rn, ireeiir{' ,lr' i-;!"|tup. j._Ce4js:i ':arvir,ri.frl€,:r,.'.|4:_Ie :ipe.jaJ!::ij ,:arnni:r:.:,):i- Iiifr'. r.i?Fi l'i:f"i:r i,:.-iB Itar.A J:r7J. H11dlife Di\.iEion FLlbIlrr+-iEn :1/li. Dept. En / ir"orloanl: tnd CDnEer./:Jtf Dn . F,:r+- l'lcresb\,. Dovaneg , ll.C. (1971b), r'|.:tn:1se,n4nt -il thE ,:r'..Ddii!- lnd,-rEtr-j' in Feoi-r. llew 6,-1ine+" iDF.i:1_i:61: !.\ Anon. (ed), I r ,r,t ,. '-r r ,la J , i/-tilii .,]:1,i:.:ir,.r, i,',i!, :tr^^lF6.r,f ... J>:^.' ii,i i: l.l-r'r€r n,{' !---Fr id.. , oD, l;: r , Dor{neE' t.C. (1974}. ln erFi.r,irii,.', "i *,\P iirt ' '1' P'r.li ': ), dn :,' r:!,:,rlrjj E,:. ,rtInr$9, l+r.ldj!;e irl' : :: l l,lF f,rb1rL:i!.:.!r tr'':', Seci-. En..'ir-lnrnent [Dn€ervit-iDn, F4rt i'lDre€b\.. Dor,.nes, ll.C. (f974). Fiepor+.:ri the CL-nELlIl:rnt:, l,lilCilj? i,lana-€Ement F |.DErrmme= +or FtpL!a Nelr, BLliner , III! The DrDqL-dil!- FroiEEt, ,rriri r+? rrr iec,-rr ,\€rq darn€r. 78i1l) ! l.-:l:-. Eaton ! P. (1986). 1.r3.:'"().)i-. a i,!l ::e r r ? ; r ' rri ., ,r.r.l4l:i: l,!a|rr,Jeserr: 4r'' a:. !r PtnU? tu*rr '-.t:-e:, .t..: 2tu.lie:t':e.,iIe llao.r'fi .cr., i, l-.lni7*|-:i!.. af Fl.iE, Frtr! floreEby, 1.5 Genolagani, ( ,l: John-Mark. 19EB) . trtra, !p .'.tdni :./..lt.yetl.j .r the Certtral p:,rvra.e t .14-!-? ;rune,i:rr-8, Nar:i,.rnr :n'/ i rDnnen 1: d lDnserv:!ian , FDr r: !.rDrisb\, " I Genolagani, John-t'lark. and E.L. Froome. (l9BB), arloEo,lile lle:if :iurr/ey .ri airp J,lanulr nErr !ip pr(rytDre. /.1,:!rrlbe N€tional FLrt.puk prajrEt. [eFl iEnvironmant -ind Con5_orvst-ion. Fort Moresbv. (l9EO). Gir.ham. A. ltflnrt,rrin4 (lrAplrn, i ADt'UllUP Pr.) ! e.t .iir:! , PNG,/7+!Izp! .4i:=i5tlr-e ,:!) f ha :ra,\{ardi J9 alin inLraI tr-,1, FAOr F,rma. (1981). ri.ppin,J Erahalr|, A. the partern .li ar 4,:'r,Jj j b n4iljna !€r! !..rty jn pap4: ll:l\, bujnEa. Fra-{{ lr,).,-rren| .Vo,.;, iC0,'r,qrp tr,,.tiat r:r . P 6./7+ ,.,:7!1:? FAD, Romp, 1 Erahan, A. and tt. Rore. t19€1). Lr,rrj.,Jrle e{:,n:torrnLl :t prttyrnEer 6u!f :r :J,,r),rn,J rr;,: ."-.,".] | e.$r/n:r-t::jina4. F4DluNlp pr.t j..t ,:!,.) PNc/7 4..tlSF . FAo. Rome. Grahafi. A. and R. l,rhitaker. (1980). L-., i.i., !, : e ,-,,r_r r p :, ae:.frn'J .ri l,rar,Jar.! tA'e$o. ilrxer,, nlational Irocr--di]e Er'trjEc!. i_,Epi. gn,/:r,tnmenr: ind EDnservtt:rn, Forl: ilorg€b!. Hall, P. ( 19BSa) . i.lonr tar* irlr rn /-3i e .{i,_rfret, r,:rf ,, r.t, F A0 / Ullo P P.4rrie. f .r,li:!...116,, 74./tr:1t, FAD t rjr:me, Hall, P. (19€O). L:rnt!.,,ir)e F{,nitr:!f in4 rrr rr{a it4rrn.r D!::*rrct, rh abl!sire,{ '.inil ,{eoar,!-., €Ag,lUil?p Prlr je.t $ir" PNGiT4it:15P. !:r-o.:.dj.1e i'jsna4ement Frsiett-. Dept. Frinery Indu=tr-\,. For.l tlcreEb\.. Helli P. (l9Al). i.lorriirjf-rr.:' :n lr*e i1rurra,,. i)i3tri FAO/UllDP .,:r11-i"ri #!:!, P 6!7+t'OfF. CrdcDd ils flanaoement F rD j eri. Dept. Prin4r\., In'lLr€t Port i,loresby. i Holland!, l.l. ( 1982a) . Iie --4it!:. .rt' ,:ro(r,,J.r.j4 .l !n Papue lleA, ,!,r!nea. Drocc'di1e ll tnaoern Prf'jeEt. Dept. Fr_imary IndL,str'.,, Fort I'lDr-e€b\,, i I HaIl, P. (1?Eja). l'i{)nrf '1r jn,-7 rn Lake ,1l4rr3: l1t:rirr FA0/UNOP Fr.r.iaci rJ!'. PN6/7411:9. FAr_1.Frrrne, tn Hal l. ' F. ( 19EJb). tLr.:l I' \ . .rburi:r€r,r€ rnd ' C",)..n,1, is' I I 11r:'r'14,:7r-rI r.re:e :rr4 a, p !. ':u-. :rj :ii ? j.r('/l'i.t.1 I ?)5tr i.t , Pip,rE r'rer+ Ee:"er,'rnpubirshed ll,5,j 'f hesis, l,.ini /ersil./ .+ Id3hD. USA, ipp.?8), Hollancts, Fl. ( 1982a). fhe :'arf{1:. i)i .r'(1,:)'J: le in Ptau3 lt€,,r duired. Cr6{odile l'lrnaqemen t Project. Dap+-. Fri,n'rr'v in'lL!6i-r'r'. Fort l'1orE3by. Hol lands t M. (1982b). Frot-a.t-!n.t the irrPedinq ErDEodilE€ in the Nild. lrlar)a.:Je r'tintqeaa',* Sa.lJatjh t11,,1, Dept. Fri,nrrry lnd,-lEtry. Farl floresbY. i pp.11-15 i . '!-ne Hol Iands' |'t. (1?B4a), :titLrE o+ .rDcirdiIe pdpulationE in F4pLra New LiLlinee, In Pr4aeadjng:r t:'.i'fhe c;th tlt,rkit;d l'!est.h 4 ,.l fhs ir+:t,i:)e !pe.rsl::'t the SqeL!::. iurrir'rJ L:a)$:,'rrJ5j'rn flf: 6rl:!uo "r' :.fgrnttl(cal L':-er'rrt: 'r' rji llr'rrP rn'J .VeiuraJ,{'e:r,.rur,:e:r':,,rrt'pneri rt yI.t{:rr!i Fa.lJ3_' LjF!5ai1Are rrd !t. Lu.i: i:.t:ref -., .:'.iuth 4t(t'.3! i ?-.3f-t 5.ept4$baf j'i E'!', iuchl t l'1Drqe5 ! swit:qrlind, {pP. 1-:Ii. {)1' HoI l ands t t'1. (19S4b!. 4 or:iIll:ili)' :jsFri"t*rr)r ,:r 1)cr'r4! I e pr'pu j.r i r r.)rl tre t,l,. .ll'r':rpud,\aA".ltll rre,] f rL,n 1P$l-l1ro'4' PrPe:r'e'i ihe !Evenin |r1rr"i!r,l !,te.ti'r,J ,r.r tip IUa,q ir..":n,ii1e :;oecrajjJt 6r,r4o, !:ra.t:r, lEne:lJelej !afl:'L5er, li,\'+, irDEo,lile l'l3.rl.tqemen! FrDjeEt' l_'Ept' jart E -imrr. indL,atr'1. raolgEb , '.f :r Hol Iands ' M. (19451. 4 re!jer,l ':''1':r",'ll3 s.:rr34B$errL' !:pu: ee/,r 6ulielt ,ijJl:-. $eii'ra:: :in'J et'fe.:t:vlns:r:r, F4pa'' pra:'sr't:d :t fi€ 13':h/r'I'31 trllli4rer,',:e r)n ie,).r.lrle Iierrr4!nar'it .?3nu3rv I t95' l,ar.(j$, .qr-!:rtfaira' Dro€odile irl'rn_rae'nent Pro-isclr Bepl-. Frirn3ry indu5r-ry Fort I'loresby ' p|pul3f jir l-roI r".,u., M. (19€6a). :r,ia -'t!i!:' "i :/rr'j|'rr:-ie l/9ir 6urne:tt i.!il-I i,c.i. f,,r th€ i!,iSi_11 iifrt rrrF i"eerrlq ')i tne :J.JCN arr.r:r:'L{jl: :loPa.r3.!.!:rt L:attupt';luIt'''' ,1.:f L.ber' ll!i'., ,1r,r,:Ddi1e I'lanE'lement Dept. Friin:r\' ifldLretrt F,:r! l"l':rresbv ' -tir::1 j:?:_r. \etl 5u(r'er' Hollands t'i. (1986b). i' cl'!'rr:r4:' Proiect ' rlr,J eig r.a3rl,e:r:' trD'tr'l!lE fl'lnaaamPnt ' ntrn'-rf=s, li'spl: ' Fr:dl-irlr lndLr:tr''" Fot_t 1'lora:b'i 1€ Hol, Lands, l'1. and 6. 6oudie. ( 1984) . l,a.?n+aamEnl: D+ the DrocDdil? 1n'lLl€l-rv 1n Faor!.3 New Li,-11ne+, In Prt)Eee'tn4t ..,f tip if h n.'rl rn.t tiFet !tq .;'r the Illcll ir,|r|ir-rJe loe€ieji:rfs d,",rup. a3r!.::,, Yenetue 1j,, L?.tr.trer, J:$+. Eaines,,,r.L 1e, l.JnivE rs i ty o{ Fll1riCa. U:A. Hulo, T.J. ' G. Solmu and V. Puni. ( l9AA). traj,J fr ri rePdrtt Abau tn,J 8i g,! !rrfri:t:., fex+r;:i - Prnvtxae! :.? j-1 "I:...,r1 t,.:.r., fldtr.loil F._,!pL,t. Froject. Depr-, anvirdnmenl: rnd ConEerva{:ion. Fort l'larEEbY, Hulo, T.J. (19AAt. .4 trt.co,iile surve'. !:! iiie r:ip l!!rrrrt a(ea, He!tern ?r':.tyinEe t A - J: quJ4st J iSF. f.lation3l FL,hp|.lljProj:trt, L,rpt. €n,..irDnnEnt and eonservaiion, Fort i\lores b!-" Kr|aPena, N. and tt. Bolton. (1.982). Ihe ni1:.!cnal trrtrE:.l.rrle 9ro ject ln F splra f,ier! El-riner: e 6urnmar',, F+ politry ind pr_trrrres€. \pp.:15-1:l r, In Fr,rcs4.i.s.,.-rr .,f i,i€ ,ltA ,,1r.,,"*rrrg ile:ijnq ^f i.lle irn,:r,.Jrle i:De,:i.li5t ijr.'!p ,r..r tle :pe.::F:- 5urviv4J a ij !)rn i :r:: ! .'n r.,f f he Irf t€!.nrr!r'nrJ /JFjl'r. f,1r f '.'r -.e |' t, 3 * ! r'.r ,r,i ii)ttJrP :Ir'r ii.l4rei '!s:i,.',./r:ij :,rrireng j ei ihe r:,'.rLr: :lf ra: I'lrr-ie?i:. rt!np.r,r j{e. Fl:rr rrr!, i54r t;-ix, .4,.!1'Jrt j.i::il, I--.lcl.,l.BlrnE, SL{it:erIand. (pp,+l:le), Lev.r, J. (1975). rl,"i'.:r.',ljl: :--ijrj In,lu:-f f v :r. prp,re i;Er,r ;4irreei ni:N t,+:nf), \i:rr.5 lrj4. ]!jj"rjri: ,'ir.ir_ir.,a t.ibji:rtrr,.r 7'..t1, lEpt" gn\/i.r.n,nEFL rnd ConsErvrtiDn. FoFt l.!are5b!. , Lever, J. (1978). tp,:lrn:.i.I ,.'!:.je -I rrpJ: ,ir|he :rr1!,:(:rCile l_3fIst,Je:.Igfl 3nd',oeitsirr,!. !ti"i'ji:f: r,)jr/j::1.!r t!bI i.:t:,,I.r iE. Jl:,, !1,"pt, En!i.inoil.1: end Conserw3tion, Fort llorF:bt. I Lav.r, J. .nd E. Bal3on. (197€}). {.::.:rr'itr,)n .rt 1e:-f b',' i Cr':rEtJ'i/!u-. ri. r / r e ,, ! rre ae , ir:+-tronr1 t-o.DrMr: ,rli Fro jeql-. idl i+e 8i'1iEi,rn " llent. €i'/i.,-1n1'-'n1: and EDn€erv.!.!on. Fort l'lors€b!' " Itedem' F. lL976r. rleo'r'i 'ra .he ::urr:!' '::l r'I ILa r'll t Ptx,l" \5r!, ,-i,lrri!t lr J.l:. lii!r.r i I 1'! i1!r?j::.:i.,n tubjt,::f rr)ri r_1.r'., r-\Ept, L:tn"j€ .^l Ff, ir.'.,iE"". FDrL i.IDre=ir!, i'lontague, J.J. (1941). /,-rh tr r f fei r t a l,:t r.,.J : .:r-!:.,:r,rrFe P']Pll1r*i4n !r, F:pa r tYe,'Jaui$ea |1. !:c iireJ I::, fi i -hi nrn ..F-ta rlnilrer'€f !\/. Ergl qen, {pp,4A, I I UD i l'lontague, J.J- (19E}2). Ir-,:,iDs,xret..J,: anaJY5 j5 4"f Cra.tt4- ltJs rt..' Fly lTtver .1r2:.!:e,Je. t j 5 5 e r i r r .r') r, . i'lichif trn. (Fp llontague, \t.J. ( 1983) . In+lL'Pnca of tJdter Ievel . hun t-L[14 presgure and habi r.e{: type on c roEod i 1e abLrndance in the Fly F:j.vrr dr,iinaqe. Papera ll$w 6,-rinea. Bi d.l . L(rnrrerv€. I ilontague, J. J. ( 1964) , ilorohamelrrc anr !vEis _t' ir. r:rl: ,:! L.i1/ I !.t J: a..:,r/iegt.l! rre re frsn the tr1y -t drtinaqE, Frpua Uew G!inE:', 14::i, ,.! Jd.l . 11r:95-414. Pernetta, it.C. and S. Burqin. (1978). /-jin::,.1i .if d,',r.,r,j j o,t'pulat r.rn:- tnd tA"j,. 4roi" i ftt!{,n !n t 4 Pur"r ! :l-ea ri.rrif :r Irr,)t.rieLi a ha t,t i ::.t r:,f + A4roPf!)iirna', Eur?:.i O!(ea i l.l-t I i,/'lr,)e)e,:tri,: !;.ne,re Er,yr",:,r.| l/+1.14. E+fi.? alf Environmen! anC DDnsarYa t-i Fflrt l'lore€bY ' PP,'14 ) , llhitaker, R. (1979). ,.1 crelirrir:r.\, cr,),:i,li!e re:.iJ4r"a9 rn th,- ::rlanLr o!-rryjnaF:: PrF,j: i,erq i_!.i:qei, ttn^t't1 \ rla-,t ,1-^,..r F,,,iF,-i A/,, Environment 3r1d tonger./4t-ion t FLlrt- i'lor_9gby. lfhitaker, R. ( l9SO). Ir'ierj.D reO':,r-t ,,i t..e :t2+u. Lrj:rtrlbrJlr(,$ i.'i aJr.'r:r'rdjJej tn pao4a iiipr( 6rll Fie2,1 !rr.!,.rerr t iir,i, i.ql.t:!.liilP Pr,',ie:t Fil6l74/tJ?l . FAD, F:omF. iFF,5i j. l,liIIie. T.E. and J.T. Hulo. (1,988t. {ri',rr:." f ieirr pr irr: the iirrrth ri4'i{]|!t:tn:rp.r},in-e; :: ' 3.,1A p '' {.i JliElS, FildlifE Br'3nch. Lrept, En'rir,rnnenl Conservrtiin . F4rl: PlDreebv. llD STATUS OF cnoccDYLas PONOSUS AND C. AVAEGIJ I \IFAE POFULATIONS IN PAPUA NEW EUINEA: 1981 - 1eeo. i JOHN-i4ARK 6 6ENOLAGANI AND JOHN I'1 WILI.IOT NliTiqilAiCi0C00i!r HAmEEi€tT Utrli DEFARTT4ENTI]F ENVIRON]I€NTAND CONSERVATION P O B0r 5266 NrTlcr{41ciitr4 Dl;it:!T P,lfUAN€l €{lll€A April 19?':t PitEt tlEFiii! irlt i!18 T:llri W,lFl:iNDlr:i!il6 ,r rili Ciilt"r'!11! Si!Ci|{!ii Eiliif IUCN,/SSC iu{Vitto,ll 64illE:r/lLL5.IJSA: 23 - 27 AiliL 199'.r, r:'r STATUS OF CRDCODYLUS POROSUS AND C. TAVAEGU}NEAE POPULATIONS IN PAPUA NEl.,,GUINEA: 1981 - 199c). L._rj$EqDJ€ll_o-t! _i1r< !.F --' )"'.: ,r- .r,\ r-he j o.p'-rLilrons :J+ tw,: :r-r.:'-.lrle Epe,:!re= c,-.r :n ".,j.,1 l'lew 6rine=1. Ihe -=Fecies 3re .-'f,.!,:/J.ivt!:: -{!r'(1:r,r:: -rn'l ,_.; rir.,r':r4,-rurne!?. Th? r-atr.r": iE dr!lner'!li, bE€ed .:jn ':he r-r::itrrlF f-eoort or-E:entErl in 19Fle aG*n,ii3|l-rnr. rn$ )1r.1,fl,,-'r. L'iyP' r,h. +-frp Ninth WDrking t'leer:in? 'ri the frL-.-dCi;e -jFe':r,iliel 'jrl]up {ljSEl 3+- l-aer F3Er-!:r Neht,iL,rnFr3. t.. briet. qrpll. l'.re''JE'ri-!-r€r -s i!:niEr nntioniL FljI),:v Eir+-e: Lhat o,a:inru blrrlerr.lE ijErr'reC a.-:nrllerr:-! |i ,?)lDiDir:rr_iDr' €rrDr, ri tr€ d!r?{tiC to!{?r4s i1'1.j ,-e€irl,-:,f :!wner-:! 3nd riaL !!.i.J har../e:t-. tp of r,j1,.i..1i,. q..ri{l"a l,:r'j, Ef the rJe!einFosnr: ef ranrhrnc FrcgFi irlrls, f,: tsn.j,lr'+ r:ile .f:'.-a_: e':hie'.irr4 :Dii ;:+ 5r_,Ei:tlr1-rtiA-\,:-o.id h*f nn i rri=i = ;l{,,r r rnrre L:f,l , .he .J:ii:i 3hl:brh :r ti'li: reE.rf i-, ;1.-:,_'s sf irn3r , r h.1f!eE'-5. hi':s! e::Far t94. 1|1r +--he D1p!, i. t,.-.:r. .',fenii: rl3i:"3. lt :irDrrll rL: r'*ied ':irri l:i!E t.r:i.:ii.l ,l:r1.ii ,:._:. F:: l'?*9.iFBq Fef :':i r|: rrr'5 rcft: l:!tr r.:!J ,ltl:: :i. tlrij!t.ed "l l.l9r,:n lirPg +i:) tr:ir'. l. i.:cii, ?. EIF'LOI TAT-LONENP IF.g.OE r.r.lr:i hlE : t i.l l l|la'.!|']Tn]'nP,]i nnl? :r Fer_la,l ll:i-i'-r'c ! ri'16 rnft,r ;;r1 1:/',: ,ir: l:: 'r!-:rt '..fnl n j.,:r!_!:.: t l.l l,rri iI l:_, ,l:1 {!'fr ir !:rra:::Eitt it!.:lr Dt.i.::rg !:i1r" i.t-.:rrne '. i I :|': 1r'r:li! 1t: _,-ji elpnr'L= lrlcr'9ilsed Erd|.1r-fr': -r'.r.lv atr.J grFn?ij ::.i3s!irri+l-Lj i,.jF i, ,rri ll i.rn. ':li Ll",i.;, rt leaEl_ +'-r!r ! -ii ,, -r l r,rn 6:r:rlLl l,J!e beerr pi j,.l I 1' \'rli{ir'= lr'.'rrlr:e':, "r'rr.:r ':tfrn i |le LD!rr_,r i. 1..,e hlr ,:sll ff:i lrrth €a'+ti,as r.rr l:?tr ,r!e.,'= it.1b1e i I j-: dlre r:r hj.ili u+l_=.t lF:.,e i l:q p, Dd'ri:: . jr,r?!_= ilrj,:f. Hpre ,irlpfrr 1ei.:--1d i*r' rl!i-r{.n rl €li, Ll: :ii..:'-'rd La!? +r1l-].:ine':J +-hrl: the iriai! 1^ril!|- I 'rI i.l:= nlrnr r-r,':l i rf,e r,'i- r.rl = ,nD|r? ,Jii+i.!-!lr ri :'rl.i rttl l li 'ie"' r.,rp rll1,1 m':1f_,!inirf]a'?€! jbl-F {r'---!. 14r rrr.lrrr: 13 13 TOTAL LM FURCHFSE BY IIAJDR RANCHES ANI} FAFiIS IN PNG Year C , D(,r,ae9u i n e ae Tota I ,i: l. 1F*.-, :ei" loEl -r: ":E ',i i r, I +94 i.i6r- Itr:F r. .j, "85 L,:,,: l':-9: r-5: i ::,,r :,:!-r':i tli "1,+'"'-:,1'j 1; i_1rt t;s': ,jr1-r: ; -:. lnilili).]l'.,e5'].tji.pc.]]=']4]r::F]:E.€.:j.e= tr:.=!rirl rtl tfl* {r5: ir*ll-i: a.o"r-'t.. irs:: :t.+-.!,ri!!er' t'r:re l.:.t3 lreF :afil ,t,1nrFtr=r +-t-'rr Fn i 'r nr'?4r'imr',r, "t1litrr.,1h ir;:i-.'rii l.he :ati_,,' +', ,.,= a,,_.,., i-r,!r!'rM -4 :c!:eEaEr: 1..rr !i.-'11:,r t)f :rl:r:t::,i: !tr ttn{it rr9i. iirr:i r.ri h?Errl rhr-r', ' :.: .r:, -,h.: ':t]nErlll:j|l'i:rn "r:th L1.r1r. i!.,EtrimE{i[:]r:,:iri]txif-:l-'-.rn -' rri.lslr aljtr,sr; rili,:. rr.:rlr rFrra :,:\rii:,:rf .ii:t.:1r' ,,, 1r!l : ' ! - : i Er "_ -,-,. ,_.. l : .?r' t.: a'F +: = .:,._..-P_SP_uLFI_!_qI! ..-!FEN_qF 3. t FRESENT I{AJAR FROFLEi{ iil r:he i'.irl fir-eFi-r4 i!1 iiSii r nLrmtrer '-r; !r,rril ,:. r-i-" j{:ic,! 4erc en.,-=aE4.J r'rI i.,npierrarlt-i-n€ il. l':9 .n,.i 1rr!,;' ltqj.r. Ihe6e irlElLrdsl evDirrsi.or' .r* lhe ter:-91, ':'rr"{:!s }-: :atlr9!' r.!qiorr= i.n $.he i,,'rntr.-. t:rirl[r: lit,r-t)n 3r!.J i.rt"1:= c; ,r'!har nvrriler in,r ,j,nr:tr 5+iE =i-t.!1 e+ ni-qh+, :rrr '!r. ,1.r.. ::r:!-r,;r. ':,ir , j.113'rE :r,i:Er. ie$.: ,r'.,1 rr - : r : : !--,i]r: . f he ,t19Er.1re oi i,lre i::\rtni,r. : 4rc.)|'1r r':! Lirri,., riq,_ner_, !1lr'n cafiri-rrr3 t:,::D!]ef li!.r,i .r.:.irrr'rE t,-r ij,-r1l i .l"rr:l',rt"1i i-.:r{nil.' :r' f-r'r,rer-:;) i-I1.:: 1:lrri.- d1'.: j r liriC r!.rr'-:r:: L1l-rr::it: ::jN'll j=,s r,t?',i:.\r i.r. .!r, I jrn,-.E' i :r,:1I -l'l IilNI I 1)t!it,:rf i-[,i.' i:ri "rr.f,;^ ilrF 1]|l1,, 1r:r:r,'i.: lr3;: -:.1: i. +.i,F tr, i iri l ,ri.n,i.ri flr-3Er: FIjf.j':r'.: .lrr' .1':i-il i ltt - FlcuRr lr Tottl crocodlle harve.l tn PNC, 1977 1989 (!) clocodvlus novacqulneae 45 UZ paEch... !o vtable €99s 35 @ !rl1d sklng l0 D z5 E 29 I5 3 lo 5 o 77 7S 79 80 81 82 83 8{ 85 86 87 88 89 l0 3 1 3 2 I 0 71 7a 19 80 8I 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 19 I FIGURE2: E.port of crocodlle Ekins fro|tr PNG, 197? - 1989 I (r) 45 Crocodvlua nova€lrulne!€ F.r'i !kin! N {0 r- tlld lskins - l8 chs be] Iy wldrh rclld 3E f----l Ekins tJ rB cls betly I !o 20 a IO 0 a1 88 89 71 7S 19 80 8t 82 83 81 (b) Crocoilvlu! polo6ua a 7 2 6 1 I o 88 89 77 78 79 80 8l 82 83 8{ S5 86 87 Ierr Even with i-he t:ri-s ,rrfl |i"ttrned above r:fle F l.l!i L,t):,,,prnnr'lnl: reEognises the iflpcrt.an.e tri th6 .:rLtredj.LF tndL,€r!r.r. l\r.i.i hae been demonslr,rted bv ,nii:!n'r e./3,Ltirrl-e fr.reded nfld adeqLr.ete f unding to .eFrv DLLi the -+EFi f,1 €ur.7e!.s ci i:iln *i1d popurationE D+ hoth =ce.ies. p,+Fi:r:ul"r1/ ror Lhe d. t,,,vEPguineie Er4rvevE in D{:ttrber 1989 ani '! hEi r. o,,-i,:r.1: 5ur.,,ev3 4+ Fl3rtrh l!'9r:,. Dn thi3 nD+-e -r..Ls,r l.:tre hl!|r_.r.,:rn 1.L Crocodile l'lqn.rgeoent Unit i r.,l6i'lut camnirFC6 lhe 6overnrn*rlt in iinincrng the Lravel o-i l!.rD ai;:rers l:a etlene Lhll= meer-tiF. ! I 3.2 NESTIN€ INDICES! l?€E - 1990 I IllE llBB r Dd.i DrF:€nL6rt thF nn6i'Irt,,an ,1F FaEiaally, +hF :rrr\'e\,! Jor'.Ls on l:np i1nnrl11 s'_lrvev:; f,_1! :r.'-ii!e fleE1_-E r^rh!:h rre arjunted :ln41 rD{l4rrsd 3lDn -o iden|-iEal sr-Lr\.,e\! Tcrrl:eE i-nD-der ta dstprfirrne lhc ngstinl: irrdiEe:- rnr €3qtr scF:cies il-ld113n,lE. 1984 j " fh:= r= .and,-rc|td in the l.lidCl-- ieFil. Feq-r-'rn *nr thF,rAt.3 Llsed til, af9sEni: i n:filrrl:,1 niEi-rr19 :. r:hE h,iid nDELri€li!-.r! !reflds,l Iire dr!r:r ':r:rIls€ticrr r :i :n:.1!'s.i-: *E C!*'.'.:itrFEil b,. H-'rli?rj4E illfjll jrrrlE, tqEir h3: h*e., .:,ppLj.,='j 1:o ,ie!" ,-4, el .ll . 1?rt. {jen,f l to3rr-,- *{ t1. iir,,.o. 1_::.rfl,tr,. FD, F,r!.t}r ::r ,,i tllis 'rrear-in't th= r!!! d.+rr :rnd 'lEllil= .it ,-lri-f jn=r!.=r= ha\e rr!t beefl :n4ifdFd, e:r.€pt +,he erI.rrlatE.l rp=Lrlf-"_'l =' ,+' llre5 snr'r3l fr'!Et-itrq l:rencji +fr citrch :peci.E: :dhi,:h :1rr,1 =flnljrr i'r f .rb1t r, { :rr_+nh-i:: reo''i?EEnl-ii|11i ti Lllij f r-,hj"L1t-,!..!i.'thleij r!:.Ei:.iflu i-n':1j.:e3 'f"rbi:;1 :r L! r/e.:: !:n..-e,J fie Elre!.!ll irr r'3bie ;i ih,---r"i? !!a= .r ,lpE Lln.l ir! iegd , 14dr :.n:r rrSh r-':- trc D. rl,:! {?r.,. i?.r.,jjli. tr1._,rr !,,i th Lhe rlec.l i.rr:. r:.lre rr*r=i:]:rr,: .indE!. €i1tr!{e Lira j,ri,j:i!:.? r'5 be s!i,11 a.leI I iher'F Lhe "d-.n?er " rindr.i+-.r-level o+ 1.,.'ri :ieh i'r lldrl:li l"8i . i: ;grr'- f . ,i.i.!h 3n rnn'_1.1l ,,n.:t c:rse .r-r ne€1:ing br 5,f,i: in = i v'::!r/.5., _ FDr i., nrrr,jeg,-lrrrpr,9. lher'6. ,nr- rn !ntt-9=r9e b./ 14"; !n itEtr I +-he.e 113rlr t-o !t(rt a{ !'?F7 i?l} " Ir 1?99 l17l !.ra6 : dr.. !ifre o+ lijr:i flrJnr ,:r+r:" rfre r_.l.r.rl. led .,a t.,_,e,: r.i.' li?!Jq iE hoe'+ver iisD rbove +-he "d3nde!_" iFvel of Lr:t{], !!.F ir. lJ€,tober tqBt 1.Jr!:11Jri rrrnual .lestins !ncre1se .:+ ilmeE: :f:i { 1.99:11 f Er lhs ni.'re yetr L1eriDd,. ls N || o -€ o O LaN.oN r o i- (} - 0li N f,r {-{t N (D + F ra N tt't o ! (\l Lrd 2 O r {Ol L u o rtoLlrt I< € N €+ > a! t'- r.r o r.- < iD .{| flo f. G iar< tr, r! 1.) i - c aratqo o u tr) { }1tl o o o,of,.(} 6 rr (! N -{ zr' (} ali F G trJ lrl o Z !' !lz z lrl o JZ (.0 2 AF o lrl 6 ct2 lrl - z o (lF I 4 F cE 3 3 FF .5;E! N@ (l OD J tt ct F(l I JO !l4l - .Jnoo tlt t. I l- o t { 8 iq I o I I .qq o I o I .t .-l I o o 4. o oo|.4 oo tl i,c' ';| 2 ..1 o n c a I I I q B o A t so'rv^ ,rvr,LrNr Jo 7. sc xao||I gNrJsstl LS 3.3 I,IILD E6G HARVESTS The othEr monitorind p.ar,ameter rendLrcled in4on j'-{n,:ti4n with thE aerial ne€t E'.lrvey6 is wild elo harveEts. Einep it6 incEption in 19BS Dnly +or /:j Fdr':,!-,r:: 3nd in 19Bg f!rr C. n!.ry9etu jnare the .relivity h3E fnei LviJ:h mixe,h re:ponsesa Notable +eature€ have been r-he con|-inLteC coop€rrition af landownerB {nes! ownerBl l,ho tqrae, +ar protec|-ion o+ npEt3 rnd a per.antaqe i3 har'/E5ted bv J:f,P M'{inl.and Hotdin€E Feet!18 Frrm tf Lre !Hollend= 1985. 'lot: et al. 198?). Dn r-he othar hend nofl lindodnPr5 ,:l3im thaF the r.E+-ivity iE de+-rioentf,l in that r.rild =tcc!:5 qil ! do€line. CLrrrently there i6 a lDt D+ Eon€r-li tii-ion beinF made with the landowner€. the Local Fovernmen! 3nd th€ provinc.iel ;d'ninistretorg. Th,e ictivi.t'l != no!^t bej-ni rccepted rnd di l1 ,:onti-'.',", The 5i.onificenEP or- i{ no+- lhe iftpDrtanl +etr-r,t" o+ thf r.ri1d eqq harvEet Proars,nme !3 t ^ ^F-,,!ain6 inrliro.+ .6d dirEEt dilr Dn 5cme tsFectE r+ biol|]qy and r3iges lrldr€ tcpi,:s fcr +ield r-asEtr.h +c- bol:h €pecreE /i3, et al 1949. 6enolaaani el rI. l?9,lrr 1s9tbr " An importf,n inforrnation Dbt3ined to datP htE been l:n ?Y:dencE D reEruitmen|- into the wili pooll1-..!ioflt, Ihi= h-35 iee throueh camprrat-i\.e lneen .lLf!.h Ei?e€ rnC tiEl.C vi'6|.ri 5i:e EEtirnal-i4nE ,r+ tLtendanl neEtinq lEmaleE {lD* et- rl 1989. rienolaq3ni. et ,il. 1?9r-13 1?9':!b: ^ 4. CONCLUSIONS , I The ,najor +eatlrrE of lhiE repDrl-- sh.rAs Lhat Ft'lu'4 nalionel i-oo1r..y and ic.ompBnyin€ proarammeE L{h:ih aorlf t.]!46rdF lhe qdal o+ =l.lgtsi.nabtE-yj.41d 11-rr'1esLEDn t lono term be5iE i€ grrdlrallv beinq rerllrE'1. The qeher i inaree€e in EDmnercitl at(Flcil4tisn o.'ef the itEL =:'ell ye-z,rE tppear nor, 15 haYe e Catrinenlrl lmp:.1- rsccrC:in'l to the d3t-r presentEC lbove ':rl the ?tel:!!5 tJ+ lh: '\i-id 'h+ pop,-llatiDn6 oJ bolh Epecies' ln sdditidn con€ePr3 t icn_or'ien ted !.ri1d €clo hirveele iE .Dntinllin,r :nl iE rein+orcinq nest Prolerlion bY lairdor'lnerE rrl recDqnition D+ aDn€er',3tlDn ,'.11'-tEsand $onet-ir'"' fn:em{ th-rt i5 aed.rataC whilEt at the Eetna time the !r:1erEi5e r_: ;{ monitorina tool. bEj.nq '-rEed lo dateci: reerr-tllmllnr: R+ nq"! 6aei- i n' 4amn t aq - I Bi.van the rlatr to dete, ehe :r.et|1= ':"" :ha wr!l'l pDPul3tiane 6+ a, c,'r.1::1J5 anC i;, srrr'i9?2lne3e are conEidered. 5i+= 3nd a.nFal:ible e,j.th the ':'-!rren r: lEval= '}-he.-_+arP o{. e€peEi4Ily cdmtnerEial erplDitrtion rnd thP =pe€ies be maint:ined in iloPendiri II 6i E.I"T.E'5. ,:p cox. J.. J-H. GENOLAGANI and J. l{ILl'lOT. i19A9i' ..:,.:, .l 1. ..: r-e .4 ,...." : ,:ei't, to,j j ie r'. r_r.'! ihe i.r.|D:rt'lprrr rr: Err, rf|irncr,a nr,d !.r:!p.Li;: r,lr: rrpa|ir.jl*: r;,J!e.rrer,i t)! ..:z! 't+ 'r'i':.r.'!1. I'l r: C.aEDd:-I* rn,{qem'?F !.rni-t. i:'=F+:" €Il\'r-r,rr'1irrF!1i: t:..i:er,-,-ri-:3n. -r,'-t jnd l'l.:-esb.,,, Fl.i,;. I I GENOLAGANI' J-l'1. and J.f{. tlILf'lOT. (l9AB}. :r::rii:: r:r1.? :rr.l,:r:.1::L: O,ro ? i .i i-i ,rl :r ir! ir"w .;,.rrri{ll ,.:i.cl - t:ti;:r, .lsa.: i ilf apaf :d 'ine,:: Arr,,ri:r,d ,',liai:iir.r i.'J f ie l,.rr:|]4t:"e riIJ: i!du.E! trr .!U!:hl:ia ::r:, rr r.4, i: e ,j :r r:t'., r,:rr-i. i; _' ir o,:trl,a. ir!*!,'. Nnt.r-'_1nn! :rccrcr i: Lr_,rieet. t,?L1r-. ' r.l:nEer'.'tlior1 i:.-1!'l: i!ia|.+5!:1!, E-n ,,i!_-n'nenl !n,l " GENOLAGANI ! J-}I. r J.H. WILIiOT. E.L. FROOI,IE AND J. CDI, (199Oa). t|Jr'r,,?\:r i.,. i: tiltrtttii9 l|i lEiilttltll -ie:rr:r .:" :le tli,j,i)e :_;sfi& i1'.?,;!:.'s. P,:r?.!! n,er, 6,r.!r.,e:r J: - l;- d,:t'..iia' I r$';, i.Jal:cnel r:ra!:,r'Jr le I'irn!4elnen t i-'ni-t-, qesr-. EnvironmEni anC ten5e. :r: !n' -..t fldree b.,'- Fi!'j, GENOLAGANI, J.l'1.. J.M, wILI'IOT and J. EOX. (199obi ' :,: ,-/.lr,,/,!/: ,\1, .: idir0ri.,.rJ:rt.tsllt :Ii :ne i'i Ijle -rj r, ,ie!'.1fI., -_:lr.t.lt ii 4 1.. 4 lrI i.rP I e : lri+r,:s ir'-: lri':i jl:!t:i .i:li'-r, ilnLi-entri l:']'ra,-'''i.1.rs i'1-.r1','re'neni r-h:L l-''?d:. tln,,i t-,rnner.! r:. ar,,J .j,:! I ;Et -v i{ : i cn . F,llF. t.toLLANDSr tl. (1984). ,l |relIlr'ir:r" ia,:nrit:trrill:trrr : i ,--r' r..:- I .,i : I e or.'crririar]rIr fr_91":J:' .:r. FEo,r: ii? e_!i:,e: r_{rr' ,:r:j - i.!Sr tlillrtnj1 ,:'itJ:.r! L!,r i.i:rr'3,f Erd,lq I Frq-i|:fr:, I'el:], an-,ir-''-'.r,reni: inr] lrrlr?ei?rl-i.):1, ;: t,l'a i: !rl: i.1or ":= b.... , HDLLANDS' l!. (19E}5). !-::r'i'IineriJi i:rj r a lr't-'j' a-' . ' - _, 1 t- .,I., : rr -j rllj .: l.: : : : :1r,tr,_-'elm..rri I n a.: i !:: L D-fii,{I..1i li.r,'riB, itL-i-aniL il.,li:e,j: !.r lllaai,.tF,)1rirr r. ,: jr,..!el. I f Fr'Jjr,cr.. .trP!:t. En\''rrnlltenI :,)d ". r. . Fnrt t'lDf eEb!,,. !,r,jl:. to SOMENEW INFORMAT]ONON THE VENZUELANLLANOS HARVESTS Slefan Gorzula, Sustained. Management Systems, 1221, BrickeII Avenue, Ninbh FIoor, Miami, FIorida, USA. and' Ed,gar Usechi, PROFAUNA, Ministerio del Anbj.ente y d.e ]os Recursos Naburales RenovabI es, Edificj.o Camejo, piso I, CenCro Sinlon Bolivar Caracas, Venezuela. In 1989 and 1990 PROFAUNAestablj.Ehed harvest qi-rotas for Caiman crocodilus, on privateLy or{ned caltle lanches. The basis of lhese quotas nere technicaL leporls prepared by field. lechnicians, who were university graduales flom a variety of field.s (biology, animal husbandry, agfronomy anai envilonnentaL engineers). They were Iicensed Lo cary out caimao sulveys afler having atlended a lhree clay course given by PROFAUNA. During the cour3e they were trained in dly season survey methods. lbe authors e:ranj.neil 704 reporls by 83 lechnicians, and. found that tha accuracy of, reporlinq varied greably. In th:s paper r{e use a selection of the rnosl credible leporls to eslablish some simpLe guideLines for future evaluati,ons. A prelj.minary solec!ion of, reports was lnaale by examinj-ng the reported size structures of lhe caiman populations on individ.uaL ranches. In the venezueLan Llanos Large males (Life class Iv) make up about 20* of the non-hatchLing population ( Ayarzaguena, 1980; Seijas, 1986; Slaton and Dj.xon, 1975). For the purposes of this paper, we rejected aLL of lhe reports of any bechnicians who consj.stantlv reporled lhis Life cLass Iv as bei!19 40* or more. A subsequent filtering involveal repolts wj.th incompleta alata or olher anohalies. The final dala set included. 97 reports by 18 Uechnici.ans. 161 The relationship belween the availabili."y of permanent t{ater anal rancb size is sumharized on Figure 1, Larg:e ranches (20,000 hectares or more) have less than 1* of lhei! surface area as pernanent graler during the d.ry seasoo, erhereag snall ranches may have up Uo 10*. Io some very smalL ranches, of only a feer hundred hectares lhe percentage nay be higher still. The owners of smaLL ranches tend to constluct mole cattle poncls, dams and. borro!. pitg per square kilometer than exj.st on large rancheg, rhich are generally opell rangeland. The anomalous poiRt ot1 Figure 1 is not ltecessarily incorrect, but ce!!ainty indicates a ranch that should, be inspected. The relationship between the overall density of caimans anal ranch gize i.s on Figure 2. Large lanches have a much lolrer density of caj.manE compared !o some smaller ones. This is probably directly reLated to lhe avail.ability of pernanenl water, Some small ranches (< 500 hectares) may have up to 1,500 noD- hatchli.ng caimans per square kilomeler. the reporled. {iensili.es nay lrel1 be accurale, as the caimans from temporary weeLanals oulside a property can conc€ntrate in permalre! waler ri.thin it. The relationship between caiman d.ensity and. the avaj.Ia.bi.ly of water on ranches larger than 1,000 hectares is on ligure 3. There is a positi.ve correlalion between the overall deisily of cainans and tha availabj.Iily of permanent waler. As a first approximation it suggests lhat lhe carlyingf capacity of the Llanos netlanils woulal be somewhaU less thao 3OO lron-halchling caimans per Equale kilometer, but that it would only be reached in those areag erher€ the avai.labi.Iity of pernanen! naler during the d.ry season !{as more lhan 48 of thal wetland area. Theee d,a!a nay provide an inj.tiaL guide for Lhose ranchers who 'rish to improve Uheir cairnan habitat. The reports uEed for these analyses eslimated a lotal of 3?3,863 cainang within 10,800 square kilometers of ralrchland. Thie gj-ves an overall mean d.ansily of 34,62 caimans per square kilometer of tlanos, whi.ch i.s Iittle more than 10* of the gotenlj.al d.ensity if water r'rere not a liroiting factor d.uring the dry season. It also ind.icates that lhe totaL populalion of non- halchLinq cai.trlans ia the Venezuelao Llanos wou]cl be ilr the ord.er of 1,750, 000. L62 LITERATURE CITED Ayarzaguena, J. (1980) Ecologia del caiman de Anteojos o Baba. Caiman sclelops, en 1os Llanos de Apure, venezueLa. Doctoral Dissertation. Complutense Uoiversity, Mad.rid., Spain. Seijas, A.E. (1986) Eslimaciones poblacionales d,e Babas, gglog4 .r^.^di trte Fh l^e T.lanos OccidenlaIes de Venezuela. Vida Sj.tvestre Neotropical, !(1): 24-30, slaton, M,A. and J,R.Di*on (1975) sludies on the alry season biology of cai.nan crocod.j.lus crocoali].us from th6 venezuelan Llanos. @, 35( 101), 237-265, AKNOWLEDGEMENTS The aulhors wish to thank Grahane l{ebb for editj.ng lhe manugcript, Andrea 6aski for helping tti.th Iasl minute Itoduction of bhe manuecrj,pt, carlos Galan for d.rawing lhe figures, and Jose Ayarzaquena for his comments relating to bhe preLiminary processing of the data, ldt The relat'ionship betlreen tbe avaiLability of permanent water (as a percentage of the ranch size) and ranch size (in hectar€s) in lhe Venezuelan LIanos. to ( sAtA gAsE, tlR R) G trl - F = IJ 2 - G lrJ \ G al a a. t ^t oi .O lii a a -- f' ... ? od 90 000 RAI{CH gZE (ho) ffi Figure 2. The !e Ialionship belween lhe overall d.e.sily of spectacled cainans ( in non-batchling caimans per kiLometer of, ranch ) and ranch size (in hectares) in the Venezuelan Llanos. :l()O :t ( oAta aASE, XAR R) ,l ir N E l. - 1 u, (9 = J i\, - 9 i\ e - \ =3 ,3. oo a .-J a, o --ro___ ai.t..' .1. aa ol 90000 RAIICH SIZE :ho) 16:t Fi.gure 3. The lelationship belween the overall densily of spectacled caimans (in lton-hatchl,ing caimans pe: square kilometer of ranch) and. tbe availabili.ty of permanent waler (as a percenlagte of the ranch sj.ze) j,n bhe Veoezuelan Llanos. 300 (DATABASE, IAR'IF} N E Y a 3t a (9 z '/ a J a - a I I aa E a - a a a t o- z e. a t tt a 3 t' t t.3t o' l.'o t . 06 5 % PEF ANENT WATER 16t6 UTILIZATION OF THE MUSCULATURE OF THE SPECTACLE CAI'MAN(ealman crocodl Ius) AS A FOOD RESOURCE; ITS PROCESSING BY SAOL ELIAS GUTIERREZ EL-JURI SPecial thesis rrork presenfeo before Unlversldad Sin6n Bol lvar on January 8,1985,1n part l al ful fl I lment of Li centlate 1n Bi o I ogy. UN]VERSIDAD SI}TON BOLI VAR tThis is ao inltial SARTENEJAS-BARUTA translation frou Spani sh VENEZUELA for adml3si on purposes. The L22 page text will be piovlded upon request. ) 167 SUM}'ARY In this work an integral study of the skeletal muscle- t'ure of the Spectacle Cayman(Caiman crocodilus)r'as real- lzed,fron an al lnentar], vleopolnt. A serles of studles and ;analyses $as-done on the nuscletuae of fourteeD specimens of dl.fferent lengths and sizes,captured in the Venezuelan states of Apure, Barl nas, and cuarico. The studles and analyses included: calculatlons of the relative yields of four different cuts of carcass flesn rn three size groups;pbyslcal-chemical altalysis of three nuscle types(tall,torso,and extremities):production of a meat flour; microbiological analysls of the meat;developnent of a caDnecl p.oduct; deterni nat i on of the thermal paraneters of the neat and of the canned product. The yi.elds of the meat in relation to the totat weight ueae found to lncrease as a function of the size of the individual animals.This yield in the larger aninals can approach 43& of total body weight. The paoximal analyses of the meat revealed i! is rich in paotein(about 2O*) and has a low fat content(less Enan 1&),but is a good source of mlnerals such as calcium and iron. A process was developed which permitted the creation of a flour from Cayoatr meat. This has a hlgh proteln content(A6.6*) 16E and was utlllzed in the nutrlttonal assays with rats. The value of ttte protein efficlency ratio(p.E.R.) for Caynan neat was 3.75 and the net protein ratio(N.p.R. ) was 4.50. These values, in some cases,oere greater than those found for casein(3.55 ar\d L.34 respectlvely),confirming the high protei.lt quality of this neat. Itlcrobiologlcal analysis revealed 1ou or nesl.isible levets of the following mlcroorganisns:mesophil ic aerobes;SlgpELI: ococcus aureus;total col.lform; fecal coliform;yeasts/molds. In all the cases the mErximun values found lrere withln the safe range establ ished for humao consunption. A canned oeat product was produced, based on experiments ln pre-cooklng which led to a uniform quality and a proqucf, with an agreeable flavor and a te:tture sj.mitar to ttrat of canned flsh. Lastly, a series of studles of the heat penetration ln 211x3OO cans of tbe meat product and also of the ral,, meat uras carrled out. The slnp1e heatlng curves in each were plotted and unique slopes were observed. Based on these curves,the facto.(J) and the sl.ope(Fh) were clerived. The values fouDd were 1.45 and 40 respectively for the developed product and 2.2O and 29 for whole sections of the raw meat. 169 INTRODUCTI ON Tbe Cayman(Caimancrocodilus) !s the most abundant of the f i.ve species of crocodiles that exlst ln Venezuela. It per_ tains to the sub-fanily Alllqatorioae and 1s found ln a ulde variety of acquatlc envi ronments in almost aIl parts of the country,up to an altltude of 4OOmeters above sea level- In lg82,after a twelve-year ban on the hunting of the Cayoan, the Mlnistry of the Envlronment and Renewable Natural Resources establ. Lshed an experimental season for the comnercial harvest of the species. EarIler prellminary investigation had conflroed that anple CayEan populations existed and would support. an expertmental program. - ? Untll nor|,,crocodlles have been exploited for their skin,pri.ncipally. The qrorldnide market clemandfor j.s es[r- mated at sone two mlllion sklns per year, of this total, about 758 are Caynan skins fron South America. The beneflts of a rational harvest of wlld fauna are many: 3ci enti f 1c research : cul tural /recaeat i onal act i vi t i es; and the pi'oducti on of consuEea goocls such as leather ancl neat. The food crisis that affects Third world countrj.e:r, and in partlcular,Latln American nations,makes critical the maximumutlllzation of available food resources. The Slobal possibtlities to develop the productlon of De{, sources lm of animal protein are limited. Caymanmeat,Iike that of many ottrer vertabrates of our autoctonous fauna, reptesents an lnteresting source of high quality animal protein. Urgent scientific studies are requlr- ed for thls species,in all dlsclpl ines,which ('ill pernlt tlte development of adequate technologies for its manageoenE aocl conservat1o4--\ \'>-r\u^ '3 - 7 The main obJectlve of this r,,,orkis a coEplete study,froo j.errpoint.,rof an alinentary v the skeletal musclature of the Caynan. ao,r \ To achleve this dDd fourteen Cayman specimens of different size and ireight were studied. They were captured in the Venezuelan states of Apu.e, Bar i nas, and Cuarico,itrls beinq tbe.fi.rst alinentary study of tbj.s species,the mosE rmporlanf aspects were addressed that lrould afford a complete comparison with other Eeats traditlonally consumed in venezuela. Flrst,a study of the total and partial yields of the 6eat tdas dooe. Thi.s lncluded four different cuts of meat iio a three separate si,ze groups of Cayman specinens. Second,the cheElcal coEpositlon of the meat was deternirr_ ed by proxiEal analyslsIi^rater,proteln, fat,ash)for tnree types of Eusclature in ten of the specimens- The mineral content lras also calculated for importa,rt nutaitlonal factoas such as cal c1un, i ron, phosphorous, amgnesi umzi nc, sodi um,ano potassl uu. - -Thlrd,the nicrobe count of the meat was measurecl. Varlous nlcrobi.ological assays conoon to al itlentary science were clonei L71 -of (N,l't-P. ) coliforn and fecal coliform;Staphvlococcus count; nesophyl l c aerobe count; yeast,/mol d count, Fourth,a nutaitional assay uas done to deternine the quality of the protein in cayman lleat, For this,a meat flour was prepared,using all types of skeletal muscles from various specimens. Later,a control dlet was fornulated, whose primary protein source was caseln.An expealnental dlet was also fornul ated, using Cayman meat flour as the nain proteln source. These diets were administered to two groups of laboratory rats who were later compareal for the gain in body ueight and proteln consunption during a tuo week period.As a parallel, a group of aninals were fed a diet without protein. '1 Lastty,a study of tbe canning and heat processing ia method was carried out. This method is crucial for the preservatign and comnerclalizatlon of Cayman meat. Various paelioinary tests were r$€*.ia€d- f or the canning of raw meat. Further tests were done in pre-cooking ttle meat to improve the product. A study of the heat penetratiot of the rneat assisted the deternination of the thermal characteristics of the meat product. The processing tine(Bb) was calculated as ('eLl as the value of steailization process(Fo). Thls study was also perforhed with whole neat pieces,without pre-cooklng,to establish the thernal parameters of Caynan neat for future research. To confian the derived data, a test of commerclal steri.lity. was applied- tn The Method of Crocodile Hatching adopted irl Arba linch crocodile Farm, Ethiopia Tadesse Haj.lu (Bsc, PGD),}lildlife Farns co-ordinator, Ethiopian $ildlite Colservation Organisation, P.O. Box 386, Addis Ababa, Ethj.opia MarchI990 I. Introduction Arba fiinch crocodile Farn sas established iD ni.d 1984nainly for the connercial utilisation of Nile crocodiles (Crocodylus niloticus l,aureoti 1768) of Lake Abayaand Lake Chamo. The tartn i.s situated at the Festern end of a piece of land separattng Lake Aba!'afron Lake Chamo.It lies on the extremesouth-westerl shore of Lake Abayaabout six kj.lonelers awaylron Arba Mj.nch,lhe capital of [orth ono Region (AIrItex1). It has an area ot about 3 hectares of land and j.ts gradielt is very gentle sloping torards LakeAbaya xhich is some500 meters awayfron the srte. t{e[tI years ago, lhere xas a connerci.alhunting concession operating qrocodile hunting all over the rivers and lakes of Ethiopia, By that tine the crocodile resource had beeohunted to lhe extent at lrhi.ch thi.8 corfiercial operation could no Longercontinue. As a lesult, crocodile hurting on a connercialscale ceased(Bollon 1983, Hutton, 1988), Eecauseof the actj.on taken, there followed an increase in the crocodile population in the lakes and rivers of Ethiopia. As all added protective neasure, aDdalso to benefit fron the conhercial dernandfor crocodile skin, Arba Minch crocodile Farm!'as set up by the Ethiopialr Wildlife CoDservationOtganisation ot the Mrnrstry of Agriculture, beilg naterj.ally and technically assisted by FAo/UNDPot the Unlled Nations. The objectives of the fann are :- - to collect clocodile eqgsand halchlingseach year in older to producecrocodile skits and neat, - to generate revenues!n foreign exchangetron the sales ot crocodile skins, neat and curios, - to restock l0* of the iarmedclocodiles into all ideal Lakes aIld rivers ot lhe country whenlhey are able lo defend thenseI ves against their enenies, - to provide local tanneries oith ras skilrs, and - to provide job opportulities for unernployedcitizels. At the early stage of the crocodile tarning operation, lack of experllse and farning tacilities had sone devastating consequences, But, at pregent, rnanageriale{periendes and adjustnents madefor all the crocodile requirenenls have resu]ted in running a succesgiul crocodile f arning operatiot!. 2. obiective of the study The objective of this l.ork is to establish a cost-efficient rnethodot acquiringbetter hatchl.ingstock for the:arm, 3, The nethods used i.n obtaini.lo hatchlinq stock 3.1 Eiq collection 6 artificial incubation The crocodile fanning operation iD Arba [inch conmenced with the collecti.on of crocodile eggs fron the shores of L. Abaya and L. Chamo for the first t'|o years. As stated by Bolton (1984),in the first hatchi.ng operation, in 1985, crocodile eggs collected from the {ild were incubated in styrofoam boxes balf-filled Hith moisteled sand. Durilg this lime there r.as no electricity in lhe vlci.nity, and the source ot heat was charcoal . By usj.ng trro locally nade burners, charcoal ras constaltly burned day and uight lo iaise lhe hatchery air tenperature, whrch in lurn heated the iDcubatio[ nedia and helped to rnaintain lhe temperature betlreen 28 - 34'C, the requlred tenperature raDge neotioned by pooley (19?1) as cited by Bolton, l9SL Tro burners Fere engagedat a time in order to keep the lenperature always above 28'C and one bur[er Fas used then the lehperature tfas about !o eiceed 34'C. numrdification was achieved by oetting the iloor of the hatchery and sprinkling waler over each box once a dat at nj.d-day. In the second hatching operation, in 1986, the method practi.ced as alnost lhe sane as tbe Iast method. The di.fferences noted thrs time nere that a large Dunber of eggs were collected (Annex 2) and the heating l{as facj.litated by electricity. 6ir bulbs (250 l,talts each), 3 ir oDe ror and the other 3 on the opposite rovr of the cei.ling, were installed in the hatchery. Bolh rors had independeot snitches tor regulating the temperature betreen 28 and 34'C. l{helr the temperature of the hatchery !|as about to drop belor 28'c, both lows oi bulbs wele switched on, and sheD the tenperature l{as about to e*ceed 34'C onty orte ror nas sritched oD. Humidificatiol tfas done in the sane nanner ag stated above, tryinq to keep the hurnidity above 958. 3.2 collection of hatchlinos after naLural eneroence This method has been practiced fron 1987 to date using the followjng procedures, Pre-idedtj.fied conmunalnesting siles rere cleared of bushes and fi.sherneo one nonth ahead o! the egg-laying season so as to attract molhe! crocodiles to the sile. The nalure of the major cot lunal sites xas sandy, and sonetimes fine volcanic ash on tbe island, During the tine of egg searchi[g, nests easily identified by 174 direct visual observalion were tnarkedxith a piece ol stick each. The rest of the site !{as then thorouqhly searched by using a spade to careiulll movesand lron one end until the whole confiunal nestinq area had been gearched. t{henevera nest nith crocodile eggsras encounLereda stick narker lras then placed in the middle ot the nest so as to easily kno{ the num.ber and location of Destsidentified. Finally in eachcomnunal site, all nests identj.fied and marked{ere coveredby pili!.lq stones over rnen so as to protect the trests fron predation. The sane procedure oas repeated every ten dals j.n all the nestj.trgsites until the number of nests i.deotified l'ere found to be enouqh to provide the anDual required hatchling quota. The Dest ratchnen llere assignedto all major sites untj.l the tine of hatchitrg, in order to protect nests fron predators and also lo listen to lhe hatchlinqs' calls and to unearln the eggs tor hatching, lfests eere controlled and protected fron predators fron a Iocalll made[atch tofler and sonetineg from a renr. Listening for the hatchliags' calls as carried oul at dusk a,rd daFn in early l{arch. lhe nests lere usually openedtro days afler. lhe firsL call l|as heard, to avoid prenature hatching. Self-energedaDd assisted hatchlings nere then collected soon alter hatching and kept !n open styrofoamboxes (40x50crns ) under shadeuntil they llere transported to the tam. l{ost of lhe comrunalnesting siles rere accessible by road nhile quite a felt ltere accessedby boat. At the tine of hatching, halchlings. kept in vetltllaled styrofoamboxes were transporled da].ly bI a Toyota pick-up from all nesti.ngareas to the farm Dursery xhere they werealloHed to stay for ?2 hours. Thetursery eras heated {ith six bulbs (250 Fatts each) maintaining a naxinumternperalure of 34'C. Afler 72 hours, hatchlings l,ere taken t!om the nursery to the hatchling po[ds Bhere they spelt one full year. 4. Results and discussion As sholrn iD ADIlex2, results obtained suggesl lhat the latter method itas iound to be a cosf-efficieDt nethod of obtaini.ngbetter crocodile slock, Unlike the hatchlings energedby artifj.cial incubation, most of the tti.ld-batched halchlj.[qs were found to be nuch stronger, heavi.er aDd healthier tith a better chance of survival . In the course of this study the outcones obtained ot artificial incubatio! t|ere not attractive as coinparedto the nethod of collection of naturally-hatched hatchlings froh protected nests in the t,l1id. In fact, the petcent hatching success obtained was satisfactory, but energed hatchlilgs $ere iound to be reaker ith poor survival condi!ion possibly due to incubation temperature aDd humidity fluctuations brought about by poor incubation facrlities. In general artificial incubation practiced in the first two years of crocodile hatching operations were cunbersomeand required close day and nighL supervision for the regulation of incubation media tenperalure and huttridity besides elevali.ng the cost of heating. The procedure of egq haDdliltg and arrangemen! in incubation boxes, necessity oi co]lecting eggs out of dilect sunliqht, and transportalion over lhe rouqh roads were also other challenqing tasks lhat forced the farm to abandon the method and devise another method. llence, frotn 1987 to date, hatchlinqs n5 have been collected and lransported lo the farm from protected nests, aDd no major problen has been encountered since this method was adopted. 5. Conclusi.on crocodiles of Lake Abaya aDd Lake chano nostly use comton nestiDg grounds ald they have lhe habit o! visiting lhe sameslte every year wilhout abandoninq it, thj.s makes the annual egg searching and protection actj.vity so trfich easier and bolh jobs are covered by a fet Iabourers. As a resull, in Arba MiDch Crocodile Farm, the nethod of collection of natura I I l'-hat ched hatchlings from protected nests i.n the lfild has been adopted as the nost reliable cost-efficie4t method of acquiring healthy hatchlj.rg slock. In so dorrg, it j.s believed lhal lhere rill be no detrimental effeet on the populatj.on of rild crocodiles so Long as a reasonable percentage of youDg crocodiles are annually restocked. AckI!orll edqmer|ts I would like lo express ml' grateful appreciation to tbe Ethiopian Ilildlife Conservati.onorganisation advi.sor, Dr. J.c. liillman, lor n1s e[couragement and illvalllable suggestj.oDsfor the improvenelL of this nanuEcrlpt. Relerer!ces Boltolt, M. (1981), crocodile husbandryin PapuaNew cuilea. Field DocutnentF0:DP/PNe/1 4/029, Foodand Agriculture Organisalion ol the United alion, Rome.103pp. Boltor!, U. (f983), A consultancyReport on the assistance to crocodile Managene.tt,gthiopia. F0:TcP/ETg/2307.Food and Agriculture organisalion of lhe Ulited Nations, Rone. 23 pp, Bolton, U. (I984). A consultancyReport on the Assis'-ilncelo arocodile Managenent,Ethiopia. F0:TcP/ETg/4405.Food and Agriculture Organisation o! the United flatiolls, Rome. ]5 pp. Eutton, J.lr, (1989).Crocodile and ostrj.ch llanagenelt in Ethiopla. Consultant's Reporlto WWF- International and nWCo,Bddis Ababa.68 pp. Pooley, A.c. (I971) cited by Bolton, U. (I981). TadesseHai1u. (f989) . A progressive report on realj.ng rte.ri !on ci Nile Crocodile (C. niloticus) in Arba Minch Crocodile Farm, Ellco, Addls Ababa;mineo report (Unpublished). 176 ol i i qt I Et >l Eai tn Allnex 3, chart comparind the tt,o rnethodsol obtai.linq crocodile halchlino stock practlced i.Il Arba Minch Crocodi.le Farm I. Egq collection and Artrficral incubatlon Advantages: . llo predatio[ risk. . Very good percent hatching success. Disadvatrtages: . gigh cost of heating during indubation. . Incubation needscongtant supervlslon. . Iuconsisteacy of iDcubation tenperature and hunidity. . Problen of heat iD case of powerfailure. . Poor hatchling survival. . Requirenelt of various e)tpensiveequipnenl lor egg collectioo and iDcubation. Relatively highly paid skilled Iabourers for egg col lection, incubation alld supervisiott. Problen of egg transportation over rough roads. 2, Collecti.on of hatchlings after natural emergeDce, Advantages i . llo cost of heatj.ng. . Lor paid labourers for egg searching, protection & hatchling col l ecti on. . llo routine supervisio[. I Very good percett halching guccess. . Requires simple, cheap equiprnent. . Healtht halchling !|ith better survival corldition. Disadvantages: ' Lon predation riEk. 1?& lnlrl t. F1$r. JDelDa t!. t@tld otr t$. td'ab cYcodlt. F.rr O!cF) N + t L.lb.y. raba lllah a Clocodll. $X e*"tr-" lLrglral v€geta!1oDl / |.1!1f lypha Sanalbeacbes S@ll. bsaciel ,rd belts of '',/ !argl!.l. r€galatloi e. g. v\l o.l___l,ok . Eqrlad aL.al t!€oc Sourc6: l.Bollor 19at L79 THE AMERICAN ALLIGAToR: DoLI,ARS & SENSE (Renainj.ng Inconsistencies j.n the Industry) by DAVID B. HAIRE III Anerican Tanning & Leather co. 312 W. Solonon St. Griffin, cA 30223 In 1978 I graduated with a B.S. degree in zoology fron the Universj.ty of ceorgia, which gave lne an understanding of the anatony and physiology of la,ildlife along with an appreciation of the vj.tal role it plays j.n the ecology of this planet and its place in the hearts and ninds of rnan. Shorbly after that I obtained enplo)ment !,rith a conpany vrhich participated in the utili.zation of renewable wildlife resources. Since that tirne I have enjoyed the rewardj-ng and responsible experience that parallels both facets, which sone would define as stewardship. In the past 10 years f have observed nunerous inconsistenc j-es in the trade which I feel are vr'orth noting. Today f rrish to speak to you of the inconsistencies I see in a trade t hj-ch utilizes a species srhich fills a nost valuabl.e part. naintaining habitat and balance in nature along vrith giving us the nost exquisite of classical leathers; The Anerican All-igator. Just as every cook goes by different recipes j.t would seen the case with alligator fanning techniques, especiall"y as they pertain to nutrition. Through ny years as a ra!, skin buyer and grader and Later as a tanner, I have seen vary].ng degrees of hide qualitj.es anong the alligator skins frorl different areas and particularly frorn different fanns. The diverse nake-up of hide protein fron one farn to another has been extrerne in the same specj-es. I have handled groups of skj.ns that possessed excellent hide substance, skin that felt fuLl. and livel-y and exhibited a natural bornbe. In contrast I have handled skins whose substance was so poor they felt flaccid and 1j.fe1ess, serving as a poor nimic to their other counterparts. This disparity, in rny opinion, is due to the lack of a set of nutritional guj.delines to be follosTed wi-thin the association of alligator farrning. Along ra'i.th the increased dernand for alligator skins, a decrease in quality as j.t pertains to both r^'iLd and conmercially raised skins has arisen. wj.th the elinination of grading practices j-n taking vild skins fron trappers by buyers, the incentive to produce a prine hide was underroj.ned. There has been increased flaying danage during sk:nning along with increased putrefaction due to the presence of excess flesh and fat left on the hides before curing. with so much denand fanBs boosted production and farn populations grew, ho{ever there wasntt a corresponding increase i.n the nunber of rearing pens nor adequate addj.tion of equilibriun or stabilization ponds. This lack of expansion di.d not allou the aninals' netabolisn to adjust to a nor-mal rate i,.rhich is needed to produce a nore natural hide substance and skin proporlion and to elininate undue scarring, stress and scabbing alrong the anirnals. If not rernedj.ed soon, I predict the international grading of farmed gators will expand upvard to include of the gular area and downward pass the cloacal opening to include the upper half of the tail. Also one has to adnit that in farn and wild aLike the legs of the alligator stiLl are many tines skinned ilrproperly, linitinq the use of the laather fron the legs as it lends itself to finished goods. The knees and elbows should always be split to lay on either side rrith the useable snall grain portion to the center. A properly skinned leg vrill exhibit a black stripe on either side with a yellow one on center, Because of the incidence of red heat in the past and for the soner,Jhat extensive elbow grease employed in wet saLting raw all-igator skinsr it has become quite the norm to brine the skins. This nethod is good onLy if certain controls are net anal held relatively constant. Concentrations of saLt should equal 97* lrith bath tenperatures never exceeding g5 F. Also there should never be any addition of organics or inorganics rdhich nay lead to the decornpositj.on of the hide or the interference of subsequent soaking, beaning or tanning operations. In weak brine concentrations one can expeqt to experience skin degradation through the presence of proteolytic bacteria r^'hich wilI promote Ioose, flaccid and lifeless hides and the leather thereof. Bven in the case of saturated brj.nes (those with increased tenperatures and tj.rne) the hides wiLl becone stagnant and begin to house halophilic bacteria which exist j.n high salt concentrations. Like the proteolytic bacteria, halophilic bacteria can digest the hide substance lessening its strength and quality. Many trappers and fanners have addressed thj.s problen by the addition of a disinfectant to their brine in the fonn of bleach and sometines even fomaldehyde. It is posgible to d.o irreparable dalrage to skins as lhey lend thenselves to leather with the addition of these products. fn high concentrations, which are sonetilres needed to counteract the organics in a stagnant brine, bleach qan not on]y oxidize natural fats in the hide so that they are difficult to degrease during tanning/ which by the way can lead to uneven tanning and unlevel dyeinq, but it can, in fact, oxidize the skin, weakening it. givj-ng it a poor surface and ruining the texture of the grain. Addilj.on of formaldehyde to brine to nask pungent odors of rancid skins can actually pre-tan the skin, set the scale on and destroy the value of the hide. I have experienced both problens wilh brined hides and have spoken at length wj.th Dean t. Dinato, Leatber Specialist at Bucloanrs Laboratories, to secule a nicroorganisn control for both brine and dry salt systens used in preserving hj.des. This information acconpanies this paper. Any future infomation L'iI1 be obtainabte fron crocodile specialist Group, rrhon I !rj-11 keep updated. Another source of concern is producers of alligator skins have not been educated to the best location and technique for attaching the U.S. Fish & Wildlife CITES taq. This has been a cause of great frustration for tanners and exporters along irith Fish & wiLdlife in their efforts to naintai-n control. After discussions !{ith Dennis David of the Florida Departhent of Natural Resources, I suggested a taggrng procedure rarhich has since been utiLj.zed wj.thin the Florida AlLigator progran. The procedure is to place the tags medially in and out through the edges of the keeled botton of the tail approx_ inately 3-4 inches fron the end. Attached i.n thj.s location tlre tags seldon ever break, pull out or tear out during nornal handling and tanning procedures. AIso it is not at all difficult to place the tag in the skin at this location even if the carcass is intact. Although there is still a need to strenqthen the tags presentLy being used, this nethod would help elirninate broken seals and decrease unnecessary seizures of skins by U.S. Fish & f,tildtife due to broken Eags. Today the ra!, alli.gator business is riding a !a,ave. Because of high denand skins of even averaele or lesser qualities are bringing high prices. We must be apprised of the fact that not only are nore and nore j.nternational fann operatj.ons being established for the conuoersial harvest of classic crocodiLe skins, but in tine lre !ri1l- see better nanagenent and 1aw enforcenent becone nore intact in countries where it didnrt exist before, thus openj.ng up trade for indigenous crocodilian thereof vithin the guidelines of CTTES. And I predict tllat sone of \,Jhich will be naturally better quality skin as it lends itself to the classical leather and the product thereof. It is essential that all inconsi.stencies be elininated within the alligator trade. It nust be a clean business providing the narket with quality skins frorn a well nanaged and unj.fornl.y enforced natural resource. I can remenber not so long ago when high supply coupled with a high dollar sent alligator skin prices plunneting to $8 to 910. prices approaching those again would send the trappers to the hilts and the farTers to the rnercy of their creditors. We cannot be conpLacent i.n the lrealth of our nediocrity today, white hoping these conditions wonrt return. We each share a concern for the well-being and longevity of this resource and trade. So we should all strive to guarantee its fruitful existence by utilizing a shared directory arld knovledge in order to actrieve a connon goal of quality and responsibitity throughout the industry vrithout which we not only suffer j.n a financiaL sense, we vrill suffer much greater Losses. For lre have all witnessed the nighty b1ov, the fur industry has taken fron the psuedo-environnental ist by not bei-ng responsive to educating lhe general public v,/ith the true neaning of sterrardship toward al-l of our natural resources. Let us not fall under the sane denise but flourish lrith sound nanage- nent, techniques and qenuine concern for the industry. rrln the race for quality, there is no finish line.'l David T. Kearns 185 Upoateo Report an Al iigator Managemen! and Value-Adqed Congervati on rn !-locida Tonrny Hineg Rt, 3, Box 509 Nevbecry, Florida 32569 186 ,vnenan ar llgaiof researcn ano nanagnent progran v/a3 !n!!rareq rn lne tTud-ri7i9 py tne Fiocloa Gane ano !tesnwaler F!sn connrssron (GFC), it ras asSuned lcon lne oe€[nn1ng lnaE a suslalneo ilarvesE of a] iigatorg oi 3one nagnrtuoe \ras possroie, seconqiy, it \'as oei reved Ehar the connercral vaiue o! al i igaaors and athet cecognlzeo vaiueS ( i,e. ecotogtcal . e3tnestlc, cultufai, neeq not be nutuai iy exclusitve. dowever, ll \.las cteac tnat these two agsunptlong 'troul q be correc! oniy it narvest rates \rere oaseq upon lne oiorogrcar aor i ity o! ai i igaEor popuiatlons to 9u3!ain narvesa anq con!tnue to tunctron a9 a vitai part ot tne Sysl en. fo e3taDl i,sn anq rnaintain a narves! progratn oaseo upon ororogrqai con3lcrera!lons, an approach qr!iecent trom nos! paEt e!lor!s \ra9 necesgary. A revie$, of crocooi lian explor!atron, p!1o! to .t970, reveaied that harves! pre93u!e nad oeen oriven soiely oY econonic forces. !-uthernoce, no portlon o! lile protirg qe!tved lron Sucn harve3t3 vere relurneq io ahe nanagenenEancl conservation oi the Species. fhe pniiosopny ot 3ustaineo yield nanagernentthac rs incorpocalect !nro ai I United States aliigator nanagenenc Programs nas unoouoteoiy resulted fron Ehe broad wiioii!e nanagemencpnrlosopny inat nas oeen the basis ior rnucn oi iJn!ieq S!a!es vr iol rie conservatron. iiost t/i idi !re research anq nanagenena in tne ijnlred States has Deen olrected aowarcl popurar eramespec!e3 over Ene )as! 5u year3. Ao lrnpoc!an! locce oenrno tnese eilorts naS oeen strong spestai inleresE gaouPg wno ptaceo nrgn vatue on pacrlcuiac SpecreS or gro\rps or gpecles. uucn oi this vatue, particuiariy 1n rhe early qays ningeo upon tne prospect anat tne poiiiical actlon. !!nancral conrrlput!ons, ano voiuntafy taxation aovoca!eq by ineSe groups wourq lnsure lne conarnueo opporfunrty io narves! anese anrmalst tor sporr. Ihe continueo bunring opporlunrty lor a \rnoie nyrlad o! Specieg rn the unrteq rlares na3 resuileo in niliion€| o. qollars being put inEo 'eir iol r!e, and tnousano3 of professionat r.7i ioiife qon3efva!ronrs!3. rutnerrDore, tnIg iarge Inica-3Ecuclure or PfoiesstlonalS and speciai interegt groups playeO a vlrai role rn lne oroaqer envtroruneolai novenent ourrng tne ias! ;v years. i! was agalng( thlg oackgrounq tnac tne pcegenE apProacn to ai i rgator Ianagemenc wd.soeveiopeq rn Fioriqa. Ine roea tnat tne user pay a large pact of lhe bill ioc consetva!ton was nothlng nev. vaiue-aqqeq conServa!lon naq iargely ouii! lriiol iie conservation in lne Unired SEales. in splte of oovious siniiaritieg oe(veen ailietatorg anq nany lraoiEiooal game specieg it va9 algo cecognlzeq lhar lnere were Sone stiqnlircant ditlerenceg. No iarge gcoLlp or ocaranazectu3er3, cleoicated to crocodii ian coosecvacion exls!eo. Jrue, lnere uas a gnatl group oeorca!eo !o rsl crocool | 1an congervarion, and wnen aiilgatorS $rere reputed ro De enoangereo lne errvrfonmentai comltunlf,yrai lied to inelr Svppor!. But, wnen rr becdme cleaE tha! aljigarors rere noE enqangerect,nuch oi the gupporE lrom tne latter group supslcleo. (;onvergeiy, there were nunoreqs oi peopie rn iiorrca (nunters, niqe buyelg, tafners, eEc.) vnoge mo!lves rangeq, !!on pure nonelaly proiil, to a nlx or tne p!o!rt noErve ano sttong cutturai iies to lne aii igator. EUl, tney were not organizeo and cerlainly o.id noc speak vrtn one voice. Anotner irnportant difierence wag tna! we were oeal tng vrth an economicaily valuabie specie3, vntqn nad tne potential to generate consideraDle proti! iof rnoivrduals. Futherrnore, it r,raEassuned econonic acrtvrty \rourd probably be sutticient to attract outs!oe capiEai for lnvesEnent in sone pnases of the aiiigator lndustry, Ciearly, lne posgtoi i iay ai\rays exigteo, and srl I i exrs.s ror narve3t !o oe oflven by rhe ques( for gnorE-tern pro!rrs. racner tnan a ototoglcaiiy Souno approacn. Congequently, an lnlra-struclure, !o insure !ha! true susralneq yreio nanagement De cont!nuai ly tnpiernenteo, r.ras nece33ary. fne lqea oi econonic ieeoback regulting fron al r rgar.or ndrvesa (vaiue-aooect conservatton) nas expanoeo 3lnce it waS SCrlculatecl rn sone of the early GFc alilgator nanagenenE Plans. I propose tnat tne feedDacK has the potenEral o! occurlng ln three Separate areas. Ihe econornlc value i3 nost oDvroug and tne one \rnlcn nas been olscusSed mogt, fleo very closety i9 the politlcai voice whicn has developeo a9 a resul! ot tne vegteo intere3E oi peopie srrpporrrngl susralneo al i rgator expioitation. Third, i9 Ene groetn oi lne proie9gtonat cacre \rnoSe maJor purpose t3 lne prolec!lon ano nanagenent of ai i igaiors. ine ooJectrve oi this paper ls to examine lnoEe cncee aceaS ano discuss the validity of Daslng a pubiic crocod! i ran conservatlon progralll upon the phi losopnrcat lenet cnat. connerciai exploltation can be a positive iocce !or lnetc con9ecvation and managemen!. Current Al ligator Managenen! iriorrda's alligator nanagenent prograrn inqiuqes (t) tne oarvesr oi four foot ano larger ai I igators f.on puolic qTalets, (2, Ehe col iec!ron oi natchl rngs iron puoi tc walers, (.;) tne col iection oi eggs iron puol!c waterg anq ({) sne narvegl or lour !ee! anq iargec ai i lgalors ano Ene col ieccion o! haccni ings ano eggs irom paivate ianos. In aoorllon cne Gajneano FresnwaEer Frsh Cornrni39r on (G!C) al i o$r9narves! oi nuisance ai I igators ano re$/lates alireraior rarmlng wnrcn beneiits !!on nany ot tne prevtousl.l men!!onect pcograhs. Pcior !o tne present expancteopragra8 inere tras an expecigtenEai egg anq haEchltng renoval proJec!. an expeclnental aqult harvesa ano an ailigaaor nurgance pro.reci . 1E6 iconomrc !-eeooacK Beioce an expandeq harvest was pefnrtted in Florida, a syscem or I rcense ano rees was e3tablished, The oD,tectrve ras to generale revenue to go to the GFC to offser tne cost cr al r rgato! regeaccn ancl nanagenent. There lras sone levei ot laxatlon praceo upon every aspec! ot al lisator expiottatto'l. fhe levenue generaced by tne eari ier experrnentai prograns nill be enunerateo later, But the amounao! noney naoe avar tabte to the state by tne eKpanded narves! versus GFC expendicures during the sarneperiod i3 probaD |y one oi the tBore inportant conpari3ons. During the arr,oyearg oi lne expanded progran (1988 and 1989) a harvest o! ,r,;{s ano J.udl , !our ioot and larger antnais ano, 4,302 anq ;.68; eggE was acnieveo on pubiic ianqs, On private ialrqg qucrng tne same period rhere were t80 and 577 iour ioor anlmai3 laKen in 1988 and 1989, respectively. There lrere also l6E and !,165 eggs taKen from these same lanqs. (evenuee Eotaied f.i84,005.00 for 1988 and $392,485.00 for j,v8t (GiU recorqs). fhe Eotal expendiEure oB aegearcn ancl nanagemenE,py the GFC, ourins thig tr'o year perioo lras $vId,U00.0O (Gl'C records) (EaDle l,). !'or Che lt88 and i989 perioo revenues generated by the program have oiiset 84? of lhe cesearcn anq nanagenenEcogts within Ehe agency, Fron 1978 through 1987 nooey has also been returneo to tne GFCvra rhe percentage charged nuisance tlappers on eaqn sKrn they narKeteo. ThiS harvegt has q'one fron 1,87i to 4,{6+ rn }t8t, (rabie 2) (Jennings I989). This nas generareq .evenue ot approximareiy 9r25,000.00 to 9300,000,00 per yea!. !utnerrnore, oa3eo on ear'ty evaluatlonst 0t tne pcogratn tne agency saved approxinately 9100,000.00 per yeac oy ai lowlng prrvate trappers ratnec than vr iqi ife otiicers !o leKe c5.e oi nuisance proDlens (Hines ano'Woodward1t80). 5rnce 198I aiiigator tarrner3 in Floriqa interested in .ecelving' natcnl lngs iron rhe wi ld, ag wel I a9, conrriputlng ',o an unoerstanolng oi Ine eiiects oi ear'ly age siass explolrairon nave iunded a cooperative GFc/unlverslay oi irorroa stuqy. lne naJor oDJectrve nas been !o qerermine ine rnpact o! nalcni ing ano egg aemoval upon lhe qynamica oi ai rrgaro! popuiations. Tnis nas oeen carriect out py acEuariy renovlng natcnllngs or eggs and attenpting !o neasure .ne !npact (JenDrII99 et.al I988). Fcon 198], tnrougn f iat !arners nave receiveo approxina!eiy 32,000 ha!qnlings !ron the pcogcan ano, in relurn ior lhoSe, lney nave conlarDuteo $513,593.00 back to the ae3eaach (pers. cottun. rercrvai). in essence, the farners nave paic.the unlverslry o! iloaroa !o conduct the research tnat 6FC uses co reguiale cnerr ilarvesEs, Otner monres have oeen ctonatectto cne Univers!ty of !-rarlqa s Scnooi ot Veterrnary Vledlsine (SVM) for studies conce.nrng ai iigaroa nusbandry techniqueg. While lhis money vas Iroi. oraec!iy generated by any type of $rilo harvest ia is unliKely tnat rhe noney r,rould have oeen availaDie nao i! not oeen lor tne 3tater.rlde managenent progratn vnicn nade eggs 189 inq nalcni!ngs avaiia!ie to the farmers. Eiahea by qirect jrgator 9rcanrs lfom al tatmeaS or. taorn oEner enricle= ine 3vi,1 nds !ron ry79 unEii lhe presenr received $r26.000.00 (uacoel lnae pecS. collm.). 'tas r! tn lng area o! private ianqs nanangemen!wnere earry on Mras tnougn! tnaE dll igator manangenentnrght n6ve clirect inrpac! upon lano nanagement decigiong (Jennings !'di). I'lany tano nanagelE, particulariy ranchers, regarq rne al l tgator a9 a nuisance wnich nay cause econonic losg lnrouern qepredatron of i ivesttock. Al i igators occupy wetlanos that sonet i|Iles are congidered vaiuable grazlng ]and ano rn otne! cases nay oe more valuable it drained. Tirnber conpanles ovn large tracts !n Florioa, rrhlcn may oe 25? to 35,6r./erianos. Tnese wetlands are of iittie dir;ct value to ine qonpanies excepr for wi ldl lfe ieasgs, which are curcently valueo at st.50 to t4.00 per acre. Durlng 1989 rhere were 21 participanrs (Jennlngs 1.9g9.) r nvoI ved rn tne Prrvale and al I igator pcogram at sone ievej (lable.;). I was dlrect y involved with three lanoovners \rno wanlecl to manage ail gators to tncrease revenues on nargrnat lanct. There ig a wicte array of lanoovner ataituoe€t ano al lrgato! habitat gualiry statewide, buE I have erecEecr ro present oata lron these three, whiqh nay glve sorne preirmrnary lnsight into the econornic potentiai oi al r lgalors on private iands, lract *l ts a part of a ranch, ioqateo in norln central !'ior.ida. tnat i3 devoted to cattle ano timber. one portion or tnls area conlarneq a 1,585 acre nafsn, \rhlcn was crassrtteq a3 aDove average aliigator haolrat. The e.nrire area nao. a! one !ine, oeen very gooo alligaloc nao!!a! ano \tas nore tnan tvice tne slze oi the present rnargn. In excegs or 2,000 acres nad pceviougly been qralneo ro provlde car!le grazlng. Thls area nanaged t'or ailigators con!aineo l:.t acres ot qanai, 70 acres of shaliow iaKes, L239 aqres ot pecmanent mar3h ano 253.5 acres oi internitlent narsn. uue !o orler tnan nornai conditrons in 1989 rnucn ot rna! \rag conslqereo pernanent nalSn alsa drled up. Nightl ight survey oala suDmrtled to the GFC cesulted ln 42 harvest tags oelng lssueo lor lour ieet ano larger anlmais or one lag pec 3i acres. in addirlon, hatchl ing surveys la!er in tne yea, resulteo in a narve3! quota of B0 hatchl ings. There were thtee typeg of harvests on thts paoperly. There vere rrve lropny animai9 taKen du!lng the spring, ano thirty-seven iour foot anniais and 80 hatchiings taken during lne lat I navesr pecioo. Because the ianoovner carrieq out cne iaii nacve3i. ne recervecl a greate! snate oi cne !o!ai pcoceeoE rnan lne ownecs of fcact *2 and Tract *3. Hovevec, in orqea lo conpaae tnrs propeFly \ritn lhe otnersr ve t'lil presen! lne economrq oala in lne game manne! as lract *2 anq lract Iotai net revenlre (aiter tags ano I icense) ior Trac! t1 vag 9r7,+7,r.u0. ceguiring in a !orai ne! income (oeiore nuntrng cosls) o! 9!1.0: per acre. ilowever, unoer Ene sajle 190 gcenacro as Tracts *2 ano *3, the landolrnec,3 Snare i.rouI d oe s4.{U per acre (taple 4). frac! *: was a 36,000 acre property nanagectas a conner!cal loregt, vhele the naJor i ncorne is derived from :ne sale o! irooo pcoouc!3- Hun!lng leases provroe approxrnateiy s3.00 per acre, The general haDlta! !ype ls lyprcai l\orth Fiorioa lia(vooos. There vere 9,.i,r8 acres ot ererranqs qei iniaEed oi nhich Il.3 acres wele oorrow pi!3, j.:8r acres oi sirai ioir iakeE, 452 acreg oi geasonaily !ioooeq grass ponqs, 5,919 acres oi cypregs ponds anc! 734 acres o! pelmanent narSh. Al i ign!o. habitat va5 ciasslfleo a3 average. NlSntiigilt sucvey3 subrnltted to the GFC reeulted ln a quola ot 82 lags for aninals four feet and largec or one lag pec 114 acreg. Hatchlins surveys vece litniteo our genera.ecr a quota oi 80 hatchlings. O! tne 82 animaig nacvegted, ihree crere taken by rrophy oun!,ers. Al i remainrng taets irers ii I i9d duriog tne genecai connerlcat narvest, The total incone after processing, valioaEron, and saie co3t3 on tne iour ieet and larger anl]nalg \ras $27,003,44 or $329.31 per a1l lgator, in aoqt!loo, $E00,uu, aiter tag fee3, wag oerlved frolt narcnlinEs ior a rotal net revenue of $27,803.44 or $2,9? Per aqre. Ine ianoowner ghare was $1..21 per acre (tabie 4). Tcaqt *.i \rag also cornnerclai t irnben land and contained apploxlnarery 18,000 acres of t nicn 5,028.5 acres vrere crassifieq as average all igator haoitat, The general naDr.rat rypes inciudeo North Fiorlda flatvooas, lonsieaf plne, rurKey oaK, sanqhi i ls and strea|/l bottomg. wetiand cypes rncludeo appcoxrmateiy 580 acres of shalioir iakeS. 200 acres of seasonaity iiooded pondg, 2,894 acres ot cypcegs oones aoo Sr,rampg,550 acleg oi pernanenE mafgn, and 280 acres oi I nterrni ttent narsh. 'Ine toral narvegt flon the area inciuoed 42 anirnals, iour leet anq apgve, with a net value aftec pcocesging, var loarron ano 9ale3 cosa oi $I1,430.94 ior a per aninal 'rarue o! sZ72,oij. in aOdition 80 harchiings were col leclecl, wnlcn pu! rotai net revenue generateo at 913.030.94 oc e2.59 pec acre, ihe i anoowner share was 91.04 per acre (taole 4). fne DeE cevenue to ane lanclovner !s vactapie, oepenqing upon lne quai i!y oi hapitat, ano tne lype or economic arrangement. unoer the circumstances, qescriDed here, lhe landowners' snare vaS tI .21 , t1 .04 and s4.40 pe! acre, respectlvel'y. The contractuai aarangernentsvere eitner rne Sallle, oc presenleo as lhe same, so cllflerenceS in revenue ls relaleo oniy Eq tne nagni tucle ot tde !oEai harvest on rire res9ecl ! ve areag. A srnurateo yield resultiog irom voocl prooucrs narvesteo iron iands gurroundinet the wetlanqs managecltoa ai i igalor3, provioes a perspective on the aeiaiive valLle of lne lvo cegources. A tolai neE casn f,iov was caiculaleo uar I rzrng a progaarn(yieict-plu5) vhlch i5 aou!inely used ln naKrng toceEt nanagement oescisiong A site index ol 50, r,rltn 700 stens/ acre harvested at 25 years was agsurned for a lyprcai Nqrth Flarloa fiaqwoods 3ite. Slte pceparailon 191 cosl, annual managenent cost, including prescrlbed bu.ntng, ano hatvest expenses vere dectuctecl fron gross revenues. Pulpvooo and chlpping saw pcices ('ere entered at s13,50,/ton. Vaiueg \rere unadJusted for infiation. Total net cash flow Deroce taxes aas calculated to be 3702.60 or S28.10 per acre Per year. The other important miDor incone on tirnber cornpnay ianqs is hunting leases, ehich range fron 31 .SO to $4.00 per acre per year. l! appearg that al I igator harvest may oe aDie to qouDie the amount of i ncorne that cornpani es are ceceiving from their wetland acres, by adding to the hunting i ease revenueE. trainage of narEinal land to gro!, t irnber in Flo.rqa te not lne igsue on tinber land it once lras in Florida. The na.Jor lnreat rnay uitimately De developnent. Even though ! irnber companieEhave large lnvestments in roills, requtrrng a continuous supply of timber, the value of their tirnbe.iand tlay increage to the point r,rhere it oecomega betrer econoniq oeci9ion to geil or develop the property. in vie!, ot this rmpendrng di I erorna, iocal t itrber conpany managerg lrelcome aodrtiooal sources ol revenue fron land vhich, in many cases, is onty generating an internal rate of return of 5?. Unqer choge circumEtances, additianal reveque of 9l.OO to $4.00 pec acre on 25k of thei. land may be significant. Political Actio.t Prior to the lnitiation of the pregent progratn, rnere was I ittle organized pol itical support for aliigators except during the eaFly days of the Endangered Specieg Act. At that tine al l lgatorg vere one of the rnost vlsible endangered gpecies anct there vas strong politlcal pressure opposed to any cnange of status. This vas the case i.n epite of no clear evidence that al ligatorg r,rere endangered and tha( there vag congiderable evictence to the contrary. Afier rne status of ai i igato.s was changed the political action of proteqrionis! groups dlrninished. In their place at reasE tnree najor u3er gaoups have evoived, There are two faaners qroups and one trapper eroup, aii of vhich are potitically ac!ive. These groups gbviougly are guided by self-lnteregt, bu( protess interest in sustainlng wiid harvest oi al r igalors, This interegt provideg a conmon grouncl upon ernrch the professional vi ldl ife dlanager atd the pol icrcat ac!lon groups qan work. The pol itical action groups have provroecl tne irnpetus foc leglslative action, res!s!ed unfair ano neediess bureaucratlc ruleS ancl acted as a gatchoog. iloirever, it is the combination of the Eelf-intefest groups anq the proiegsional wildlife nanager that provides best agsuralce of a gouDd progran. Pcoressionailsn in 1975 vhen the al I igator iras officially consioered endangerect, the GFc, whiqh has prinary nanagenent lEZ restpong!oiiity fo!'all resident wi.ldl ife, hacl lesa than one_ nali nanyear qevored to al I igator Fesearqh. Today, the GFc ^a3 I !/2 nanyears oevoted to full tine cesearch and nine nan years oevotecl to nanagement. An e3tirnated two manyears oi privare, pcofesgional biologiEt time is comnitted !o al i i9a!ors oR privare landg. Also, this progralrl has, lnrough 1989, put 189,000 additional acFes unclec an annual tironitoring scherne(JenninSg 1999). In addition, there are vlabie all igator research prograrns at UF in the USFI{SCoop. i.jnir, zoology and the SVM. One measuae of the eff,ects of tnig cor[nitnent is research results trhich are the necessa.y conponent3 of gound manangeneot programs. somet imes pupiication of cesults lag behind and nanagenent pcograns ace rnlliated oefore research is pubiished and guDJecleo !o peer !evie\r. Ho!,evgr, nunbers of publications are a neans of neagurrng i ncreaEect level of knolrledge. prlor to 1g75 the.e nad been chree scientlfic publications generated by GFC personnei. Since 1975, which nas the beginning of the present program, there have been 28 sclentific publications Procuseo oy Grc Persdnne I . So, today in Florida, with the alligator being legal ly exPloited there appearg to be a profegsional cadre clevo(ed to aliigator nanangement anct lesearqh that is at leaEE ren to tr.relve tirneg greater than when the alligator lrag oifiqial iy endangered. A convincing argument can be macte that the codmitment of these professionals offerg real consecvat i on benei i t. 193 Sunnaay Since 1977, and lhe beginning of attenpts by the GFC to ac!1vety nanage ail igato.g, there has been app.oiimarety $2,000,000.00 seneca!ed by harvest and ;;au;;;;-lo'ln. lor crc al rtgaloc managementand research. The irnpact of that narvest appeaca to have been nininal (Wooderardpers. codm.r. There has oeen adctitlonal naney, either directli or sene.aled by the haFvest programs totalins .ozc.uuu.uu.l.ll].illlI: most of this money has been directed to lne tjnivecaity of Florida to suppoct graduate regearch. .The.level of Knonledge has increased or".iii..f iv ." . .esult of the UF regearch and vork carrled out within taFC.. rne Ig adoition to published inforrnation, tn. e";ii.r ievel of knowledge ancl conqern about al i igatocs ias rncreased with the addition of cEc biologists in every cegion of the state. These professionati, private afong viin and ingtltutional bioiogigts, nrakeup .-""o". ot ccocoq.iiian biologistE exqeeding the nurnberlnvolveo rn cne nanagenent of any other game or non_ga.nespecies in Florida. The infra-gtrueture rnadeup of special (userg inte.est g.oupg ancl non-users) and profeEsional vildl Ife por,rerf nanagers i9 a u I force in iri Idt ife congervation. There is reason to bel ieve that such an arrangement is presently provlding proper ior the pcotection and rnanagernenlot aitigitors in a'ior i da. The long term prospects for roany forrns of r'ildlife, rnciuding al ligators in Flgrida, as wel I as, throughout lne vorid, is tied to the pregence of irideEpcead qual iiy hapitat. In Florida, even though we trave seveiit rnit r ion acres of ai ligator habitat, there has been significan!-h loEees anct rDany thoueands of acres of the r ern;i n i ; s i t t nas Deen severety degraded. In the Uniled States r'e nave"o " oeen able to spend large gurnsoi money getting aside areag eoiely for r,rlidl ife. But we vl I I hav; fai led as professional ecoigglstg and laod nanagerg if \re do nor gurde conservation eiforts toHard a more inclusive concept lnan slmply setting aside refuges or nuseum pieceg. The reai cnallenge is to devlse progFa.nswhich \rlll encou.age the practtce of a land ethic on the r'hole lanO organisrn. There is no reasoo to believe that the eiploilation of a viidlife resource nust diminish that species; ecologrcal value. In fact, I bel ieve that under a sounclmanagement regine ire can uEe the legouEce, and if the prograrn is p.operly deviseo, provide added insurance against over-exploltation and perhaps, ln some circunstances, provioe adoed protection to habitat. 194 Ll terature cl ted ilrnee, T.C. ano A,R. Woodlrard. I980, Nulsance al I igaror control in Florida. lri ldl . Soc. Bul I . 8r234-241. Jennrnge, iY,L, H.F, Perclval and A,R. Woooward, 1988, Evaluatron oi alligator hatchling and egg renovai fron three r-iorloa iaKes. Proc, annu. con!. Southeast Assoc. Flsh and tJil dl r!e Agenqies, 42:000-000. Jennings, rY.L, 1989. Florlda's al ligator nanag'enent progran. l'lernograph Report., Fi. Game and Fceshwater Fl3h uonn, 195 Table 1. Game and Freshwater Fish commission Revenues received ve!sus those expended for 1988 and 1989. REVENUESRECEIVED REVENUXSEXPENDED ACTIVITY FY 88-89 FY 89-90 FY 87-88 FY 88-89 ALLIGATOR $384,005 $393,485 $297,000 $445,000 I4ANAGEMENT ALLlGATOR 90,000 86,000 RESEARCII 196 Table 2. Sunnary of Florida's Ituisance alligator harvest from 1978 to 1988. Al l igators compla ints Perni.ts All igators l{arvested/ Yea! Received f ssued 1ssued Harvested Compla int 1978 4,9L4 2,346 3 ,124 1,871 0.38 t979 4,639 2,486 3,32r | ,619 0. 36 1980 4,024 2,856 1,590 0 .40 1981 2 ,622 3,3t8 1,871 0.38 1982 6,t24 3,209 3,826 1983 3 ,003 1,87r 0.31 1984 7 ,289 3,536 4,272 2 ,201 0.30 1985 6,432 6 , 1874 6,La1 o .47 1986 6,0r8 5,4584 5 ,45A 3 ,O49 0.51 1987 1 ,244 6 , 6184 6,618 0.53 1988 10,305 7 ,97A4 7 ,9-7A 4,464 0.43 aBegiDning in 1985, only one tag vras issued per pernit. taken f loth Jennings , 1989. Table J. Resutts of the private lands all j_grato! managenent progran, 1988 and 1989. 1988 1989 Nunber of part ic i pants 7 2r Wetland acres in plogram 73,000 159,000 Egg quota 2,O50 Egg harvest Hatchling quota 80 160 HatchLing harvest 80 160 4 foot quota 699 4 foot harvest 180 taken flon Jenni.ngs, 1989 19E o o o 3C{O oood € o c\l F- Or oolr) o) iN oqc{ Fld 0, o) Sano o t-o Y(D f- t' oE0, o oc.r o .ao .^ o o €o oo . oe{ @- o Oo o! + > r @ o<| ur r! o rl) @v OE u1 o.N oul o 4' O v- 6or oc.l l-'@ rf) l- o) oo -v \t c.l p. r.a o > o c.r r0) oc) Q ^ oc.| o) oco> nr ,E o o o >l!Er !5 E ; a, o rDo Bl! ior|r) o po o oE o \t: O.{ o l!l ,N d ++.lF 19 BREEI'ING CROCODILFSIN ZOOIOGICAL GARDENSOUTSDE THE SPECTESRANGE. WTTg SOME DATA ON TIIE CENEML SITUATTONIN ETTROPEANZOOS. 1989 ReraE" Ilon ggcr .trd R. Iloward H[ Ztdch, $rl&..1s!4 &d Atta r, Clorgh INTROI'UCTloN _ _ KceprTgcrocodilcs in captivityhar a lodg traditioo and rhc majority of thc traditioral zoologicalgardens ia thc OId and tic Ncw Woilds equaly kcpt crocodles'iD thei. collectio!" :clcsc (1962), fo. -eegplc, ofiers mary anecdotoson thc acquisitioDof ctocodiliaar by tte SctoobuDn-zoo i! VicDlr, osc ofttc oldestzoos" Mori'&6 yaried berwec! dkplayilg odo;ticr .o*r.-Tiri"" -ot :Ees:ca!cls.' Duitrg the diEar of systcEaticzoolog,, a coibJion of livc clocodl|uDspta,€d a! iEpor(alt role io thc educatio! of our forcfathers. later i! 'pathological thc f,istoryof zoologicalgrrdcls, atr aloost urgc to posscrsas maay as possiblcof thc dcadibcd spccj6'guided t[c acqrdsirioooftcrjust to imFes.sothcr6 wo.kiDg in t[c 6eld As a lesult, duriDg tho6opast tirncs bc€ding socccsswa! a vcry ratc ci/cDt. Thcrc c/€rc few cdo6u.es nhcre rcproductioncould hale talco place thc oualitv of spacgth€ tharoal eNirorEe ard tie 10dicts did do! Ee€t the requircEe!6. - . Dudry thc past 30 'rars, thc dcDisl anitudr of the najority of tf,oce rcipotrsible for pair linidg rcptilc c*itia scrtls to havEchang.d. To a ccrtain exint, this devclopuen nay haw bcetr higgercd-ofr hy onc of thc .ccoD_Ecodation6dadc at tic fts ncct_iagof thi ruCN/SSC Crocodile Spccirlist croup ia 1q1" which suggastedthat zoos should aim at ntirr,ining onc splcics group h a unit suitablc for brceding ratler than iadividualsof several sFcics. If wasalso propoGcd tiat a dcfisitc co-ordinatedpla! bc c,orkedout to briry logetheras Eary of tlcsr sFrinrDs aspocsruc for b(ccdiag. Tlcsc rccomncndationsvrcrc alsoacc€Dtcd as rqsolutio! at tf,e AAZAPA Ecctirg ol the samcyear. UDforturately,IUDZC did rct rea.aotr rhc conEcrdatioD6of the CrocodilcGroup. toot placc itr many Unitcd Statcs and a few EuropcatriEtitutiotrs. Several grorp6 lrce9ilg c/crc cstabli6lcdh exchargingturplls spccineo" aadpl,ong tbem on brccding Loaaia suifablcolacar. W€ l; j.'dgc difercrtly r ardbg tic rclation of spaccver$s the size of the aniraal Our-ulderstandingof cnvirormentalfactorq suchof the as tight ard teEpcraturehas growo ald bst but lot least ttosc who walt to betrcfit froo the numerousstudics on free-livinc-(f,ocodiles triggcrcdby thc rcw aldodt classicpublication by Cotr (1961)easily 6!d idormarioo. Io Zoologic.l GadcDs outsidctie Tropicsand Subtropicn spacc for docodilcs k limited to thc aydilabilityof hcatcdrooBs" ModerEdcsigD tates advaatageol a more biologicalserse for thc.cavirordclt It scaDs,that tlc &ys whcn crocodileswcrc Gpt in sanitary-cleiapools, tiled ald sterilg arc oi€r. SuchenvirodoeDts wordd today be likcly to be criticizcdLy the potl" ne rolc of thc public is no lolgcr tiat of a passiveortrooLcr who cohcs to the zoo,uocducate4 just to spcnda few hoursofrccrcation It is cbanginguorc andmorc asit is bettcr irformed ofbioloeicd colledioDs aod e.ologicalfactr. Ttis educatioqdrawtr frors the evcr Drcse mediar(esoeJa.Iv by utural history6tE!), a beucr getcral educatio[ ad spc.fic ttaidtg-by thc o*o p.ogr"-.. (guidcdtour., labcUirgsysteeq zocowaedEag.ziles, ae) is a *hea"o* new a;sptafsarc bcitrgpladcd "r"rb"gc h somc coundcE in cooaectionwith arinal c/rlfarc rcgulations,ni -um spacc rcquircmelb for wild .ni6'l< vErc o6cially publish€4 dot lcast under public prcssurcwiich complaincdagaiDst srch c6tablishmcnt!as roadsidc2006" For Sq,iEerlald the regulationson cocodiliaDsarc giEn in Table 1. SIocG.rd ?.! I,.slgE! Whilc tlc ninimum spac! .cquitrbcnt6, ar clabdatci i! Switzcrtan4rcgulate thc spqcc for wild aoinals bott in pri%tc ard public displaF o$ibit! in ZoologicalGardcrs dc..d to bc largF. sF,cidcDs sh@ rtuch morc inprcssivcly ia spaciou!eaclo6u.6 furnistcd with all the rccacsar!,cLoclt6 (fabh 2). Whetrtrqw ctocodilc crdibits at! di6otsscdbt dccisiondal(crs, it is advisatlcto studythc inplicatiors of crocodilcbehavior for EaragcmeDt(vliet 1 lald 1987a). Basicoocodile displayscoDsist of a pool and a Lnd area. Thc pool for adult spccincasshould ofic. eariouswater levciswiti a decpestpoint of about 15G180co for the l^rger Cteodfltat sp. andles6 for the smallerspccics, giving amplc space to dive(s€c Table 3 lor additionaldata). Heatirg the watcr Day bc ncccssdy. It caabe do[c cithet by hot watcr piper or elc.lric hratbg cablc6built i! $c surfac! of thc pools. Lo r doscd syitcfi whcro thc water is circulatcd @r a lceage-typc6lter stsrcd, ttc eL Displayi4livc plaar in . geDcrouslys€t up cdibit for crocodilesis a dustl Th. ic! growthof anyEopicrl or subtropicalplalt, suchas Fiaussp- Phildet dmn sp.,Pat danat, togcl\Et *iti brcmcliads,fcr!! ad orclids caasimulatc al almoqtnatural looking set up. Su.i display6laturaly catrlook ody sati6fadoryprovid€d that thcrc i5 sofrci€nt light and tc|npcfatuta Io otbd words,lush grosth of tropical plantsi5 thc indicator for oPtimalhumidity ard tadpci"aturcin any crocodilee*ibir Suchcrhittits offer soEc of thc cxcrtementmany visitors noadays requirc to uadcrstaadthc ace(hof coDs€lvation I.! arElgiDg e*ibitr, carcmust bc tateDto givr all admals a chatcc to hide ftom the ever '!ot prc.€lt cl!3 of thc visitors. A good displayshcrc the sFcidaD6 arc a.lwalsoo a tEf ofrels su(.h dorc clall€ogc to the inquifirr visitorb,csFcialy wie! tiey are properly informcd by a nodcm labcling tcchriquc" 'bchind Equaly inpodaDt to displaypcr desigais thc d.wlopment of amPlesPacc the sceae,s'for fatchliup ard their rcarirg; NI TaEparrtura Hcating crocodilec*ibirs h tcmperatczon€s is bcst arfiDgedby el€dricity and/or solar hrat. Both floor ald radianth€atiDg is trc.ca6ary.It is a&adageousto arrangethc heat units i.tr $tch a eay tlal thc crocodile,rcar c&oosctho aadparatu.cthcy adualy prefer. Information otr -ng crocodiliarthc.Eal sclediotris 8i!G! by | (19&b). Ught Bcsidcsinruiaatiry ttc €rdfoi|3 for acsthcticrclaorlt ald Fopcr p.cseotatiot of thc spcciEcDs,sufici.Dt ligh{ is al coineat facc ia aay aaiual display. Thia is espccialytru! eith qocodilia$, ovErwtich still laysal cnornous anoult of disdaitrand supcrstition- Amplc lighting ofcrocodile displaysis inportaDt for natEal bchavio.of thc specimcls, Regal(1980) dplairs thc role of light ard radialt hcat Modcn dcvice,isuch as HQI equipmcnt,ofrcrad by alEo6t all major danufacturcG of light stsfcns, dor oDlt provide a,l appcaliry but also sourd tcchnical Iigbtilg Additiod ffv [ghtiq srlchas FoFrV builr-in blacLlight tlbc's i! the rcar ultravioLrr .a[gc of 310to 400Dalomctora, for at lcarcU hourspcr rlaymay bc ncccssary(Brazaiti! 19t6). V.trdurt Csr. It i6 un&rstood that in aay zoologicalgarda the rcpdlc collcatiotrshould be uader the saEc rigid iet€riury cotrEol as arc thc naDEals and the birds. "Veterioarians!€ed|r't to apologizcfo. tbc stateof the art of rcptili& ncdicirc' (Fovld 19B0).Close cooperatioa bet*een thc vdcrinarian and thc curato. i! chargcassists botL Both arc erpcrB i! ttcir frelds,to tlc bcncit of thc sFciEels utrdertheir c.rc. Whatcacr tlc origia of a ocw spccjEc[ to €nter iIrto an cxiitirg group of ariEaL, a nhiauo quaraltine of about 30 dat! is highly rcaoEEcd€d. DuriDgthat tiEe ttc rccessary f€calsaDplca caa bc collcdad aadcrcatual parasitas or iniudascan b€ trede!- For thosc who harc litdc accassto ample vetcrinary E€f,i'icas,there ate by noq fortutatcly, a nunbcr of oodern publicatioosalailable, wherc irformation of docodilian disc.s€s c.! bc found (Coopcrand Jacbor 1981"Ippc! et al 1985,k€abugpl ard Fra!.L,1985, Fryc 1990). AutoFi€s 5Ic to be p€rforEc.dtrot orly for the deterEitrationof the cau.6eof d€at\ but alsoto chccLif thc dinical dirgtosia sas corrc.t CercalscsE!6t bc placcdia muscuos or other scier i6c collcctiors for furtier sMies- Ei€[ sFaimcrs of so callcd codmo! spcciesand without data catr bccoEe of great idter€st itr futurc studica S{dtrg TecbDiquc. After Chabrccl (1967)aad Brazaitis(1969), thc &terniratiotr of scxio liviag crocodiliau L, at lca.ston paFr, ro loogcr a problen. Il practicq hoc,€acr,the inoobilizatior, cspc.ialy of $c larter sFcies, ir sfiu a problcIn,cspccialy itr tloqc collcdionswherc littlc p.acticalogcrieDc€ is availablc. Inforaarion on handling(BaI 19d 19?9)aad innobilization o] crocodilescaa bc foud i! Iri€ridgc ad Bkfc (gn), Bobath(gfD, ad Maftolr ad Jes{A68). Htbddlzrdon IntcrbrcadiDgbetc,€c! .clated sFcies shouldaot betomc a goal of aty captivr breediry Fogra$ From tho corrcnatioa and thc gplctic standpoin! any hyb.idizadonof socodiliar spe4icrdust be rcje{tcd. Htrtidiation l,iah Oadthtt @!Us thrcat€trsthc cristcoc€ of tic end,dg$cA Aadrhlr rhonbifa u, C\b. Hyblid oftprirg. of Aeoqhts ti@/7.g'tsis(x Crocodfhrsporosut) thrcatuc thc cdargcrcd niczars& (Grooabridge 1997). Hrb.idizarior of Ctuodyhtt thonbtJq I Cruodyh.srtoratj& talca placcat th€ zoo h Hodi Minh City, VictDam (G€isslcrand Jorgtrickel8An). HolEfirly sonc of th€schybd& wiu bc rcleas€di! short sirhted 'co$criatiotr' aarivities" Thcraforc Io. zoologicalgardeas with lirnited spac€,otre specicsbreeding units are stronglyrccoomcaded Ac4uratcspc.ica ide[tifcatiotr (Brazaitb 1yB, WcrEuth and FuchsA?8) ie inporta* IttsrlgaDert Good aninal ma.agcmdrt tccbtriquesarc equally ihpo.tant over the e6tablishmeitof p.oFr habtu.tdisplays. Intcrcstiogdetails on oocodiliar bioLogr,wlich *ould havcbeca difrcult to obrair frod pE y sF4iacrs i! tic eil4 wcrc gathercdun&r suitabb codirions id zoologicalgardcDs. Much of wiat ia bowtr of pdcntal bctavior i! crocodiliarswas obtailcd from obsc.vationsia zooLogical gardcDsClabb a). Af ParqucZoologico dc Tuda Gutieq% Chiapas,Mexico, a Ealc spc{tacled Fimrn, Cainot ctuodihts crocodits, opffcd a nastald rel€ascd25 &onates; the fematcpare rcc.lizcd ard sy.n witl hcr pod (Alvarczdcl Toro 1969). Parcntalbchavior of dwarf .rocodiles, Oitzol@,,lt tzozspis,ras describcdat tlc Fo.t Worth, Texag Zoo; two femalesand a Eale trarsportcd ocoratcs fron onc clutci of eggsin t[ci. douths (Tryon 19&). At NandaDlanatr Biological Par\ Oriria IDdi4 parcntal bchavior oI Gatiolb g@gai('].Jhas been rccordcd by B|lstardald MalaraE (1980). At JaiFrr Zoo, Iadia nuggcr crocodiles,Oocod)du pahtt'.is,h^ve bc€[ obccreEdri.g their nootlr to trarsport neonatcsftos aest to g,atcr (yadav fD), Morclct's cocodiles,Oocod)da mqelai, at Z.@ Adafta harc brcd anddisplaycd a widevaricty of parEial bchavior irrcludiEgoc,st builditrg and lcotratc trarsporting (Hllnt ly't, In long-tcrD cqrcriDeD|3oldrr 'ou!g of C modeti sr.c tept with adults atrd intcractioosrecordcd (Hu 1yfD, Mctro Zoo, MiaDi, Flo.ida has tcpt youDga\d Ff'ent Cleodffus siornearrrtogEttcr for up to thlce ycars: mouth Ealspon of trmnat€shas bcrtr obs€w€d(Bi[ Zcglcr, pe.s, coom.), Zoologic.l grrd€E hatt bad€ iDportant contibufioDsto tbe literature of c$codilian behavior (Wai&ur.ait 1989). lt wa! also through privatr brccders,efforts that w€ learned about the rcptodudivc biolos' of Palcotuchutpalpebtusut (hthi 1983)ard @rnan s?coa&r (Hirscbfeld 1966). Succ*sful brccdiq of docodnials uade. artificid condiriou in tcDperate zoacs has bccoEc possibleCfablc 5, 6 ad 7). Perhapafirturc EaragemeotcoocepB in zoologicalgarde!3 *ill fiuthcr cncouragcthc tc.ping of addr qocodiliar$ wirtr thcir offsprir& Bcbicr ct aL (1987)rcpoitcd o! thc r€oarLabl€ suaccs6of thc Brodx Zoo, New Yorlg whclic rccantly s€r'c! spe.iq har,c be€tr brc4 amoDgtf,cE Alligoto. tirre tit 6 Crocodyhlt rtorrtrtar, whicharc h urgc[t nccd or plopagarid outsidctf,cir raDga a DLt Di€ts of crocodiliaB ir zoologicalgadc!. hrl/! typically iacludcd wtolc micc, rats, c[icfcls, criclec asd 6sb. Monotypicdi€t! of 6sh shouldbo carcitly donitorcd Beforc 1yll, *tilc oo a dict of salt-mtcr frsb, Cncottits t"delad 4 Ze AJI?!ad^failed to produc! viablc cEbtt6 ard a tc atirc diago6i! of avitaninGis E c,Esnada (Huat 19EO).In addition to thc Fobletn of rarcid fuh pcvcnti4 thc ahnoOdo of VitaDin E rli'Fin,.€ activit!' hss beetr Ecasurcdi! datry spc.i6 of commoafood 6sh (€oopor ad JacLsoa1981). ln(reasingrhi,nin..c h lforcd 66h and n@otJrpicdicts of fiEb producetbiaDirr dcfcirlq but catr bc &utdizcd by additg thiaair to thc dict Gngasii 1961,G€.ei 1ta, Wdlach $rr0. It has alsobca reported tLaf a tcmpcraturcof 27" C fof 6!c oinutcs wil drltroy rhi^nin,.€ itr storcd6sh (Mattiso! 19tP). Livr 6si co ain @gligiblc aDioontsoil rhi-iinasc ard atc probably safcr to f.ed captivc crocodiliarsthrl arc sto.cd 6sh of anyspeciar (Ellea Dicrcdcl4 pcrs.conm.). B€causcof possiblcdargprously bigh co[c€ntratiols of Hg Pb, c4 PcB, DDT, etc- Jes (1989)cautiors agaiNt thc usc of ftesh-wate.6sbe,iofuntrowtr o.igirs. b sucbcaseE one should cd6idcr d.dcasirg thc rcluEc ol fish ia thc dicr Ardfidd ltrdtbcdoD Tradirioraly stafr at zooLogicalgardcls hlvr rcEovcd cggs ftod arocodilc&sts and incubated ti3o i! a scparatefacility with cotrnolled humidity.nd t€mp€rature. Tryotr (1%0) incubated Osteolacmust€ha8pi5 cggi belwcrn 2f,C and 34"Cid dampvcrniculite h 38 aad76 liter aquaria- Ar MadrasCrccodib Part nhc capirc coacrircd cggsof Gavirlis gaDgcticur\rerc removedftod tbc l.st asd ilo$atcd at tcmpdaturca bctc,€c! 31"c and 3?c; iI! ihc ocst hole teEp€ratures bctclr€! 34"c atrd3f,C lilled enbryooin 15 cggs(I{ant', 1989). To observcmatemal behavior, afi ar Zoo Arlalra irorbar.d cggrof Crccody'usdoreletii ia a styrofoambox fillcd viti satlrdt.d pcat no6s. WhcIr tho nloortca bcalizcd in tf,c cgg* in tto bq, thc box *a6 buricd itrsi& thc nest nound. Thc fcdalc parcDtbad no difficulty i! cicavatirg thc friablc stFofoam (HEt, 1980). Ir ordlr to udcratard tho phcrohcra of tcEFr.tucicpcD&rf *r-&tcrmiratior dodcrn rcsults (Fcrg!!o! & Joa,tcq [19E21,FcrgusoD, 119651 or Wcbb & 5-itt', [$Ea) should bc c5letuly studicd ld-Mc&odt As oulincd earlicr (Hoacggcr,1EI9) any taggingsysten in a ZoologicalGardetr should satisry th€ cthicatad acathetic.lcritcria. Latcly,sopbirticatcd systenr with midoclcdronic tecbnolog (tarspon&rs) havebeer introduced" A lcssdpcnsirlc octbod usinga simplc lcathcr hole pulch and tnc scltc codiDgsystea hasbee! claboratcdby TanaracL (1988), Sfur|hoof! M So far, onc ilternational studbool for a cocodilia! sFcies hasbcrtr dcvclopc& Alligator siaensis. It i! publish€dotr ar alntlal basia A sn6i4y app€arBir tf,c Iat€dmtiond Zoo icarbook (scc alro Tablc 6), For somc othcr sp€.ies(paL.$rchus 3p., Crocodylusnorcl*ii, C. rhontrifer, C. siaDeDskand Todistona scflegclii) rcgioral studbootsarc plarned*itbh thr AAZpAlCAc. SurDlurADl|nalr Tha pladng of surpluscrocodiLa ol a pcrnaacnt brccdingtoan basis witiin a soud nrn-g.n€nt- phA sud asSSP, nay bc thc oDb,politicaly fca6ibbway for thc owrcrs ofyaluable Oocodiles,as 19 do.lctaZ ?+anSc ial€s placr. ExeDplaryc&rc thc iltcrnrtioD.l coopcrarioaon A.lligator sircrsi.sor Gavialisgaageticus *iich bccaoc famow Sorph$ Crocodilcs,ofiginatiry ftom public do.atioE aad/or captivcbracdiDg arc a focal concar! h aaDy ZoologicalGardels. Thc variousrealoDs wiy resrockiagnatural arias is lot feasiblein tary casas,harc bccr rlisouscdby Tryotr & Bchle., (1982). Thc AAz.PA,/Crocodilia! advirory group (c.lc) publishcs,togcthcr with sooc input ftom o\Escag a list of surf'luscrocodilians. It k iatcndcdto serrc Zoologic5lirstitutiotrs s.orld s,ide. Surplurlists atc alsopublishcs by tLc IUCN/CSG rc*sletter. I! 1981iWtitalcr (19B6) itrvtc/ Zoo-pcoplc rrorld-wi& for Co-op€ratior *itt tle Madras CtocodiL BaDI aadto plac! aurplusspccimens thcra lresgldy licrc arc disctssionr about placiry surplus crocodili.$ (Notr-SSp[Spccics Survival Plad-taxa) ar dember-insritution of Arcrican A.lligatorFarEer6 Associaiion (AIFA), wierc the specincr|sor tncir ofisp.in$ could be harlcstcd for their hi It aust bc sdmittcd ?lai gctruincCrocodilc farEs playan itportalt paft h Crocodilecorcnauon andthar thc FcacDtphilo6ophy bchiad AAFA (sccKing & Wiho!, 1989)i6 to bc austed" It pcrtaps would stiaulatc coopcrationbctwccl zoologicatgardcls atrdcocodile farme.rsif sode of tlc crocodil+faros would offcr spaccon thcir groundato bc set asidc 'laturaf to Eainrain ar "exotiC socodilc undcr couditioafor norcomoercial rcasoDs. Suchsirgle.spccies enclo3urg stoclcd wit[ only a biologicalsound Inpulatiotr, would allo$,studi.B at clo6c.argc for studcDtsand rcsearchers at rclativelylow co6t. Suchcooperation would also hclp dcmonseate ticir conmitEcaf to corscrvation A frrturc coop€rativcstep could bc their wilirgoc€s to E.inr.in sEall nr|nbcrs of a! eldaDgc.cd speci$ as staid-by for b(eedi[g progras, Hoctrr&r, the prcsc dfuc|l3sionEust go oo, kcapirg h nin4 tlrat thc ouroberof surplus""i*rk sill iacrcascrar thc oumtrcrof iostitutims with brccniogFograds impro\,€, LoDS4lay.nd AlDiro Spedd.tr! (hblc t) Undcr optioal nanagcmcntconditior! crocodilcscan attai! corsidrrablc agc,s(Bowler, lyfD ad thc publication of inter€stirg lorgavity rccordr may coDFt:butcto the remarlablc fa.Itrc of crocodiliaash thc eyEsof thc Zooc'visitors. If thcrc arc o&cr Crocodiliarsh atr iDstitutio4 thc dLplay of an albiro spccimcl adds to the statcmdrtof dircrsity o! crocodilia!5ad rQtil€s h geaeral But a lo[cly albilo Clocodilg kePt a3a queri s€lsationi! just a bad-stcp i! Eodrm Zoo-philocophy- L.bcllra S!'!t o! .rd kbu. Edrcado! HaviDghad a chatrc!to rc-ceatlyvkir sooc cocodilc displaysil Europcaa(aad ovcrs€as)2006, I ra! l|rry plcascdto lcam about t[c progrersand th! ert in ncs labcliDg systcEa.Tf,c dayswhcrc qocodiL6 rcrc just labclled by coomol naE6.!d cottilc[t of odgia seeo go[c, Modcrtr labcllirg-systcmsiaform thc visitoB on distributioD,bchavior aad relation to matr atrd add to the attractioaof a display. Ilst but not lcastthir educationof a broad public dudng thcir lcisue-timc visit to th! Zoo eil bc of bcncft to a b€tter utrderstandiDgof tle Eagoi6c€ntreptilcr and their rob thcir cco6ystcDs ItG 1989Sulrt h Errop.& Zoo! ard Aquadr Tbc last $!aEy on captivadocodiLs ir Europcan2006 c|asoadc ia 194 (Hoaegger,1971. Aftcr thc rarious brcediry succ€ssaswith Crocodilci in Europc I was eager.to leam oorc alrcut chaDgc,sh the a.t of lc€ping aocodncc Durhg thc sccond hall of 1989 a sFcial crdilcs' questiodairc was Eailed to all Eaior Europcsn 2006" Dcspitc tf,c hct tha( r sber of Zoos tloc,tr to bave docodiliars i! thcir po€scssi@oEittad to rcply, 6rc! after a rcminder vas s€trt, the req,olse can b€ coDsidcred satisfadory. Thc data for somc of thc British Zoos werc collc{tql itr 1989by Desds Hoarc of Pairgton Z,oo, and arc incorpora&di! thc tabulatioos. As it apFars oo Tabl€sla ad 9, coneciDgspccier aad/or thc dcsircto coapcte with other 2006 scaEsto bc stil tic oai! aim of naiatainiaga crocodilccollc.tio!. Hwev€r, coEpar€dwith thc 19'14dafa tic lt'obcr of sFcica pcr couedirn has desca!€4 thlts alowing sorc sp.cc for tbe rcnaindcr and a bcttcr starti4 point for a brecdiogprogran- Ol thc othcr hald Melonduch$t niger Pakosnclult tigo&alt Ctwodyhts htcn Edit\t Ctsodthrt ,troElait Ctucdffu ninfuasis N The Accics with thc *idast distnbutioo aad the laryest aunrber witli! Europca! Z^oosis Otuoltaius- tetaspis. Thc saEc spccjcshas atsoa r.Earl€ble record in respectt; its brceditr& Frveilstitutiols har€ succccdcdin reproducirytiis $nal AGicas Gocodila (Table 11). AoazioglS thc lalgest Africa! clocodilc, CrocodylusniloticuE has the most oumbers of a.ll crocodiliarsi! Europ€" Eighty-sixspcddets can bc fouid h Z) Zoos, ald ia tbrce irstitutiors. thc spccicshas also bcan bred. TLe rcpcatcdbraadilg r€cordswitt CairBalrctocodilus and palcosucbuspalpebro6us arc equally ooteeontly. Togeth€rwith thc breadiry suc.lsswith Ostcola.eus thcycould stimulateottcizooc to stat thci. ows crocodilc.brc€dingcvc! wh€o libited spaceis availablc(see Tablc 3 ou pea- d.Ea). Thc hr/o otber crocodilc spccics whicb w€tc brcd ia Europ€' Crocody'uscaraphactus a,rd CrocodylusrhoEbifer, apparcodyoccd norc spaciomenclosnrcs, iocluding deepcr poob (Iablc A.hoelcdg.E.trt! I thant Dcrds Hoarc of Pai[gton Zoo, United Kilgdod for allowbg mc to usc his data of hit 1989sutll€J of Bdtish 2006 ard Aquar:iaatrd a.ll Ey other Colleagucswho took their tiEc to reply. My spc.ial tiart goc.sto Ey Collcaguesof the AAZPA-Crocodileadvisory g:oup for th.ir geaelal support surnmarv L:ving crocodilians 1n a zoologlcal Garden represettt a very valua.ble lesoulce. If, such a gloup evolves through proper composition. as welL as nadageBent and exhibit techir",ques l'nto a breedinq group, a great goal is achieved. The alata gained od the biology of the species, the infortna- tlon of nuttitiotr, behaviou!, breeding; the vetelj-naly and pathologlcal aspect ale impoltant data for the bette! inder- staoding of, clocodiles and will eventually assist conservat- ion of these magnificent repriles ltt peril. Howeve!, the main reason for maintaiaing breeding-gloups-their of crocodiles on dlsplay In zoologicaL cardens ouaside range, remalns in the face-to-face educatlon (in the nldest range of the tedl ,,educatlon,, ) of the general publlc for a better undelstatrdlng of thelr requilements and ihel! lole r.n any ecosystem tbteatened by man. Litetatule citeat Anon, 1989 Zoos: SeveD Crocodylus mj,ndorensis hatched at Brolrnsville Zoo, lexas. CSGNewsletter 8: 30 Alvarez del To!o, M. 1969 BleediDg the spectacled caiman, Caj,nan clocoalylus at luxtla Gutieuez Zoo. Int. Zoo Yealb. BaU, D.J. 1974 gandung and lestlaj.nt of reptiles. Int. Zoo Yealb. 14:138-140. Ball, D. J. 1979 Notes on the HandliBg of Snakes and clocodiles. Fed. zool. Galdens cleat Blitain Ileland. Suppl. 10. Beltler, J.L., 1987 Clocodlllaos: status, captive culture, clocodilian advisory gloup lecorEnendati.ons . AAZPA 1989 ann. conf. P!oc. , 55-66. Pittsbulgh. Behler, J,L. , 9. Blazaltls, Propagatiod of croco4lllans at the K.B. Gelety and B. Foster, Bronx zoo. 11th l!rt. He4). Sl'lIlIr. 1987 capt. P!op. Eusband4'. Chicago: Bonath, K. 1977 !{a!kose de! Reptiuei, Anrphibien und Fische. Paley, Berlln. Erazaitis, P. 1959 rtre detennlnation of sex in fiving crocodillars. B!it. J. ge!p. 4,3: 54-58. Brazaitls, P. 1973 fhe identj,fication of living cloco- di1es. zoo1. 58,3-4:59-101. Brazaitls, P. 1986 Ittanagement, ID, reproductLon and growth of calnan clocodilus yacare at tbe Neu Yolk Zoological Park. P. 389-397, in P!oc.7th working neeting of crocodiLe sPecialist grouP of ssc/IucN. calacas. IUCN, c1and. Bustalal, H.R. & Filst captlve bteeding of the ghar- s. Mahalana, 1980 ia1, Gavialis gangeticus. B!it. J. Eerp.6.3:106. chabreck, R.E. 1967 Alligator falrnLdg hints. lA. witd life aad Plsh. Conm. Repolt, coope!, ;r.8. t Diseases of ttte Reptj.Lia, vo]. 1 o.F.,Jacksoa, 1981 and 2, Academic Pless, Ld. Scientific results of an inquiry into the ecology and econonic sta- tus of the NiIe crocodile (Clocodilus (slc ) niloticus) in uganda and dolthern Rhodesla. T!aDs. zool. Soc. Lond. 29,41 DoUiltge!, P. 1979 4th ann. Report to th Iatelltational secletatiat on the Ranagetneat of CITAS in switzelland - Year 1978 Swiss. Fed. vetellnary office, Berne. \o*Lr , f .J. Ittl h.ca't;6.f raPhbt q..t aupt* h a Eowle!, M.E. 1980 A alltlll|ary of the pape! ptesented in the dlsease section of tbe sl'lnlrosiut|. Reproductive bio].ogy anal dlseases of captive leptiles. SSI\RCoatr. Herp. Nr. ft267-268. Frye, F.I. 1990 BlonedLcal and sulgical aspects of captive reptile husband4'. Klieger Arbl.Co. Melbourne, FL/USA. Geisale!, L. and J. Jung- genelkers\rerte Schildkr Groomb.j.dge, B. 1987 t{te distlibution alrd status of rolld clocodiliaDs in wild11fe na- nagenent. Crocodiles and Au.igat- oas. G.iI.W. Webbet a1. E,d.s.2.9-2L. Sulley Beatty & Sons, SyalDey. Harry, A. 1989 ganadlyad. !4:1. Madras Clocodile 8ank, liladlas. Ee]fenlerge!, l|. 1981 Ein Beitlag zu! Fortpf lanzungsbio- Iogle von Osteolaetlu6 t. tetlaspis. Ferpetofauna ( c€amany) 11i9-11. S19ash1, H. 1951 Vltafiins ln fish. Fish as Fooal. VoL. 1. Academic Press, N.Y. Hilschfeld, K. 1965 Ztrcht von Rrokodilen ( CaLrnan clocoatilus ) 1tn Vivarium KehI. DAIZ 19:308-310. Honegger, R.E., t97l Zoo breeding and crocodil,e baak. fn Crocodiles. Suppl. Pap.No.32, Intl. Ullion Cons. Nat. New Se!. I: 85-97. Honegger, R. E,, The crocodllian situation in Eutopean zoos. Int. Zoo teatb. !5: Holegge!, R.9., r979 Markj.ng anphibians alrd reptiles for futule identificatioE. I!tt. zoo rearb. 19:14-22 Honegger, R.E., 1980 Breeelng endangeled species of rep- tl1es, ln Reproductive biology and diseases i! captlve reptlles. ssAR cont. Eerp. N!. 1:91-92. Honegge!, R.E., 1982 BEeedlng clocodiles in captivj.ty, a letlospect 1950-1980. p.283-294. Proc. 5th Working meetiag of the crocodile specialist group SSC/ IlrCN. Gainesvij.le. lcttN, G1and. Honegge!, R.E. , 1990 !he crocodile situation in Europe. Iilln. report to AAZPA/CAG and IUCN/SSC, CSG, Gaj.nesville. Hudt, H.R. 1969 Breedlng of spectacLed car.na! { Caiman c. crocodilus ) at Atlanta zoo. Int. zoo. Yealb. 9: 36-37. Eunt, H.R. 1973 Breeding Molelet's clocodile, crocodylus noreletii, at Atlanta zoo. Int. zoo Yealb. 13: 103-105. Hultt, s.R.1975 Maternal bebavio! in the Moleletrs crocodj.le C. noreleti. Copeia 1975: 763-764. Ilunt, It.R.1977 Aggressive behavLor by adult Mo!e- letrs clocodiLes towald young. Eelpetologica 33: 195-201. Funt, H.R. 1980 Propagation of Morelet's crocodile. Reploductive biology aad diseases of captlve lepti1es. sst\R. co!!t!. Help.Nr.1:161-155. Jes, E. 1.981 Hal.turrg und Zucht von Panzerechsen. DATZ. 34.5t L73-L78. Jes, g. 1983 Panzelechsen im Kdlner Aqualiun an Zoo.2oo am l.leer naktuelln 3,2t9-L7. Jes, H. 1986 Nachzucht des Brauenkaimana (Pa1eo- suchus palpeblosus ) , DATZ 39,4:189. ,tes, H. 1989 De! F1sch aLs Nahrung fiir vll,atien- tlele. Das Aquariun, 246, L2r115- Ippen, R., H.-D. Schrii4e!, gandbuch der Zootielkrankheiten. K. Elze 1985 Band. 1: Reptilien, AkadenLe Vettag, Isenbiigel, E. & Heintierklaikheiten, Ulne!, stuct- W. Fran*, 1985 gart Kar, S. 1989 Crocodile conselvatioo progless j,n Ori,ssa. CSGNewsl.etter 8:15-18. King, F.t{. & Dobbs, 1975 ctocodillan plopagation in Anerrcan zoos attd aqualia. Int. Zoo yearb. Klng, P.W. & J. Wilson, 1989 Standalds of flayinE, curiDg, nea- sulJ.ng anal glading ALllgator and Clocodile hides. An. ALligator Pallnels Assoc. pubL. 1. La.rrq.,J.t{., 1987a Crocodilian behaviou!: Implicatiolrs for managenent, in Wildllfe manage- nent: Clocodiles aod Alligators. G.\t.l{. Webb, et at. Eds. 2Al 273-294. Sulrey Beatty & Sons, Sydney. Lang, J.W., 1987b Clocodilian theltlal selecri.on, i-bid, 30: 301-317. Large, J. 1980 Er:olgleiche Zucht von Nitkrokodit- en (Crocodylus Blloticus) und Spltzkrokodilen (Crocodylus acuEus, -irDzoo Be!1in. Bongo 4175-76, Ber- andin press Breeallng the Cu-banCrocoallle, Cro- Siriiil;".-o. codylus rhonbifer at Skansen Aqu- alium. Int. Zoo yearb., 28. LoverLdge, J.P. & D.K. Crocodile fuIt|obi].izatlotr aard Blak6, 1987 anaesthesia, in Wlldlife Mahage- meDt: Crocodiles aDd AllLgat ors. G..l.w. webb, et al. Eds. 27: Surley Beatty & Sons, Sfdtrey. Liithi, H., 1983 Haltung und zucht des Btauea-claEE- stiln-Kaimans (paleosuchus palpe- brosus ) IlerPetofauna {cennany), 24: Lu:tnoore, R.A. , J.G. Baa- A Directory of Crocodile Farniaq zaalo, S.R. Broaal and D.A. Operatiolls IUCII/CIIES. Jones, 1985 Ma!bo1t, D. A H. .tes, 1988 Angaben zu! Seaielung ej.nes Croco- alyl,us niloticus. Salamandla. 24, Regal, P. J. 1980 Temperature and light requilements. rn Keprod-Lrctive biology and disease o! captj.ve teptiles. SSAR Contr. Ilelp.N!.1:79-89. Richter, U. 1991 Eine Nachzucht ales Stunpf -Krokodils I usEeolaemus tettaspls ) SalanaDatla, I7 ,3.41 I94-L97- Tamalak,,J. 1988 PemaDent Ldentification method for croco it) .{ (, ^ gq{ c, otl r 'i, ct]Jo d ..t ! H dd H l!; (^o) o3 u.>.1 OF > rl, E }{o r!> (J ior ,; tJ t ! '] lr , co, d ,<> t 6A O ol! Er o cF a q aEe '|gr ! 3f. C's o6 o5 iD x^ .qode ,. !! Ea oa 26 o EEr or ..t a }r>0, i c| r, .,1 oc c r, +rn ,i d E 3 55, ! (l) > O t{ i! '! rr eo ! 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O H T.t,Ag- Lodqevi.tv and albino specimens SPecies Locality sex yea!- acquired Al.l,igator &Lssissl14) j.ensis Ansteldam, NL olo/2 1949 Loodon, GB 0/L/0 1949 Plaque, CSSR I/L/O Rotterdan, ltL L/L/O r.915/1920 Alligator sileosis Be!11n-8, cDR t/t/ 0 Chicago, Blookf. USA o/0/I ' Praqnre, CSSR 0/t/o Caimad c. apapoli,ensj.s Berlin-E, GDR o/0/1 L972 Paleosuchus palpebrosqs Albuquelque, gSA 0/0/L 1972 + Paleosuchus tligroaatus Detlolt, USA 0/0/l 1959 + Clocoalylus cataphrachus lllami lletro Zoo, USA 0/0/1 1940 + Rotterdan, NL L/t/0 19L5/L920 j.nterneillus Clocodylus Chicago, 8!ookf. USA 0/0/r 1968 Clocodylu.s lriloticus Bristol, cB Palj,s, F o/0/3 t.948 porosus Clocodylus Dresdelr, GDR 0/0/L 1958( i1957) clocodytus rhombl.fer BelIln-E,6DR 0/0/r Osteolaeeus tetraspj.s BerLin-E, GDR r/0/0 1958 fomj-stona schlegeli AnEteldan, NL r/o/o 1939 0/r/0 Albino speci,anen ClocodyLus polosus Stuttgalt, cDR r/o/0 L961 + Data florn Slavens. 1987 TabLe s statu6 of Crocodiles in Eulopean Zoos and AqualLa: Institution: No. Species inc. No. Specimens: No. of enclosules: ssp. : Amsteldam NL s(10) 19(44) 3( 4) ADtleelpen B 1 1 Augsburg FRG I 3 1 Banham, UK 1 I Barcelotta SP 9( 5) 45(19) nd( - ) Basel CH Lt 2l 4( 5) 1( 2) BeTIilt E GDR 11(13 ) .39(23) - ( -) BerLin W FRG nd( 24) nd(52) nd( -) Bean cH t 1 Brighton, ItK 1 1 Blistol UK 3 2 chessington UK I 3 Chester UK 3 l colchester irR 1 2 -ologne mc 21 3') 58l22l 2(3) Copenhagen DK 2 2 Cotslrold UK 2 Darmstadt Ftlc 1( 3) 2lL2l 1( -) Dortmund FRG t 2 1 Dlesalen GDR 2 21 7l 2( A) 2( -) Duisbulg FRG 2( 2l 41 4l 1( 1) Dtisseldotf FRG 5( 6) 10( 7) 4( 7 ) Dvur Klalove CSSR 5( ?) 23( 22) ad( 3 ) Edinbulqh UK 1 2 Etmen NL 3 18 ; !'!ankfu!t FRG 1( 8) 1(11) r( -) Gossau Cg 14 2 Hanbur:g PRG 2 llannove! FRG 1( 1) 2( 2l 1( 1) KrefeLd FRc I 2 1 Leipzig cDR s( 3) 9( 7) s( 4) Lonalon ItK 'iabl.ethorpe 2( 10) 5(27) tt lrK 1 1 ?t ..iinche!! ERG 2( 8) 8(18) 21 2) Paj.ngton tK Paris F 1( 3) 3(1?) 1( ._) Plaque CSSR 4(3)'7) 11( s) s( 4) Rotteldan NL 3t 5( 14) 3 will ad. A. ( 6) sinensis BIJ Saalbriickea ERG 1 I Skegness UK 2 1 Southpolt IJK 1 2 Stockholm s 2 14 2 Studen/Biel cH I 9 2 Stuttgalt FRG 5(17) 20(33) '' rhliqby HalL UK 3 10 Twycloss ttK I :' l{elsb-Mountain UR 1 I Wien-lteer AU 2 2 2 lfien-Sch6nbrunn AU 31 7l 3( 9) rd( 6) Windso! ItX L 2 Wuppeltal FRG 1 2 1 Ziirich CIt Ll 2') 2( s) rt 2) Figures in blackets: 1973 sulvey (Honegger, 1975) raatel4a sgecies Nunbe! of Nrhber of Specimens collections Crocodylus niLotlcus lL5/ 25/ 46) 20 Osteolaenus tet!4iPis tL9/24/24) Alligato! mississLPpiensis 118/27/ 6l 19 Paleosuchus palpebrosus 45 116/18/221 7 cailtlal! clocodilus clocodilus 34 | 6/ 9/19) 8 tonistoda schLegeli 9 clocoalylus rhombife! ( 5/ 7/!31 crocodylus polosus | \/ 0/r5) cainan clocodilus Yacale l3 l2/ 2/ 9) I Crocodylus cataPhrachus 10 t2/2/6) 2 Calt|an crocoalilus ssP. l2/ 3/ L) 1 All,igator si[ensj.s 7 | 3/ 4/ o) clocoaLylus sl.arnensl.a 7 (2/Ll41 calman latiostris 5 | 3/ 2/ 0l crocodylus palustris 5 Ir/2/2) crocodylus johnsoni l2/ 2/ 01 2 crocodylus novaguj,nea 2 l7/ L/ 01 1 crocodylus palustiis rkfulbul.atr l0/0/2) I clocodylus acutus 2 l0/L/rt 2 cavialis gangeticus 1 (0/L/0) t Caiman clocodilus apaporiensis 1 l0/o/Ll 1 26 Table. 44 'Bleedinq recola LocalLty Yea! nunrber eggs sulvived Inc. Inc. SFecies eqgs hatched 30 days Tenp. Time Ansteldam NL EEfrEi-?: clocodirus ssp, 19?1 9 28/32 - 19?5 9 9 1977 29 Ba!celona SP CainEn c. c!ocodilus VI.87 22 '1 29/32 77 d. vI.88 ? 29/32 vI.89 22 2 1 29/32 Cai.han c. yacale vI.88 27 24 29/12 Osteolae$us letlasPis vtl.87 29/32 87d vII.88 2L 14 L2 87d coDenhaqen DK clocodylus nilotlcus 1983 51 1 - +lmos 1984 20 7 1 - i3lltos 1986 2 2 - +3mos 1988 1 I - !3mos 1989 5 5 - +3nos - Osteolaehus tetlasPis 1987 5 !2 Ll ZnOA Eftnen NL 1987 7 1 26/29 !3nos "toco-dyluscataphractus 1989 13 26l29 !3lnos osteolaetnus tetraspis 1986 20 26/29 !3mos 10 26l29 i3mos 1989 20 26/29 cossau cll osteol-aemustetlaspis 1989 l0 30 81 d 1975 84 crocodylus niloticus 1989 500 42 40 L14 d 1980 98 Paleosuchus palpebrosus 1989 370 81 80 d croco stockholn s 85 - Eioco xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Eqd lavinq lecolded Locality SPecies Year Amstelalam Cainan clocodilus ssp. Osteolaedus tetlaspis 19?7 - 1989 crocodilus niloticus (?) 1988 BaseI tomistoma schlegeli 1989 Darmstadt osteolaemus tetlaspis 1988, 1989 4 irercuryContanination Of Florida Al ligators Lindsey,J. Hord, FGFWFC,g1Z2 US 441 SE, Okeechobee,FL 34974 Mike Jennings, FGFvTFC,4005 s. Main st., cainesvit le. FL 32601 Arnold Brunell, FGFLFC,p.O. Etox1903, Eustis. FL 3Z:Z1-1gO3 INTMOJCTICT{ lrercury has been and continues to be an inportant clstEnr to man. lrlercury sanples have been found in Egyptian torbs dated to j600 rc. Cinnabar. the principal nErcury ore, has beenmined sincc 415 ED(Foyals and Langc1990) and A.istotle .ecordedits use in religious cersnonies(Farber 1952). llbre recently mcrcury has been used to-f gold extraction, hat manufacturing,as a pigr€nt in paint, and as an aphrodisiac(,Jattee 1930. Goldwater1935, Leicester 1961). Mercuryi9 curren y used in chlorine and goda ash production, electrical componentmanuiacturjng, dentistry, agriculture, paint and plastic manufacture,laboratories, putp and paplr production,and othermanufacturing processes (Rodgers 1989). Current urortd use is estirEted at 9,000to 14,000flEtric tons annually(Royals and Lange 1990). i/brcuryoccurg in the environmentnatu.ally and as a regult of man,s activity. irercury ie tound as a connon clqnent in hot springs and in particulate and gaseousform in lava. luercurygas is released as a result of evaporation trorn the oceans and the breakdolrfiot rocks, minerals, and peat (Foyals and Lange 1990). Man releases mercury into the biosphere directly throughburning of coal and tuel oil containinghigh levels ot lrbrcury,mining activities, and the improperdisposal of indu;trial waste and productg. ir6rcury is introducedinto we ands indirec v as a result of dredgingoperations, alteredwater levels, andincreased turbidity, which can exposeor ressspendnicacury laden sediments (Vlhite and Crofiartie tgg5, Barr 1986). Mercuryhas no knoltnbiological function and its pregencein fish, wi ldlitc, and hrnans is potentially hazardoug(Eisler 1987), Several tactors influence the availability and toxicity of nrercuryto fish and wi ldlife. M€rcuryis moreoften associatedwith low ph and oligotrophic waters than neutral or high ph and eutrophic wate.s (Foyals andLange igSO). Othcrs factors that intluencc rErcury availability and toxicity are salinity, tsnperature, diet! age, sex, species, the molecular form ot mercury,and the presenceof other chsnicals (Eisler 1987). Sublethal levels in aquatic organis|t!Eaffect metabolisn, blood ch€rnistry, osrioregulation,and oxygenexchange. At co.npa.ativelylow concentration in birds and manmals,mercury adversely affects reproduction, Erodh and developrEnt,behavior, blood and serm chsnistry, moto|.coo.dination, vision, hearing, histology and metabolism. The effects of hercury on hunans,lish, andmany wi ldlite speciesare thoroughlyrevio/ed by Eigler (1947)!h.ni'ever, the Effects on crocodiliansare not tully understood.The prcscnceof f€rcu.y in alligators and crocodiles in Florida has been .eported by (Ogdenet al. 1974,Stoneburner and Kushlan 1984,Oelary et al. '1988),and (F. Labiskey,Univ. ot Fla., unpubl.data), ..,__ Jlp J irs_l ciseEot rErcury poisoninglvere.eportd in Europein 1805 wnenrw9 lllen oted In a chemicallaboratoay. Incidencesof mercurypoisoning haveoccurred in Argentina,Nicaragua, the UnitedStates, the Soviet union, and.canada- (Eisler i9€7). Major epid€riicshave been ieportcd rn .rapan, Pakistan,cuatsnata, chana, yugoslavia, and traq (Eisler i987), The ,act that nercury can bioaccurulateis of particular importanceiince nr.mans cons|.f|lepredatory tish and wi ldlite. The consequenqesof bioaccurulation wererealized luring thc igSOsin Japanwhere rErcury discharged into Minada Bay resulted in toxic concentrations ot mercuryin f iEhand;helltish. By 1982,at least 1,800hrman victirE,r,ere verified (Eisler 1987). Contaninatedtish rcrre first discoveredin the ChipolaRiver located in no.th{€st Florida in tg83whcn Iargenouth bass, a predatoryganEfish, were tound to contain [Ercury. Tho Florida Oepartnent ot En;irornental Begulation(DEF) began staterridc adnpling ot fish for heavymetals in August 1987, ti,lercurycontarninated fjsh were tound in Oceanpond and the SantaFe Biver, in north central Florida, as !r/ell as the Chipola Fiver. OEF sanpl,ingagain Novqnber1988 and foundelevated mercury revets srarflrder:?4T!* .in inctudinghigh levels in the Water Conservation nreai 1nCny, vrhichare located in soulh Florida (Figure 1), As a result of these f indings, thc Florida cane and_F,r.estnla Gr Fish Cotrmission(Co nission) initiated statelvidesanpting of fish tor mercury-nErcury in iiifv iieg. Fish containing levels of rErcury exceedingO.S pp|r of t6re ciscovered throughoutF lor ida- The Florida Departr€ntof Health and Rehabilitative Services(HttS) recognizesthe safe level of mercury in fish esh to be less than O.S ptrn, and lish containing greater than 1.5 ptrI are considered unsafe for hunan conslmption. SubsequenttoCffmissionsanpling, HFSi ssuedhea I th adviso r i es recodnendinglimited consunption ot tish containing betlrreenO-5 to i.5 ppn of nErcury fron the perdido,Blaclorater, yellotr, Hillsborough,SLrwannili, UpperSt.,John8, and SanteFe Rivers, and LakeKissimEe, Lak€ iohopekatgia, and East Lake.Tohopeka I g i a. Fish containing nErcury levele exceedingj.5 ppn'r€rc tound in ihe !rcA, andHFS issued a special advisory addressini the risks of cons(minglarg€rbuth bass and warmouthcaught in the tlCA, SubsequentIy, the Cormissionbecane concerned about the possibility of bioaqcurulationof nErcury in other aquaticorgani$rswithin the!rcA. The eltects of mercurycontarnination becdE particularly important in the ttCA,s alligator populationsince the Conmissioninitiated a public alligator harvest in thege areag in 1988. The Conmission,sprimary concernwas that the flesh of harvegtedalligatorswithin the\tcA might containhigh levels ol n|ercurythat \,tauldbe consuredby h(mans- Since no data v,/ere;vailable on-the levels ot nrcrcuryin alliga+or flesh, effortg lvereb€gun in Febrlary lg89 to selectively sanplealligators in the}lCAand other Flaridawe ands. II/ETFIOOS A total of eight alligators (1.5-A.1m) {€re collected frori the L3BE and LatsBcanals in ytCA2 and the C12g and L67Acanals in iircA3, during Februa.y1989. A 10 gramfircat sanple wasobtained fron the lateral side of the bas€ot the tail. Eachsanple was placed in a plastic bag, individually labeled, and refrigerated, A secondsanplewas cot lected in ihe ganremanncr trornten afligators in,iune 1999. Sampleslveae stored in a treezer and transpo.ted to the Cormission's Fisheries Labwhere they were analyzedto. nercury.content. Mercurycontent analysis was conductedusing atomic absorption cold vaporgeneration. Sarnplingof alligator meat in other areasot the state beganshor y after the.ini.tial discoveryof niercuryin the lrcA- Sarnplegof |rEat (n=ig) u,Ereobtained tron a nuisancealligator hunter in the Ft. Lauderdalearea, which is adjacent to the eastern boundaryof ttCA2 and 3. Additional sattplcsof nlcat (n:58), primarily trdn nuisanceall igators, ,,rEreobtaincd tron licensedmeat processors lrom north, central, ant southFlorida. In order to detemrincthe econooiclogg resulting frqr the suspengron of alligator harvestson the rcA, ureused the tollqxing economicvalues: harvcst quota of 585 alligatorg, based '15 on 1989night-light survcyg; 39 trcengees! and tags per licensee; 3g agent licenseg, based on the statevridepercentage ot agent to participant licenses(98a) (David1989); expectedfill rate of 98%,based on 1998harvest results trom the UnA{Oavid 1989); averagecarcasg length of 2.4m, basedon 1988harvcat results trorn thc V|CA;hide price of 914 (US) per meter; wholesatemeat erice of S2.27 (US) per-kilogrdrr; and participant ticense tec of $2SO(LJS) anq agenrs licanse tee of $50 (US). Analysis ot alligator |rEat sampleslaken in February 1989 f ron trcA 2 and 3 (Table 1) revealeda neanmercury levcl ot 1.66 ppn,which in fish is consideredunsate tor hunanconsmption by HFSstandards. SamDlestaken in June 1989fron 2 and 3 reveatedhigher nErcury levels than those found in the tirst sanple"lQA (Table 2), with a meanmercury tevel ot Z.g2pplr, almoet twice thc level consideredunsatc tor h(mancongrmpt ion of tish. Analysisot alligator meatsanples obtained tron a nuisancealligator hunter in thc Ft. Lauderdalcarea (Tablc 3) revealed a meanmercurv tevel of .74 Ddn. Analysis ot alligator nEat sarnples(n=58) obtained trom licensed alligator mcatprocessors trom north, central, and southFlorida (Table4) revealed a meanrFrcury level of .39 pFi. The HFIS'sate level for tish is basedon trequencyot consmption, age, and sex. Ho/ever, the HRShas not established a safe level of mercury in al Iigator f€at, Sincefish are a rcgula. part of nanypeople,s diet and alligato. rpat ia considereda novelty itst, alligator meat containinga highcr level of mercurymight be safely consuncd. Ho,/ever,since HRShas no safe mercurylevel to. alligator mcat and relatively high tevels of mercury have been found in llCA alligators, the Cotrmissionordered the cancellationot the 1989and 1990alligator harvest in the frcA. Theeconomic loss resulting fron thecancellationwas signiticant. The 1989 harvcst was expgcted to yi€ld a gross value of $270,692(tJS) to O9 licens€dparticipants (Table 5). The loss in .6venueto the state.from BI .l icsTse and tag tees,r/asprojectd to be g27,6io (US) (Table S). The 1990 narvest shoutd have yielded conparablevalues. Al though meat yield representsa signiticant portion of the total ecgnomicvalue of the alligator resource,the majority of the alligator's grosseconofiic vatue is In the hide. Easedoh tg89hide prices, approximatety71% ol an alIigator,s vatuewas attained from the hide , DrscusslcN Thc sourceor sourcesof mercurycontanination of the trcA is not knoin. Severalpossibilities have becn proposed,including runott trom adiacent agricultural fi6lds, leachingof the .|cksoilswhich are characterisiic ot the Evergladesv{et lands that comprisc the iiCA, the burning ot agricultural tields, and tires within the ttAA. Additiona y, Evergta;eslr€t tands a.e characteristically oliggtrophic and have low ph (Sauth Florida Water ManagaientOistrict 1989), which have been reported to increase mercury availability to fish andwi tdlite (Foyatsand Lange 19gO). The hunan health and biological hazards ol |rErcury contaminationof alligato.s are serious, althoughnot totally kno|n at this time. Juvenile at | | gators srhichwere ted meacuayover a 13u/eek pea iod resul-the t-trj ing rn mercury levcls comparabtcto those tound in attigaiois f;; show€dno cl inical symptom3ol adverseeffects (peter; i983). Similarly, no aoverse etfects trom nErcury contaninationto alligators in the Vl6Anave qeen reported. TheFlorida CooperativeFish andWi ldlife FtesearchUnit has an ongorngstudy which is exa.niningal I igator egg viabi tity in Ftorida (Percival et al. 1988). Despite the presenii ot mercury in adult alligators, eggscollected tron the ltCA in 1S88and 1989had one of the hishest.viability rates ot any area sarnpled(F, percival, Fla. Coop.Fish andwi tdt. Res.Unit, unpubl,data). lhc economiclosg resulting fromthe cancellationof the 1989harvest in the ICA was $270,610(tJS). Consequentty, the economicimoact to the statetiridewi ld alligator harvestot widespreidcontanination oi alligators could be potentially crippt ing. The possibility ot a hides only harvest exrsts, however there could be concern over the waste ot part ol the resource. Additionally thc alligator tarmingindustry and the public might bc concernedthat mercurycontarninated iEat fron hides only harvest areas could illegally enter the market. Itiercurycontami nat i on i s apparentI y wi despreadi n Fl or i da,s r,!€tI ands- Dclanyet al. (1988)reported mercury levels in alligator flesh aboveo,s pgrrfron tv'rocurrent alligator harvest areas, Lake larmnia (lrEan=0.61ppm, n:3) and RodmanBe€ervoir (mean=o.Slptrn, n=g), Mercury levels exceeding 0,5 ppn \,!,erefound in alligator esh frorn the liCA in tggg ano nursance alligators tromthree areasof the state containedmercury levels above0.5 pgn, Addit.ionally,.fish containinggreater than 0.5 ptrnot EErcuryuere discoveredin 1989in one current alligator harvestarea, LakeHarney, and 31 other '.!etlands throughoutthe state tFGattFC,Div. of Fish., unpubl. data 1989). lt is probable that alligato.s from thosewe ands also have elevated nrercurylevels. As a result of the widespreadoccurrence of iErcury in Florida's 'retlands, mercury contaninat ion of al I igatorswi I I continue to be a problen. An HRSpolicy statersnt oh the hrrr|anhealth hazardsot 'nercuryin alligator nreat is expectedsoon. At that time, the Co|r'nissionwi ll consider for[ulationof apolicy regardingalligator harvestfronareas where iErcury contaninationot alligator meat is discovered. LITEFATURECITED Barr, J, F. 19E6. Population dynanics of the coflrcn toon (gggb inner) associ ated wi th nErcury-contaminated waters i n nortt[restern Ontaai o, Can.Wi ldl. Serv. Occ. Paper56. Oavid,D. 1989. 1989Al ligator progranupdate. Fla. car€ andFresh Watcr Fish Corm.,@ine3vi lle. Unpubl.Rep. spp. Delany,M- F., J, U. Eell, and S. F. Sundlof. 1988. Concentrationsot contaminantsin lscle ot ArErican alligator in Florida- J. Wildl. Ois. 24:62-66. Eisler, R. 1987, ltlercuryhazards to tish, wi ldlife, and inve.tebrates: a synopticrevifl. U.S, Fish andWi ldl. Serv., Bio, Rep,85(1,i0), 9opp. Faber, E. i952. The evolut ion of chsristry. Ne$,york: nonald press, Goldv{ater,L. J. 1936. FromHippocrates to Ramazzini:Early History of lndustrial iredicine. Ann. ired. Hist. 8:27. .|930. .,affec, B, Crucibles, N6r,York: Simonand Schuster. 3200, Leicester,H. M. 1961. ThehiEtorical backgroundot chernistry. Newyork: JohnlYi ley and Sons, Inc. Ogden,.J. C., W. B. Robertson,G. E. Davis, T, W. Sctmidt. 1974. Pesticidca,polychlorinated biphenyls and heavy|rEtals in upper tood chain levels. EvergladesNational Fark and vicinity. Ecol. Rep.Dt- SFEP74-16, Nat. Tech. Info. Serv., U.S. Oept.Corm, Percival, H. F., A. R. Woodvard,G. R. Masson,and K. G. Rice- 1988, Preliminaryreport on alligator eggviability study. Univ. of Fla. Coop.Fish andWi ldl. Res.Unit, @inesville. Unpubl.Rep- 14pp. Peters, L. J. 1983. Mercuryaccurulation in the Anericanalligator, Al lioator mississiopiensis.M.S. Thesis, tjniv,of Fla., cainesville. Rodgers,J. A.,.Jr. 1989. irercu.y toxicity, contarnination,and presence in Florida. Fla. @ne and Freshwate. Fish conm,,wi ldl. Bes. Lab, Gainesville, unpubl. rep. 1zpp. Foyals, H., and T. Lange- 1990. irbrcury in Florida fish and wi witdt., March/Apri | . Stoneburner, O, L., and J. A- Kushtan. 1984. Heavyrneta I burdens in mertcan crocodile eggs trom Ftorida Bav. Florida, USA. ,J. l8: 192-193. Herp. South Florida WaterManagenEnt Oistrict, l9g9- Surfacewater improvsient and man_agsnent plan for the Evefglades. Teqh. Rep., parr B, vot. lll., (Draft), 41400. ]flhit9, D. H., and E. Cro.nartie. 1985. Bird use and heavy accurulation meral in watorbirds, at dredge aisposat impounaments,corpus christi, Texas. &r . Eiviron. contan.ioxicot. b+,ZSS_aoo. &6A FiSure 1. f4ap of Florida l,later Conservation Areas. Table l. ilorphological characteristics and tErcury levels ol al tigator rcat (l€8), Florida tthter Conservation Areas ($eA), Feb. 6, iS89. Total Snout - Tail Collection length venl gi.th Hg site tt. (m) in (ql|) in (qn) Ser (pFn) IEA2 L-358 8.s (2.1t 12 (1O7' 18.s (47' F 2.80 '17.0 L-35B E.8 (e.1, lo ( 102) (u(]) M '1.23 L-38E 8,6 (2.0) 38 (t7' 16.0 (4r) 1.00 L-38E {.0 (r.2) 21 (61't 9.s (24) 0.44 IEA3 L-67 s-5 (1-7) 39 (99) 18-5 (rt2l 1.E? L-67 6.1 (1-9' 36 (91) 15.0 (41) ui{Di c 7.1 12.2' 41 ( 194) 20.0 (s1) 2.44 MirIi s.2 l2-a't 59 ( 1s0) 2s.0 (63) M 0.78 6 Table 2. ilorphological characterigtica and lEtcury levels ot alligato. rrEat (l€10], Flo.ida Water Conservation Areas (lrcA), \rune7, 1989. Total Snout- wt. CoI lect ion I ength vent girth Ibs site tt. (nl in (qnl in (crn) Sex (Kg. ) Hg(pFrt trcA2 ut58 s-8 (r.8) 34 ( 8E' 10.0 (tlo.6) 41 (18.61 2.5'l u!58 6.,1(2.0 ) 36 ( 91) 16.0 (4s.6) i+it (ls.5) 2.90 u'58 s.3 (1.8) 31 ( 79) | 3.0 (33.0 ) M 23 (10.4) 2.1O 6.6 (2-01 38 ( 9?) 16.0 (40.6) 47 (21.3' 3-88 L35B 7.4 12.3' ,+2 ( 107) 18.0 (45.7) M 72 (36.7) 2.21 rrcA3 l|iai ,ta' CanaI 7.3 12.2' ( 109) 17 143.2' _ 3.58 Uiari CanaI s.0 (2.81 53 (13s) 23 (s8.41 M - 3.58 tliaDi canal E.9 (2.'t) r+1 ( 104) 16.3 (41.4) - 2.37 Miari CanaI 6.0 ( r.8) 38 ( 91) 15.6 (3s.6) F i ari CanaI t.0 (2.1) ,€ ( 1091 15.6 (39.6 ) M - 3.04 Table 3. irorphologicalcharacterisl ics andlErcury l6vcl5 of alligato. rEat (tt19). ttuisanceal I igatorg coI lected f r(lD urban canalg in souttleast Florida, May, 1989. Total length ft. (nt Ser H9 (pF) 7.0 (2.1) tl o.53 6.0 (1.8) M 0..16 7-O (2.11 o.12 7.6 (2.3 ) M 0.3.1 1.3 (2.21 2.52 7.2 (2.21 it s.9 (1.8) tl 0.34 4-9 (1.s) ? 1.36 6.0 (1.8) tl 0.34 7 .2 12.2t ra 0.45 6.2 (1-9) 1.21 s.2 ( 1.61 0.21 6.7 (2.01 tl 0.17 6.6 (2.0 ) u {.8 (1.5) tl o.74 6.7 (2-o) l, 0.70 s-3 {2.5) u 0.8.1 8.0 (2.4) u 2. 15 9.7 (3.0) u 0-29 Table 4. Results of analysis ol nEacury content of al I igato. |rEat t ron al ligator nFal p.ocessors (l{=58) No.th. Central and SouthFlor ida, 1989. Meanntrqury level Capturesit6 SaDplg Size prn (Hg) Ci trus County (r+4) 0.31 Clay County (r}t) 0.15 Ouval County (rcr) o.25 Franklin County (r€1' 0.90 HernandoCounty (r€4) o.42 Lake @unty (rr3l o -21 Lec County (r€2) 0.,f4 Lrt y Countlt (re6, o -21 OrangE@unty (rtz) 0.13 Pasco County ('t19) 0.45 Plnel las County (r*r2) 0.55 Putnan County (r€r) o -20 IvakuI la County (r€2) 0-3s lSag Alligator Sanles, Chqrical Residuet-aboratory, Division of ChqDistry, Arreau ot Food Grades ald Standards, Division of Inspection, Florida OepartrEntof Ag.iculture and Con6tf|ErS€rvices Table 5. Expectedeconqric valu6 (USdo ars) of the t98g al tigator harvest, Florida $bter ConservationAreas 2 and 3- EcondnicValue to part icioants value of h ides 1190,882.00 value ol [Eat 979,8O0.00 crose valuo to participants 39 t270,682.00 value per part icipant 16, s/to.00 Econfitic Value to the State Li c€nse fees (ttgg, ls,750.00 Agents leee (titss8) l't,900.00 Tag tecs (tF53A) lls,960.00 Total $27,610.00 SURVETLLANCE METEOD FOR MONITORING AI,LIGATOR NESTS R. ltc&rard Hun! Department of Herpetoloqy zoo Atlanta, Atlanta, Ga. 30315 Abseract: I describe a field tested method for taking surveillance photoqraPhs of alligator nest siles. The surveillance system is weatherproof and produces high quality photographs under all 1i9ht conditions. Itunt Crocodilian nests attract predator activity but predators are seldcm positively ident:fied. In Iouisiana predators of alligator eggs occasionally have been identified by obgerving tlre incident and by monj-toringr dyed alligat.or egg shells in raccoon scat (Joanen,1970; FLening, Palmisano and Joanen, 1975). In Okefeltokee Sn'amp Xodak Instamatic camerag with nouse-trap shutter releases \tere rnouttted on stakes and positioned near nesC mounds; photographs identified rice rats, Oryzomys palustris; raccoons, Procyon lotor and black bear, Ursus americanus preying on alligator eggs (Hunt, 1989). In Everglades, Florlda surveillance cameras usi.ng infrared filn did not identify predators of eggs but did record next excavation and neonate transport by an American crocodile, Crocodylus acutus (Ogden and Singletary, I973). My paper describes a surveillance system using a 35 mm singte tens reflex camera with infrared trigger. I,IETIIODSAND MATERIALS Canon caneras (Canon U.S.A. Inc. One Canon Plaza, Lake Success, N.Y. 11042) were used to nonitor six nests in Chesser and crand Prairies of the Okefenokee National wil-dlife Refuge, ca. U.A.A. Chesser-crand. Prairie is an aquatic macroPhyte mafsh. Components of Surveillance System 1. Canera- Canon T-70. fhis rnodeI is no longer manufactuled but the leEs expensive T-50 can alEo be useal. Estirnated expense for a used T-70 or new T-50 body is $100-200. Lens- Canon FD 50 mm, f 1..8=S50rFD 28 run f 2.8-$50 Ilunt FD 24 nm, f 2.8-51.50 3. Extension cord- Canon 1.000, T-3 , 10 n - $30. 4. Flash- Vivitar 2000 (Vivitar Corporation, Santa Monica calif.90406-2100, U. s.A. ) - S30.00 Diving bag- EWAMarine( Pioneer , Westmont N.J. 08108=S120 Battery vrall clock-$I0 Parts to eraterproof transmitter- PvC pipe I7.5 cm K 5 PVC screw cap, glass lens. 8. Parts to waterproof receiver-Clear plastic pipe 15 cm X 5 cm. tlilo PVC screw caps. 9. Transnitter and Receiver- Canon LC-2- S150 10. Parts to mount catnera. transEi-tter and receiver- wooalen stakes stainless steel- bolts and rubber v.ashers. 11. Umbrefla L2. Filn- Fuji Chrome 100 and 400; Kodachrome 54, Ektachrome 200 and 400. Batteries- Camera= two AA alkali.ne (24 hr use chaoge 2x week) Flash- four AA afkafine (24 hr use change lx day) Transmitter-tro AA alkaline (24 hr use change 3x week ) Recei.ver-one lithium 6v(24 hr use change 2x week) 14. Power Pack ( for flash j-f batterj-es not used- Simon Sdpercharger (Ti!tr Sitnon Inc. San Rafael Ca. 94901)= $70. Dessicant -Silica 9e1 beads ci 1i--^ha +rh6 IIunt Assenbly _of Waterproofing Components Holes \^/ere punched in the diving bag to mount the camera and to connect the extension cord from camera to receiver. A hole was drill-ed in each pLastic pipe to receive the mounting bolts of the transmitter and receiver. SilLccne tape was used to seal the threaded caps of the plastic pipes. A clear glass lens was 91ued Co the end of the PVC pipe containing the transrnitter. Diict tape was wrapped around the extension cord to protect it from abrasion. Operation of Surveillance System The camera rras placed ilt the diving bag and, i-n i{ide-angle program rnode, 1t r^ras focused on the nest from a distance of 2-5 n. The flash unit was mounted on the camerars shoe and was set for manual operation. The transmitter attd receiver were set on auto-sensing mode and positioned I-3 m from each other, .5-1.5 n frorn the negt mound and 3-5 n from the camera. The transmitter and receiver were sealed inEide the plastic pipes. fhe height of the transrnitter and receiver above level giround or water rltase:: .25-1 m. Height of camera above water or level ground was l-2 m. To resist dislodgement, nounti.ng stakes of canera, transmitter and receiver rdere pushed deeper thaD .5 m into substrate. To insulate film from solar heat, cameras r^rere shaded with a small ur|brella o! placed under abailable shrubs. In operation, the receiver released lhe u4 Hunt shutter of the camera each time an aninal blocked the infrared 1i9ht path belween transmitter and receiver'(Fig.I). Repeated movements of the aninal through the light path produced up to 36 expoaureE. To record the cime of the exposure a waLl clock !'tas placed in view of the camera. RESULTSAND DISCUSSION At the sj.x nests, the surveillance caneras exposed 109 photoqraphs, identifying alligagots tending nests and bears preying on e99s. It !.ras thought that predators of eggE would ocqasionally damage surveillance equipment but only one inci-dent occurred! a bear bit through white Pvc piPe protectitrg a transmitter. rt was Possi-ble that the bear aEsocialed the white pipe with a white alligator egg. rt \tas thought that flash units 'toutd affect behavior of animals preying on eg:gs. seventy nine of 85 photograPhs identifying black bears were exposed in daylight hours: it \tas Possible that bears reacted !o the initial ftash of liqht in darkness and Left Che nest before exposing additional Photographs ' To avoid the use of, flash, inflared filn could have been used for night time surveillance but in daylight hours solar heat can deEtroy rhis type of filn. It 'ras thought that the sound of the cameras' motoralrives tllight affect animaf behavior bul this was not clearly demonstrated. sealing the camera in a diving bag insul.ated the notor drive and ehe resulting sound was itlaudiblegohuriaBs:.a!:a-,di5tanceof5mfromthecamera'Sulveillatlce cameras did not show all-igators and bears in the same photoqraph Hurtt but in one daylj.ght photograph a bear ran before comsrunrng eggs. If the bear lrasnrt respondingr to the sound of the carnerars notordfi.ve it was possible that it iras reacting to an alligator outside the vieting ranq:e of the lerrs. wj.d.e angle lenses trith a fleld of view of qreater than 80" shoufal be used in situations \rhere the canera must be placed a distance of 2 m or less frorn the nest. Thus, the FD 24 nm l-ens is especially valuable for documentj-ng interactions betnreen alligators and bears. In avian and ma[unalian studies tesearchers have assenbfed triggering devices and nodified cameras for sulveillance work. lllontana biol-ogists used surveillance calneras lrith infrared sensors detecting body heat, to photograph grizzly bearE; as bears approached bait stations, the Eensors triggered the camera and fLash (Turbak,199O). In Nepal, Hillard (1989) uEed a survej.Ilance camela for identification of snow leopards; a pressure plate was wired to a 35 nuncamera and placed in the cats' path of travel. Wlten the leopard stepped on the pressure plate the shutter r^rasreleased. After AA batteries failed to provide consistent poerer, a 6 volt battery was used. Although a surveill.ance c.lmera was in place 56L nights, only a few photograpbs $,ere produced frcm two dozen visits by cats. Savidge and Seibert (1988) described a surveillance method for recording predalion at bird nest using Kodak disc caneras (Eastman Kodak Co. Rocheste!, N.Y.). The disc cameras lrere t i-red to a tli.gger consigtinq of an infrared tight-eniting diode and photoreceiver supported by plexiglasg arms ,46 Hunt that produced a beam directly above the nest. When a predator entered the nest, it interrupted the beam of light and triggered the camera. Maximum possible distance betvteen the transmitter anil receiver of this surveillance Eystem j-s 30 cm. The Canon surveillance sygtem should be used in situations \dhere high quality, sequential photographs are degired for interpretation of crocodilian nest depredati.oos. The systen can be easily waterproofed and the factory made conponents are dependible in extremes of temperature ancl humidi-tv. Acknowledgenents. I thank Don Perkuchin and Larry Mallard and their staff at Okefenokee National wildtife Refuge for their cooperation. r recej-ved fund.s from Frj-ends of zoo Atlanta. HunC LITEFATURE CITED Fleming, D. M., A. w., Palmisano and T. Joanen. l-976- Food habiCs of coaEtal marsh raccoons with observationg of allj.gator nest predation. Proc. Ann. Conf. Southeast. Assoc. came and Fish Comm.30:348-357. Itillard, Dar1a. 1989. Vanishing Tracks. Arbor House willian Morrow, New York. Hunt, R. H. 1989. Predation of all.igator nests in Okefenokee Snamp National Wildl-ife Refuge. Proc. 8th Working Meeting of tbe Croc. Spec. Gp. I.U.C.N. c1and, Srri.tzerland. Joanen, T. 1970. Nesting ecology of alligators in Lousiana, Proc. Ann. Conf. southeast. Assoc. Game and Fish cornm. 23| 141-151. Ogden, J. and Caulion Singletary. 1973. Night of the Crocodile. Audubon !"lagazine. Savidge. J. attd :T]lomas Seibert. 1988. An infrared trigger and camera t'o i.dentify predators at artificial nests. J. Wil-dl. ldanage 52(2) .29L-294. Turbak, J. L990. fhe great wi.1d1ife census. NationaL Wildlife 28134-37. LV-1 ConnonT 70 or Tronsmitter T Ii { { LV - a Receiver loM Extensio n cord Fig. l. Connoncomero surveillon ce system. An onimol blockinglhe light poth from lhe ironsmitfer, signols lhe receiver lo releo se lhe comero's shutier. w 1oth l{o.ki.ng Meeii.ng IUCN / CSG-neeting, Gainesville 23.-27. April 1990 IPPROPRIATE SOLUTIO S FON TEE UTIIIITERNUPIEDUARRIIIC OF CNOCODILIINS. TITEIN Sf,]lIS AXD LEATEEN PRODUCTS Dr' Dletrich Jelden F.F.CerEan Sclenliflc authori!y lo CITES c/o Bundeaatrt filr Ernahruag und Forstwirlschaft Adickesaflee 40 D-6000Frankfurt a. M. 1 {ilh this paper it is dainfy intended to encourage lhe discussion on hoir an uninterrupled narking systeo for crocodilians and tbeir skins, starting froo a country of origin u[Li]. the flnaL producl €nds up ttilh lhe consuner sonelrhere else in the rorldr could look like and lo show posslble solutions withln the scope of CIIES' LeEaL requireoelts accordlng to CIIES ArticLe vI-? of the gonvention on Internaiional lrade in protected Endangered lpecies (CITES) provides lhat cfTES specioens or any recoSnizable part or derivative lhereof may be narkecl. Since 1975 wherl CITES eniered into force parties have in- creaslngLy recoooenclecl ihal in cerlain fieLds llke i'e' crococlile ranchLng projecls or lhe caocodj-le quota sys!eln' lhe export and ioport should only be allowed if the specinens are lrarked. Already at the 8. DeeLinS in Quito in 1985, bbe luclrl_ Crocodlle Specj.allst croup has denancled a narking of al] sklns noving in !,orld trade. This coufd conlrlbule conslderab.Iy towards bettei congrols ln internatjonal lrade and render 1t nuch dore diffj.cult !o take 1l1ega1ly anlnals f.oo the lrilci and export their sklns. AdditionaL provlsj.ons reFulatlna the oarklllg of caocodilians and their skins itt trade accoldlnE to CITES l"larking of crocodiLj.an skins ras for the first ti[re agreect upon al lhe 2nd Confe.ence of the Parties 1n San Jose, C6sta Rica in 1979 by adoptj.na CITES-Resotution 2.12. Horever, this nfarDing-re sol ut ion,, conlains no inforoation on hon Lhis oarking should Look Iike. 0n1y dut'lng lhe 4th Conference to the pal.ties 1n Bo!s$ana in 1983, Ziobabre succeeded in doen-fis!ing 1ts l,li1e- popuLation crocodile pursuant to "ranchlng-resolutionil 3.15 fron Appendix I to Appeidl.x 11. Fron that tt.ne on, crocodilian skLns frorn Zidbabrae rere coooerciali.zeci rlth narks affixed upon theo as provided for in Resolution A renarkabl"e step fornard sras nade, rhen during the 5lh Conference to the Parties Resolution 5,16 $as adopted, 81ving exacl details on oj.niroun requirenents for marking specidens from approved ranching projects. This resolulion very clearly states, Lhat lhere should be a uniforE marking systen. Durin8 the sane confelence, ihe contracting pafties adopted anothea resolution, thal is Resolutlon 5'21' slating lha! lhe specidens tahlch are to be conlDercia.l'ized or derivaljves thereof have lo be oarked' acco.ding Co the speclal criteria llhich oust be fulfiffed for do[ng.adlng a specles froo Appendix I to Appendix II under a yearly quo!a oana8eoent. This aesolution does dot slaie how this markinS shoulcl look Like, but thls has been explained 1n oore deiaiL i.n two no!ifIca!ions of !he cITES-Secre!aria! i e' No. 354 and 375. j.n Ai the 6lh Conference Lo the Partles otlarja in 198?, fuather innovations weae nade conceaning lhe oa'king of crococlili.an sklns. These lnnovations were lald doHn in Resolution 6'17, iegulating the procedure for narkj'ng crocodiflan skins ln quoba countrles' and Resolulion 5'21 re8uLating the apptlcation of the unlforn lnarking sysiedr fo. skins orlginating fron registered breedin8 operatlons' The lates! nesolutlon deaLiltg i{ith narking 'equLrenenls for specinens and lheir parts in trade itilh populations both in Appendix I or Appendix lI was adopled at the 7th CITES Conference 1989 in Lausanne' This Resolution 7.12 recoBoends adong olhers for live caplive bred - Appendix I specineas of hiSh value for lnstance Gavi'af1s - Ean8eti,cus or Crocodylus intermedius lhe use of codecl ni.crochip j.oplants on a lrla] basj.s. The above oentioned consi.der'ations shon lhal crocodilian skins or 11ve capllve bred Appendix I speciDen of hl8h vaLue have only lo be narked accordj.ng Lo various CITES- negulatj,ons lf tbey cone fron a ranching-pro j ec t , an approved bieeding opeaatlon o. a country rhich has beeo gaanted an anauaL quola accordlng lo Reso]uti.ons 5.21 and 7.11. Tabl.e 1 shors the countries of orj.gin and all crocodilian species concerned Fhich have Lo be oarked 1f inte.natlonaLly t.aded. Applied r€thods for parkiaa crocodllla! hj.des The lag uhj.ch 1s uaed in nost couniries of origj.n for oarklng crocodlllall skins has been clevelopped in Lhe United States and l'aa firat applied for narklng the akins of lhe Aner ican-a1l igator . The tag is a plastic loop, {h1ch once altachecl cannot be redovecl {Llbout destroying eiLher the tag or lhe skin. These lags are big enough to bear a fulL nuDber code and could be fasteied in a dalural openlnS of the skin, llke for inslance the cLoacaL openrnS. AdvantaEe: The plastic Lags are relatively secure against faLsification, easy Lo appLy and resj.sb oosl of the processing operatj.ons to which a rept:Le skin is subjected; they could also be used for lden!ificalion of entire, stuffed speclrdens. Di.sadvanla8e: Il is necessary to change over lo anoLher systen of marking for reptile products fol. further processlng vrhich prevents continuous nonitoring (l{eIscir, 1987) . liilh the excepLj.on of AustraLla aod ZlDbabrle, oost of the countries oentioned ln Table 1 use the Unlted Statesr plastlc tags for dar.klng thel. skins. The ranclllng paoJect of Papua Ner 0uinea includea lhe export of tlro differenl species of crocodiles. The counlry uses plastic tags nith dlfferent colours foa lhe different specles. all skins of faeEhta ter-crocodlles ' Crocodvlus novaeSuineae are oarked {1th Saeen tags t,hile the akj.ns of safLwaler crocodiles, C. po!'osus receive red lags (CITES- Nb!. 470, 1988). The pLastic Lags whj.ch are afflxed upon skj.ns faoo the Auslralian ranching p.oject clj.ffer j.n ils general appearattce fr"oo Lhe U.S.' tags.Australi,a Llses two app.oxinabely reciangular snall plaslic plales (ca. 4 x 2,5 c!t) havin8 a pfastic flap on one of lhe 1on8 sides which serves for seallng both parts togeiher. So ubat Ls the inforaatlon printed on lhe ta8s ooving in lrade? Pursuan! to CITES-ResoI u ! ion 5.'6, !he 'uniforo rdaaklnS-sys len i requl.res only the IoS-Code fo. the coun!ry of ori,gin, an unique identlfication nuDber and lhe year of production. Afl LaBS presently ln use fulfill these requirenen!s and are even Eore speclflc than lhat. The Australlan tags - so-calLed rAllflex-lags' - even codtaln additional inforoations, i.e. an abbieviaiion for the species frod nhich the skin has been laken and display of the 1o8o of the sbate-{ildlife authorily of Queensland or lhe Northern Terrllory (CITES-Noi, 406, 1986). AL1 countries using the U.S. r tags slale nore or less as in Table 2 listed lhe aane kind of inforoation on lbei. Iabels: Table 2 i IIFongtllo 0{ U.S. PLTSTIC rAcS - Abb.eviatlon CITES - I0S couoLay code - Species code, i.e. rNILr for Crocodylus niloticus or rCTnI fof llliaator dissiasippiensLs - Iear of export - Serial identificalLon nuDbea The tags on crocodiLian skins originatinS froo South African farns do also comply wiLh rrequireoents of the uniforD oarking sysleior provided for in CITES-Resolution 6.21. As additional inforDation lhey state lhe nane of the farD and the reSialratj.on nunber lnhich has been given by the CITES-Secrelariat. ExistinF oethods of barkioa crocodllian leath€r Drooucas As far as lhe author of this report knors, apart froo lhe oarking sysLerds accepted by lhe responslble nanagellent authoritj.es in Auslralia and in Lhe Federal RepubLic of Gernany lhere are no other j.nternational oarking syste[ra for crococlilian leather products which comply uilh CITES regulalions. Finished products f.oo crocodilian leather and othei .eptile3 can be narked t,.ith an ldentificalion tag thich is altached to less obvious parts of the producl' If the ldentiflcalion code on the Lag ls checked via a ceniral coopuler' the transitlon fron lbe narking of lhe raw oaterial to llre oarklnS of tlte flnished product iE ensured riih sufficient reliabltity (Jelden in press). Disadvantaae: It is necessary and obviously oot lo avold td chan8e lhe Barklng systen froa tags on lhe skins to anolher systen i.n order to ensure continuous narkinS' If the Us-pLasttc tags on the skins redain attached to the iaif-ti.p until the skln has been tanned ancl finlshed then onLy a snall part of the skin reoalns unfinished' In this case ihe Us-tag t,lill onLy be exchanged to another narking systeii rben the skj.lt 1s cul lnto pieces to Danufacture a particular product I'ik€ i,e. handbaga, bells ancl others. E lstinE nethods for narkina IlYe crocodlu.ans Varlous Bellrods of Earkilr8 li.ve caocodil'ians have been described 1n lhe past, Like de!a1 or plastic narkerE aitached to taiL or neck sclltes, EarkinS viLh waler resistanl col,ours, hol- and freeze-brandlnS' clipping of scutes, photoSaaphic docudentation or ioPLanlation of a code-nunber bearing !d,crochj.p by rdeans of a disposable needfe (Anon. 1989, Honegger, 1979). When Baeater nudbers of live crocodiliaos are intended to be exported for lhe pet- or ranch iig-indus try , the adioals shouLd at Lhe latest be narked before lhey are exported. In oy opinion, the only tHo \rays for doing lhls are lhe application of oetal-oarkeas or the oicro- chip-aysten. Metal-Earkers have already proved highly successful for lhe narking of sea Lurlles (Balazs & CilDa.tin 1985). Tbese narkers consist of a oonrustj.nS netal strlp, r{hich is closed rilh Lhe help of special pllers and a pin rhich c;nstilutes the connexion rith tbe anillat lissue, A LeLter-nunber code statlng all infornation glven by the uniforo darkinS systeo or other data nay be stanped into the oelal strlp. Yllh crocodlles Lhe tal]. is particularLy snited for affixlng lhe oarker. AdvantaSe: l{hen using nonrustlng oaterial the durabill.!y of lhe narker is very good, and lrhen it has been affixed in lhe rlght pLace the .lsk of looslng j.t is very sDal1. Disadvantaae: An lnfection due to darking the correspond- ing part of the body cannol be excluded; horever, nilfr expert handlinS the rj.sk of an infection ls very srnalf. The naak nars lhe anioals appearance. Accordlng lo $,hat re knor Loday, the eicrochip systell is lhe nost universal and reLj.abte oethod for narking tive anlnaLs. This incLudes a Dicrochlp edbedded in bio- pLa3tics Hhich is ioplan!ed inro lhe anloaL wi.th Lhe help of a hypoderoj.c needle. The code-nunber contained lhe chlp can be recalled by a reading device. Advantaae: The systeo 1s relallvely secure against faLsiflcation. it is vel"y durable and doesnrt haadlcap or nar lhe aninal as lhe chlp Srows togetller with lhe surroundlnS lj.3sue. Dj.sadvantage: The reading devlce has onLy a very short ran8e and the chips aae stiLl' faj.rly exPensive (^5'_ US in 1989). . Ob-iectives and reouireBents of an unilterr'upted darkipg syttep FortunateLy lhe narklng tags and identlflcalj'on systema used j.n Lhe diffe.ent count.ies of orj-8i.n are ellher iclentical or aL leaEt sini.Ia!"' But what are lhe baslc reouireDents lo be nel by a Earklng systeb? In orcier to facilitaLe coopliance wlih Lbe CITES- reguLations the systeo ousl be atandardized. It should be of slople desj.gn' praclicaL, easj.Ly attachable and re8istratlon shouLd be poa31b1e. Il should be easy .o cooPrehend- IBitation or faLsiflcation 3hould be as difflcult as Possible. As far as oe know today, lhe above Eentioned requlrenellls are nos! tj.kely to be fulfl]fed by a physical but no! by a cheoicaf narklng sysleo. With ils g!9:l9glg-gll!39 ranching proposal Faance subnitted a darkinS system on a chenicaL basls aL Lhe 6th Conference Lo lhe partles in 198?, one of the reasons hy lhia proposal had been rejected t'as the unre].iabllity of lhe chenical earkinS. The above Dentloned considerations and conEents shor tha! an unlnteraupted darkin8 syste! could be pul inlo paactice as follows: 1. Hunters and skin Lradeas in the countales of oriSin shouLd requlre a li,cence Sranted by the Sovernoeni. Tradeas should have to keep an account of lheir deals. coufd be granted on the baaia of . Llcences for hunters an annual quoLa. Ll,cences in lhls case shouLd only be valid for a certaln !i0e peaiod. 2. 0n1y skins and ]1ve aninals of a certain size cateSory shouLd be perDitted for exPor't. 3. Tags Ehould indl.cate follorring lnfordation: - I0S counlry code; - Specles code; - Serial identification nuobe.; - Production year; - Countales \"aitb an annual quota systen: the actual quota and ihe a6tuat nu&ber of the akin should be stated, e.8. 1000/811 uoufd dean thal a country has an annual quota of 1OO0skins and lhat lhe 811ih ski.n iE lntended for exporl; Descr'i.ption of product, e-g. flanks, betfyskin, handbag; Nuober of officj.al inspecLor; Actual size of skin or anloal tnt,ended for export. 4, For sklns, flanks etc. oaLy the ',Us-tags', should be used aa paevious experience has shor{n clearly !hal lhese best wi.thstand the strain of cheoical. ancl mechanical pl.ocesEing. 5. ReSular ad hoc-inspections of tannerj.es, skin clealers and hunters should be conducEeo. 6. Skins o. llve anioals intedded for export shouLd be inspected prior to thei. export by an officj.al inspeclor of a wi.ldlife conservatlon authoriLy, in order bo check pe.oi.tted elze calegorles, type of species etc. After tbe inspection offlcial inspectors oay affix a tag ai the far end of the skin, e.g. the end of, lhe !ail. The far end ousl be chosen for processinS 7. For aarking l1ve aniEals intended for lhe pet-lracte or ranching-industay oetal tags or nicrochips shou].d be applied in a sinilar way as for skills. An official inspector should affix the tags at the taj.l before expoat. 8. CfTEs-export docudenLs should noL be issued v,rithout prevlous inspection and Darklng of lhe skins or live anloa1s. Ta8 nunber.s should aflrays be staled on CIIES- export-doctrrlrelrts . 9. Unused lags of a specifi.c year Day nol be uaed the followln8 year or any other year. Surplus oarkers eust be destroyed. The counlry of origin Dust report on the use of Lhe oarkers 1n lts statistics which are to be conplled annually. 10. Plastic lags afflxed upon the akina have io renain in pface until production of the flnished produc! starts. Fu.ther marking of finished producls should be carried oul in accoadance wj,lh a systen coaresponding lo the one appLied in the Federal, RepubLic of Ce.dany. Fi[al codlents An effectively worki.ng darkin8 systerd is not only an executive instruoent nilhin the acope of CITES and j.t does nol only have to be that. As a kind of auihenlicily- seal or lrade-nark !t could also help lo docuDent the seriousness of a state's efforts to adhere to lhe regulaLions of CITES. CoEpliance wj.lh a requireEent, such aa it has been put forirard by lhe IUCN-Crocodll.e Specialist Group, lhal aLl crocodilian skins movi.ng in lrade ousL be narked wlthout exception irrespeclive of rhether lhey cone fron ranchinS, faroin8 or other nanageEenl prolecls, doesn'l &ean an unjusilfiable burden for a stateg' enforceneni bodies. Proper lracle control.s could even help lo paooote narking syslens !o becone a symboL for qualicy nol only ln countries of ori81n but also ln consuner stales. Furiher- dore effeciively rorkj.nS oarklnS systeos contrl buI e considerably, lo excLude all Lhose skins fion inlernaliona.I lrade which are of ilLegal or18in. >a Q a!'t e I = =< x Ei FF o- (J = o 6 ;s ,.L = *g l1| 0i rr rlJ !qr!q o o oo{r o c i, ut ur 14 oo .t cl |r ur (r o okor (J .4 o o o l,r $ l, o! o o u o ul 9ta la o o 5.r.d !{r4.4 5.( '.1 56 r'r'r'd 5F ! OoJ ! o ! { OO - r L o o o ol!\ o o o o o o o o ol! 0 0 0 0 0E! o o f r t - r i r k r q> - - r o i rl!o i o r ! i i o ! oo r'4 4 { odc - - i !t q q qq qqa Q q q E CtJt E o. q q or C c c E E E c c O U U UUO O O O O Q O U U UQ O U U U UUO < U O 2 (tdr, 'a (' a (,.i r o It ru q o! 4 C O ,4 .n 6r .a.4 Z l!4 r 3 F r! r! or 0r o, it 6.d o ! (r'!a !'ioocc,r!o5>Ed atc'i, z .ior!'rnr('.!.nt .!! 6 N l @ | e a -cO r coii N o Elgc(' Anonyous( 1981): nanchlng. Resoluilon of lhe Conference of the Parties No. Conf, 3.15. CITES-Secretar iat; Lausanoe ' Anon. ( 1983): Proposals subtrtlttedpursuan! !o nesoLutlon Conf. 3.15 on ranching rTransfer froo Appendix I to Appendlx II of the Zlnbablre population of Crocodylus nlloticus' . Anencloeni !o Appendlces I and II of the Convenlion. CITES-Secretaria L; Lausanne. Anon, ( 1985)I Taade in aanched specinens. nesolulion of the Conference of the Par!ies No. Conf. 5. 16. CITES-Secre lar lat ; Lausanne. Anon. ( 1985): Special crlterj.a for lhe lransfer of taxa fro! Appendix I lo Appendix IL Resolulion of lhe Conference of tbe Parlies No' conf. 5.21. CITES-SecretaalaL; Lausanne. Anon. ( 1985): Pioposals subidllied Pursuanl lo Resolution Conf' 3.15 on raoching I Australlan subdlssion to CITES on Crocodylus porosusr. Anendrdent to Appendj.ceaI and II of Lhe ConvenLion. CITES-SecreLariaL; Lausanne. Anon. ( 1985): TaBBi.ng of crocodile specj.oens subiect lo an export quota. Notiflcalion to the Partles No. 364. CITES- Secrelaalat; Lausanne. Aaon. (1986): Taggj.ng of crocodile speclnens subject lo an export quota. Notificali.oa !o lhe Parties No. 375. CITES- Secretariat; Lausanne. Anon. ( 1985): Trade in aanched specinens fro[ Australia. Notlflcablon Lo the Secretaaiat; Lausanne. Anon. ( 1987): InpleBenlallon of lhe export quotas for Nile and sall!,raier crocodil,e ski.na. Resolutlon of the Conference of the Parti,es No. Conf. 6. 17. CITES-Sec.etar iat ; Lausanne. Anon, ( 1987): Control procedures for colnroerciaL captive breedinS operations ' ResoLution of lhe Conference lhe Pariles No. Conf. 6. 2 1. CITES- Secretariati Lausanne, Anon. (1989): SpeciaL criteria for lhe lradsfer fron Appendix I lo Appendix II. ResoLulion of lhe conference of lhe Parties No. Conf. 7.11. CITES- Secaetariat; Lausanne. Anon. ( 1989) : Marking requireDents for irade in specineng of taxa vrlth populaLi.ons ln both Appendix I and Appendix I1. nesolutlon of lhe conference of lhe Paflies No. Conf' 7. 12. CITES-Secretariat ; Lausanne. Balazs, G.H. & cildartin, itl.G. ( 1985): A su8gested nodifj.calion of LagglnB p.Iiers. IIJCN Marine Turtle llewsletier :l-i 2-3. lionegger, R,E. (1979): Marking anphibians and .ePLiLes for future idenilflca!ion. ]af. zoo Iearbook 19| 14-22i Dorches!er. Hutton, J.l.t. et aLii ( Edts. ) ( 1987): Crocodile danageoent alrd ntiLlzation 1n the SADCC aegion of Africa. Proceedin8s of the SADCC lrorkshop on crocodlle nanageoen'L and uiilizatlon; Kariba, Zi0bablre. Jelden, D- (in press): nen narkinS systen for leather products nanufactured of skins of CITES listed I.eptile species. Proceedj,ngs of the 9th Working I'teetj.ng of the IUC{/SSC - Crocodi.le Speciallst Group. IUCN Publications New Series i C1and. StonebouEe, B. ( 1979) : AniDaL Darking. Recognllion oarkj.ng of aninafs ln WeIsch, H. ( 1987): The narkj.ng of speciDens of aninaL and pLant species included in lbe appendices lo lhe r Convention ln InLeanational Trade in gndangered Species of l{ild Faunaand Florar. - cour. Forsch- Ins L . Senckenberg 9lf! 132 pp; Frankfurl a. M. AI,LIGAIOR FAXI.I DESIGNS TT IOSISIANA Ted Joanen and lrarry l.lcNease Louisiana Deparlnent of wildl-ife and Fisherles crand chenier, Louisi.ana ?0543 Presented at the I.U.C.N., Survival Servj-ce Cornnission crocodile special-ist croup ApriL 23-2?, 1990 cainesville, Florida Alligator Farn Designs in !,ouisiana Ted Joanen and Larry McNease Iouj.siana Departnent of wiLdl-ife altd Fisheries crand chenier, Louisiana 7064 3 Introducti.on The Louisiana Department of, Wildlife and Fisheries regiulates all,igator faroing under Title 56, revLsed 19a9 edj.tion, a1on9 with CoEDission rules and regulations. previous attenptg at alligator faming consisted of housing young alligators in outside pens. Grorrth rates were sporadic and in nost cases these pens uere overstocked. Size classes lrere uixed and oftentimes, fi.ghting and cannlbalisn resulted. Overal-L, growth lras onLy slightly increased as caDpared to nild aLLigator gro!.!h. Uortality anongst hatching year young lrere usuall.y quite high, and as a resul.t, none of these earller farns vere considered profitalle. fhe [ajority failed to deuonstrate that alligators could be raised coDmercially in captivity and therefore soon lrent out of business, Temperature is an inportant factor governj.ng growth and j,t varies considerabLy throughout the range of the aLLigator. In southern Louisj,ana, Chabreck and Joanen (L979, reported approxinately seven Eloiring Eonths per year for iDDature alligators and Joanen and ltcNeaee (1971) reported sinitar gro!.th periods for adults. Coul-son et aL. (19?3) demonstrated that under l-aboratory conditions, alligators did not initiate feeding activities at teoperatures belo!, 72o F. It !,ras not untiL the advancenent of controLl-ed environnental. chaDber culture (Coulson, et aI. 1973) that alligator farning began to denonstrate itself as an econonlcal,l,y sound businesr venEure. Experinental Desiqns CouLsonrs 1973 studies denonstrated captive reared alligators fron heated environnent had a superj.or body condition to vild a]l-igators (they vere 10* heavier per given length) and rere tnice the lenEth of !,r11d alliEators of the same aEe. Joanen and llcNease (1976) reported all,igators fed a ground fish diet rhile in controLl-ed chanbers naintained at 82o to 85o F converted 49.58 of the food consumed (dry weight) into body nass over a 33-nonth period. Afte! 26 nonths of intensive feeding. fenales averaged 42.7 Lbs. and lrere 5r3( vhil-e tlales rrere 56.5 lbs. and 5r5nrr L0* of the al-ligators neasuled lrere rore than 6' . In lruisiana, growth rates under naturaL conditj.ons lroul.d requj.re at least 4-5 years for an alLigator to react' 5r in length (Chabreck and Joanen 1979). }|artality under enviroruental chaDber culture ltas found to be quite low. survivaL rates fron hatchinE to the end of lhe third year averaged 95* (Joanen and UcNease 1976). The advantages of using the heated gron out systet0 as conpared to natural ponds \rere docurnented as increased food conversion rates, growth, and survivabiLity. This all.owed the faraer to prgduce a narketable si.ze anira]-, 4-I/2 to 5' lonE, in leEs than t!,ro years. As a result of these gtudies, the Louisiana Departnent of wildlife and Fisheri.es Dandates the use of controlled environmental, chaDbers on al,l far[s for housj.ng aninalg up tg 4l in lengrlh. These grolr-out sheds. according to Louisiana regulationg, lugt be capable of naintaininq a constant miniDun tenperature of A5o F. Consideralle resources have been invested by the Louisiana DepartDent of wildLife and FisherieE in an extenslve resealch progran ained at establishing the feasibility of raising alLigators j.n captivj.ty for contlergial and conservation purposes. I{olrever, the lack of source for suitable farn gtock hag severely linited the expansl,on of all,iqator faming operations in the ltnj.ted states. The Louj.siana DepartDent of Wtldl.ife and Fisherles reaLized this need and has provided stock off state-owned lands since 19?7. Faners !re!e gLven hatchlings annually until their breeding stock became sexually nature and capabl.e of producing the nunber of young requiled to becone self-sustaiting. However, the state sponsored hatchling supplenent prograr has not satisfied the denand for ne!, far[ exf,ansion i.n Louisiana. As a result, allj.gator egg collectiong frou private 1and9 ( ranching) lrere a]lolred for the first tiDe in 19ad. the total- nuDber of farns in LouiEialta expanded frou 15 in 1985 to over 85 in 1989. Expansi.on continues and the totaL nulber of fatxs in Louisiana lrill reach 1oo i.n 1990. Operational Desidn As a result of the license requi.renents, callinq for the use of qontroLled enviroruentaL chaDbers by Louisiana fartners, tvo basj.c shed degi.g:ns have evolved. The most conmonly built shed consigts of singl.e layered concr€te vats, encl.osed lrlth netal sides and roof. the shed is wel-l j.nsulated and heated by t!.o sources. One source of heat i9 throqgh lrater piping in the concrete f]oor spaced approxj.nateLy 2 ' apar! and running the entire Lengrth of the buil.ding. A hot water heater furnishes the heat source and is controll.ed by therDostats. The second source of heat cor0es rrhen the vats ale cleaned and refilled with irater. Ileaters furnish inconing hot water nixed sith tap water and enter the tanls at approxiDately 89o F. This :0aj.ntains constant tenperature vithin the Ehed on a daiLy basis. This lethod prevents the tenperature lag created by fiLling r,ith tap lrater. This fill water heat source is used only once a day when !he tanks are refilled. Each shed is constructed lrith a center rraLklray vhich affords easy access to a series of concrete vats on either side. Feeding platforr0s for each pen are accessed lhlough doonrays adjacent to the center !ralk!.ay. Crated drains extend the entire length of the building and are controlled by a connon value, The drains are set usual,ly in the center of €ach pen. Each vat has rounded cornerE, thus preventing pile-ups and drovnj.ngs which [ight othenrise occur during the refilling process. pile-up and drowning has been denonstrated to occur lore often in the hatching year class than in any other aqte group. the second nost colulonLy used desigm is the stacked fibergJ-ass trays concept. Several farners have used thig space saving j.dea and [ay have as lrrny as four ].eve1E of fiberglase trays in a single shed. Heating is accoDplished as descrj.bed eallier for tlte single layer shed. Feeding and cleaning the upper leve1 trays are done by the uEe of, Ladders. Exhaust fans are used by the attendants vhen they spend extended periods of tine in the sheds such as during the cleaning process. The rra119 and roof Day be i.nsulated fleezer panels purchased fron nanufacturer and delivered to the sj.te. Usually these buildings ale erected by the nanufacturer on a conclete s1ab. The slab is constructed with the continuous ryater piping i.nbedded in the concrete and spaced approxinately 2' apart. T'he nater piping extends the entj-re length of the concrete slab and riLl later provide the Bajor heat source far the building. The botton ro!, of tanks are constructed of concrete and the upper conpattnents consist of fiberqLass trays with approxiroately 3, of spacing betlreen trays. ApproxiDately 258 of the fans in Louj.siana are uEing the gtac*ed concept. Waste Water Discharde All lraEte water discharge is su.bj ect to regul-atj.ons of the Louisiana Departlent of Envilonmentat eual.ity. Regul-atj,ons for disposaL of waste lrater fron alLigator faming and processing facil,ities is subj ect to the Louisiana Water Control Law (parE of the Iruisiana EnvironDentaL Quality Act. I,.R.S. 30:1O5L et seq) and requires at Dinj.nuu the use of a series af axidation ponds. These ponds are congtructed in accordance r,ith gtate regulations and tbe size and nunber of ponds required depends upon the size of the farn cul.ture and processing facility. Sunnarv The developnent of, the heated shed concept along lrith q'ild egg col.l.ections have been the catalygt that sparked alligator faroing/ranching into a nulti-lilLion dollar agri-business j-n the 273 State of Louisiana. Culture in heated sheds has taken a relatively slow grolring aninal and produced a uarketable size all,igator in 1e6s than tno years lrith niniruo nortality. Al.though shed desigtrr llay vary sornerrhat. the connon denoninator that all alligator far[ers Dust have is a source of reliable heat, produced at a relative cheap cost. As alligator farn expansj.on continueE, ne!, and cheaper sources of heat lrilL be developed in keepi.ng lrlth the deuand of this fledgling industry. Literature Cited Chabreck, R. II., and T. Joanen. lg7g. crotJ"lh rates of American al-ligators in Loui.siana. Herpetologica 35:51-57. Coulson, T. D., R. A. Coulson, and T. gernandez. L973. Some observations on the grorllh of captj.ve al.ligators. Zoologica (New York) 5a r 45-52. ,foanen, T.. and L. I'tcNease. 1971. propagatj.on of the Amerj.can al.ligator in captivj.ty. proc. ,\nnu. conf. southeastern AEsociation caDe and Fish Coun. 25:106-116. 'Joanen, T., arrd L. llcNease. 1976. Culture of inmature A&erican all-igators j.n controlled envlroruental chanbers. proc. Worl,d l,taliculture Society 7 r2OL-2LI. PRODUCTION VOIJ'I.IE AND TRENDS IN TIIE USA Ied Joanen and Ira!ry l{cNease Louisiana Departnent of tii.ldlife and Fisheries Grand Cheni.er, Louisiana 70643 and J. Don Ashley P, O. Box 13679 Tallahassee, !'l.orida 32317 Presented at the I.g.c.N., survival service coDDj-ssion Crocodile specialist croup April 23-27, 1990 cainesvill.e, Florida PRODUCTIONVOLUI,IE AND fRENDS IN TTIE USA Ted Joanen and Larry lfcNease Louisiana Departnent of slildiife and Fistrerres cland Chenier, Louisiana 20d43 and TaLlahassee,":'":"3"1'11"";, Florida 3231? Yh+r^.1!r-+ i ^n llistori.cal PersEec*.ive According to Stevenson (190a), the aLlj.gator has been in coumercial trade since 1800, Audubon (1827) reported all.igators ta be very abundant in the Mississi.ppi and Red Rivers of Louisiana and nany thousands vere killed for articles of trade. Ite stated rrthe dj.scov€ry that the skj.ns !,re!e not suff,icientty fir[ and close grained to prevent lrater passage put a stop to the generaL destruction of al-Ligators, the effect of rdhich had already becone very apparentrr. Audubon (1822) f,urther stated 'ras !,rater LeveLE receded aLligators conqregate into the deepest hale i.n vast nunbers and to this day, in such places are shat for the sake of their oj.l, norr qged for greasing the lachinery af EteaD engines and cotton oil-ls. The alLigators ale caught frequently in nets by f,ishernan, also Negroes kill, then dqrinq the autunn perj.od as the all.lgator Leaves the lake to seek !,rinter quarters'r. Accordj-ng to Stevenson (1904), alllgator skins becaDe sotlelrhat fashionab]-e in about 1855 but for only a short period, The denand ended af,ter a fe!, thousand Ekins lrere shipped frou the culf states. Alligator skins !,rere used extensively duling the Civil war (1960-1865) l,ith uany thousands of aLligators being kil-led to supply shoe leather. Shortly after n6 the Civil l{ar when free coDnelce i.n shoe naterial was regtored, the alligator vas again Left alone for a brief period. Stevenson (1904) related that in 1870 rra large demand r,as soon created resulting in the glaughter of nany thousands o! anilaLs each year, giving enplolment to hundreds of, Den. The denand soon exceeded the productive capacity of the United States and a large nqD.ber af skinE were iuported fro8 ltexico and Central Amelica. A9 a resuLt of the larqe de[and for allj.gator skins. initation alLj.gator leather l{as filst prepared in large quantities, principal-ly froD sheep skl-n or fro[ colrhides and ambossed ui.th the characteristic alLigator [arkings by passing the skins betlreen tlro rol,Iers. Dqring 1869-70, the aLl-igator roEe to the top of the fashion scaLe of, alL leathers. SDith (1893) estinated that no less than 2-1,/2 lillion alligators were kil,led in Florida betveen 1800 and 1893. A good larket was developed for alLigator skins about 1870 and as late as 1902 the output of the U. S. tanneries rras approxinatefy 280,000 skins annualLy vith about half of these being furnished froro Mexico and centrat America. At that tine, it l'as estinated that Florida supplied 22* ard Louisiana 20* of the total nunber of skins used in the It.s.A each year. Ucllhenny (1935) estiDated that 3 to 3-L/2 uillion nere harvested in LouiEiara between 18ao and 1933. KeLlogg (1929) reported approxiuately 10,000 skins per year vere taken in ceorgia between 1922 and 1926. He furlher etated that as a result of the drought conditions that existed in Louisi.ana in L924 and 1925, unusualLy large nurbers of s*ins vere taken. In 1925 and 1926, 21,885 and 36,041 skins lrere taken reEpectively in Louisiana. Louisiana severance tax records show 414.126 s*ins sold betrreen 1.939 and 1960, sith the najority (57*) being taken betveen 1945 and Prior to the 1960's, size Litlits l,ere not inposed on toulsianars alligator harvests and aII si.ze classes 2r and gireater j.ncluded. lrere No [atter hon large a skj-n !ras, the hunter vas paid for a naxi[um skin length of 8r for a LOt, L2t, or 14' skin; he recej.ved the sale a[ount of noney as he did for an 8' skin (Arthur 1928). Louisiana Departnent of conservation records j.ndicate that the 1943-44 season lras the first year all.igato! skins 10' and above ltere recorded. It is beLieved that durinq the 1943 season, slins !te!e f,irst bought on a per foot of length and a grading systen sinila! to that uEed today rraE j.ntroduced, As ttle alligator popul-ation declined in the early 195ors, tannerg developed new narkets for sDall. skins. A trenendons interest was generated by ;tapanese narketg for hornback alLiqator skins (2-3r size class). Buyers encaqraged hunters to take snaLl skins in order to fill the deDands uhich no Longer lrere being Det by the decLining population of larger sized anirals. This narket r'ras short-Lived and j.n 1962, Louisiana Departuent of Wildlife and Flsheries c]osed j.ts season to the takj.ng of all.igators and beEan a concentrated effort to tlanage thi.9 valuable resource. Othe! states soon folLowed and the alLigator was given full protection withl.n its raDge. Curlent Allidator Harvest The Iouisiana wildlife and Fisheries coDnissj.on reopened the altigator season in 1972 and lras confined- to one Parish in soqthwestern Louisiana which according to the aerial surveyg, housed the largest Eegment of the coastaL narsh alligator population. The hunt area rlae gradually expanded unti.I 1981, when the season rtas opened stateltlde. Betrreen 1972 and L9A9, 229,592 all-igators were taken in the state hunt (Figure 1). The targest alllgator popul-ation occurs in the lolrer third of the state (about 85* of the total) and Dost of the hunters are in that zone, and tlrerefore accounted for about 91: of the kilt. wil-d skin prices varied fron u. s. 97,88/foot in 1975 to a high of U. s. Sso.oolfoot in 1989 (Fiqure 2). Prices paid for FlorLda and texag gkins were very si!0ilar to those sho\tn j-n Figure 2. Factors influencing prices rrere 3 the denand for skinst international prohibitions of foreigm cotnnerce; and inflation or devaluatl,on of American qurrency. The average size of aniDals taken durinq the 16 years of harvestinE in LouiEiana has reDained fairLy congtant froD year to year. The avelage of all skj-ns neaeured (N = 229,592) uas 7.02r rith a range of 3r to 14r. Of the gl Farn raised skins dj.d not enter the Louisiana program until 1972. Tbat year 35 farn raj.sed skins were sol.d. The average size of al-1 farn raised skl-Ds Deasured (Figrrre 1t N = 69,944, rtas 4.41 vith a range af 2t to 7l ltost of the Louisi.ana farn raised al:.igatars reach narketable size j.n less than tvo years of age. r Louisiana s 1989 farr0 production is estlnated at 50,OOO skins, along with a 25,000 wild skin halvest. The state's harvest fron both farD and lrild amounted La 772 of the united States alligator skin productian. The econonic value of the lril.d and far! harvest to the state aDounts to about S18 uil-llon annuaLly. France, Ital,y, and Japan continue ta be the tlaj or tannl-ng countries purchasing the Louj.siana sxinE. of the 26,799 farned skins soLd in 198g, France tanners purchased 698, .Iapanese tanners 15t, ItaLian tanners 8t, and Singapore tanneries 7t. There are culrentLy 92 Licensed alligator fart[s/ranches in Louisiana. Statenide far[ inventary presently anounts to approxirateLy 223.OOO a]ligatars. SixEeen farns have been in buEiness long enough to establish breedinE facil-ities and approxir0ateLy 2,123 breeders are being lai.ntained. touisiana alligator farn inventory expanded trerendously duling 1989 as a resuLt of an aggressive faln gtock coll-ection prograDr utilizing wild produced eggs and hatchl.ing al.ligators. During the sunner of 1989. approxiDately 182.671 eggs and 1.351 hatchlng yea! yoqng alLigators wele collected on privateLy olrned wetl.ands. The egg coll-ection prograu produced a total of 143,090 young for a 784 hatching sqccess. These eggs and younE lrere collected over 1.84 rdllion acres of coastal narsh, swanp and lakes throughout Louisiana. During 1999, A,462 3t-4t alligators lrere released bact( into the wil.d as coDpensatian for the collection procedure. Fl,orj.da's farn praduction gradually j.ncreased froD 3,921 skins in 1985 to 16,385 ln 1989. All-lgator hide production in other states such as Texas and South carolina is expected to increase in the near future (table 1). Our best estiDates of florida's farn inventory a[ourts to approxiroately 92,000 al.ligators in captivj.ty. Fifteen of the Largest farDs in Florida naintain sizealrle nrrt[bers of alll,gators, rangj,ng fro! 5,000 to 10,000 aninals. Florlda captive breeding alligators nu8ber sllghtly over 5,700 anirals. and produced approxiDateLy 15,000 hatchlings last year. IpuiEianars relatjvely young breeding herd nutlbers over 1,1OO adult feDaleg and produced 4,400 hatchlings in 1989, vhich aDounted to slightly less than 3t of Iouisl,ana'9 annual production. Iouisiana vill continue to be the lead state in productj.on of alligator sklns both f,roD the !,i1d harvest and fror farns. Predlcatione indicat€ Louj.siana wil] produce approxj.nately 1OO,OOo farttr skins in ,.995 along vith a nild harvest of appraxinately 25,000. florida predicates a harvest of apprexinately 46,OOO farn sl annually (Table 1). Production fron the states of Texas and South Carol-ina cor.bined vlll renain beLow 5,OOO skins. Literature Cited Arthur, S. C. 1928. The fur aninal.s of Iouigiana: the alliqator. LouiEiana Dept. Conserv. Bu1L. 19:165-196. Audu.bon, ,t. J. L927. Observations on the natural history of the alLigator. (in a letter to Sir WilliaD Jardine, Balonet and Prideaux John Selby, Esq.) Edinb. Nev phiL. Jour.(N.S). 2.27O-2AO. 8l xel,l,og, R. 1929. The habits and econonic i&portance of alligators. U. S. Dept. Ag!. Tech. Bull. 147:35 pp. t[cllhenny, E. A. 1935. The a].ligator's life history. The christopher PubLj.shing House, Boston. Snith, H. U. 1983, Notes on the al-ligator industry. Bul,l. U. S. Fish Cou. (1891). 113343-345. Stevenson, o. ll. 1904. utilization of the skins of, aquatic anir0als. U. S. CouD. Fish and Fisheriee Report 1901:281-352. &. oo oo o lo oo oo o lo o_o- o_o_ a ot q, q, {o t\ ao (o o |Jt @ qtt (v,o, qt@ I (\tN @5 (o; .i o 9= 6.: 6 or '= t\6 o N.S t\O @: N; (, 'E Td t\ cD P= N-: o IIJ o o E t g F.trOfqr6tr!(,, tt N ot q) q, q, F € (o (o ur2 .= €o g to crb @; = (oN= AE.E(! .,w.2 ;> = olJ o t\3 l. o. t\ c, (g|*A .o !oo ct o trF NO (Y) t\ $l flur E o t!- Conparative Growth Rates of younq-AniDaI: All.iqators Utiuzing Rations of plant and/or origin David R. Rercheval Deparlllent Head. Agricultural Sclences Eouston Colmunity College 5514 Clara Hguston, Texas 72041 perry L. Llttle Divislon of Agricultulal Sciences P.O. Box 2O88-SHSU Euntsville, Texae 22341 Abstraet lras on 103 hatchling and yearlinq __ j.gators .Data -coDlril€d alL (Allidator Dississipbiensi6) for- approxinately A nonths to conpale their growth rateg vhen fed rations of either pLant, aniral, or pl,ant and anirat protein origin. The rations consisted of dry ueal ingreai,ents lrithout the additlon of any tlt)e of ground neat. , - Although aLl alligators greir irithout any evident il-l €ffects, those fed the coDbination diet eicel1ed. The reaearch also indicated that taurine was not critical, to the all-igatorsr diet at soong/kq of ration. Pulpose The purpaEes of this regearch project nere to deternine the f,ollowlng reLated to Allioatoi rississlppiensis: (1) g9Tp?re. the_ gro$.ch and devetopnent rate -f afrigatdrS (Al.]iqg!9l--uiEgissipp;i€!819 fed iations colrposed of prorern froD different origins, (2) Observe differences, if any, u growth rates of alligators fed a plant protein fornut a ifiere caurule (beta amlno ethane gulfonate) lras added to the ration, (3) Evaluate the effectiveness of a ration conbinino protein sourceg fro[ plant and ani[al origins as conpared t5 a ratlon consisting.soLely of either plan! or aninal- protein orlgrn, -(4) DeterDine any feeding probleDs o! advantaqes created .!y uglr,tg. a dty nilL t)tre ration for the project r'tithout the addition of ground n-it. Method and Uaterials Tlte research vag conducted util,izing alligators in 2 different.aqe groups. Each age group was divided evenLy and randonly _Lnto one (1) of fo\rr (4) cha:nbers for the project. lhe chaDbers were 8r wide by 161 1on9 lrith 2r sidewalls enclosed Uj.th putltood sides and a concrete floor. There ltere approxinatel.y 5-10 cu. of 31 degrees C. lrater covering 251 of the floor area. The water tenperature sas controLlea n1th an in-line heating systen and hot water heaters. This arrangenent aided in keeping the alligators' uetaboLisn at a rate sufficient to allow theu continued gro\r'!h thloughout the experiment. The alligators in chauber 1of each aqe giroup were fed a ration utilizing protein of plant and ani[al origin. Those in chanber 2 were fed a plant protein ration. charber 3 was the control group lrith a ratj.on of aniual- protej.n origin. Chanber 4 was fed a ratlon of plant origln protein + 500 ng of taurine/kg of ration ( BloKyova Inc.. 1987). Alt ratlonE contained an equal supplenent of vLtanins. uineralg and EaIt. water iras Ad Libitu[ Eince lt i9 readj-ly avaiLable in each chaEber. A dry Deal tlrpe fornula (Tables Ix-xII) was Dixed with lrater at approxlnately a 50t ratio creating a dough-Iike nags. There was no neat added to any af the rationg. Th€ alliEators vere f,ed every other day. After the aLligators had been gLven an opportunity to eat all they lranted rrithin a one-hour perlod, any excess food lras re[oved and treighed. the pens were nashed dovn and refllled lrith fresh gart! ltater. All charlbels and equipDent lrere ln place in a netal bulldlng at the AgricuLturaL science center of sam llouston state gniversity. Resrtlls Tlte four (4) study gloups of Allioator misslssipoiensis ln each of the tvo (2) age brackets vere observed and data coDpiLed for the perj.od beginning in June, 1988 for the yearl,ing alligators and in NoveDber, :,988 for the hatchlings (Table I-vuI). The research was coDpleted in Jure ' 1989. Based on weights, body lenqth and heart gj.rth Deasurenents ta*en thloughout the project, the data confirned that alligatorE car qroU and be [aLntained on a ration of plant protein orlgin. Ilo{ever, substantially nore growt}t ltas noted for those groups of alLigators fed rations utilizing a coDbination of pLant and aniual, protein or 31Dp1y an anj.$aL protein ratian ( Figures 1-8). In the plant f,onuLa where 500 ![g of taurine \tas added per kg of ratlon no gubstantial dl-fference in those animals aE conpaled to the other group being fed the sane plant protein without taqrine lras noted (Table xII; Table I1' Iv' When coDparing the growlh rateg of those gEoups being fed either an anLual protein or a coD.binatlon plant/aninal ration, those being fed the Latter sholted the [ost grov'ch lrith one notable exception. During the first phase of the experirDent, the yearting alligatars on the animal protein ration shorred a higher groltth rate than those on the corbj-nation dj.et. Fron the second lteigtr p€riod on', the aniDals on the conbination diet exceLl-ed. AI1 rations ltere ttlthln .06* in crude protein content. A large anount of AlphaceL eas used in the aninaL protein ration to hold dot'n the protein level-. There is not al sufficlent inforratlon to deternine if this was a contributing f,actor to the growth rate being sllghtly loirer for the all,igators on th€ aniDaL protein ration as conpared to those on the plant/aniDal conbinatlon ration. Arother si.tuation occurred that shoul-d be notad. During a period fro! late lloveDber, 1988 to January, 1989, sone of the alligatorg dj.ed due to rreather related stress as wag confiroed by the Diagnostic Laboratory at lexas A & t{ University. Ttre highest losaes ocqurred in the yearLing aLligators on the co!.binatlon diet. Of the seven (?) that dled, flve (5) sere yearlings on the coDbinatlon diet, one (1) ras a yearling on the aniual- diet and one (1) vas a hatchLing on the aniDal diet. During this period, outside teupelatureE feLl sha4rly and it is our feeling that we Lost lore yealling all,iEators b€caqae th€y couLd not get into the varn lrater aE easily as the hatchlings thus forcing theD to retlaln on the cold concrete floor of the chanber. This Probl-eu was apparentl-y resolved ihen an overhead heating systeD lras installed. This left less aniDaLs j.n the chanber utilizing the corbination plant/aniral diet. we cannot confln nor deny that thj.B affected the fj.nal- results on th€ yearllng alligators. but because of the final resuLts oD the hatchling group it did not app€ar to be a significant !actor, On several ocsagiong, it was noted that the alligators would temporarlLy Etop eating. This s€eued to occur any tj-ne thei! pattern nas di.sturbed by handlj.ng then or i.f there was excessive noise such as groups visiting. the facj,lity ar aowers outside the building. AlL groups of aniuals seened to reEpond fairly unifornly to these nui.sances. Another qonsideration during this project vas using the proper balance of anino acids in each of the rations. Where possible like ingredients were used to assure as uuch confonity as possible. We f,elt confortable fron previous reEearch (Staton, 1986, 1987) that adequate anounts of each of tlte aDino acid groups lrere present in aLl rations (Tables xrrr-xv). Throuqhout the research, ve vere plagmed by one recurrl,ng probLe! related to feeding. Al,though the rations seeD to tleet the nutritional needs of the subject alligators and were appalently palatable, a Eatisfactory for[ for feeding the rations nas never j-dentified. A high wasta factor rras evidenced each tj.ne we fashed the pens out after feeding, parlicuLarly ln the pLant rations. This created a prehenEion probl,eu lrhich lrould obvLously affect the aninalst growttr rate. Future regearch !ril1 need to address the econonic feaslbiLity of developing sone type of cube or biscult lrhj,ch the gators can readiLy grab and then retain lrhen novj.ng into the lrater. HATCHLINGGATORS PEN 2.5 *I 2.1 l,a CJ 1.{ ; 6 1,2 o 3 o.8 0,6 oa o.2 3Pt /@ OAIES Growth ot utillztng Pladt /Anlnal protein HATCHLINGGATORS 2.2 t,8 r,5 t,+ ; ! 1.2 6l t 1.0 0.8 o.6 o.2 o.o 5-2r-S o$E! Flgure 2: Crolrth rate of gators utlllzlng ?1ant protein HATCHLINGGATORS PEN13 z6 2.1 1.4 1.6 I 1,? I - 1,O o,a 0.5 o./t o.o 5-21-A DATES Flgure 3: crowth rate of gators utll.izlnS Aninal proreln EI HATCHLINGGATORS PEtl 2,5 l||rr 2.1 zz 2.O I a 1,5 t,+ 1,2 , 1,O o.a a6 o./t o.2 o.o 1l -10-€E 2-l-€9 5-21-89 OATES Figure 4: Gronth rate of gatots utilizlDg Plant protein :h 5g of Taurine/10k ratlon YEARLINGGATORS FEN #I 7,O 5.o 4.0 t &o zo t.o 2-249 o lEs Flgule 5: Crowth rate of gators utlllztrg Plant/Arlnal protein rat10n a3 YFARLINGGATORS ftN 7.O t2 5.0 5.0 ; /t,o T E , 3.0 zo l.o Flgure 6: crolrth rate of gators utilizlng pladt protellr ?94, YEARLINGGATORS PE fs 5.O a,o E t 36 2,O 1.O ?-2-€9 DAIES llgule 7: Gro!.th rate of gatols utllizlng Anlnal Proteln YEARLINGGATORS PEN 7.O #4 5-1-48 11-3-S 2-249 5_21--€9 OA]ES growth Flgule 8: rate of gators utllizlng Plant proteln + 5g of Taurtre/lok ratlon ?96. i-r.j;i;!J{-j;;i i ;::i-,;"-;::;=1 : = i :=c. d jicd j jii ! g, i ,^ I .: i i : i - i € .: i ; : s ? = \ ! i j i ; i ; j =! 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' v .i ,i { t ' ; ; + ; ; ; ; !F-Sqeqqi:qEqqqqq - c 5 e F ; 3 S N [ : g R B \' fi s] I;qqqe4eqi;B6EEEB ;389 1?eE:3;E:: j! j::5i ^:ee? j s!q qeccsiq\qqqq4 tr i". ?6a'6;;; !eq C q q qq fi aFF B F F-B rrr $ENd8ssrriSRdR s i" jreecqqiqqqqiqqq E ,i ;i: ?E!iE:3sFq:iees*ij E I -9; fi i + I ) i f, e::; i;9 ;.jijd;=i;+d;; i* i i;;'i -.'i llqeeqqqllqqqqiq ie = r R e i I I R E E r R i e : r !iE 5E , : i E q E q q e s F q E i e q q i s : Fr r s b E i { r s E 3 s i r R _. .! -:- €itqqi4iqqqqi!iq t I i ! i i-' r;t .- ;;! i ! a t i t t 5 -i _t _r: ! ,5 F F ii5 E . 3j! i.:ii$i;iiif F$;]q ilE rti ;: 36 .: , , : : r_ _ i :-: : i ._ =- : =t i - .i i : : : \ _ i. i; r \ r ii , .j 3:: i i 5;: ; : :.: : 3; E .S : s = i+jt..;.-.: iF:i;ii!;, .. ; ; li! j! F:i:iliis{lics\qi_ ; r } s 4 x n n ; i ..j ^j -: ii; ^j d d i9.RqliqqiE.iE4eeli! B s g : C { ; $ i i : I i; ; : * H t f ; S ^ ; s i Q E 3 ; 3 E ; e i q q q { 3 .d E jrsi:s:cii{: s s ic i 6 ?::Eidg _ : _ i : _ * ii;j 3 J ri' : €:iiiiliii:iqiq':iE. - ' qi i \ s .l : r ; F d ; d ; ; ^j ,i; i cj " ". i_i-sl?qqqcqeqEqiiir 5 * E g { fi t i i E t R i g d j r n r:{ j j ;: q q 'i i E a e s e i E C ! q C q lii d ! i ?! ja jEd:j i i - - : : : : = i ; ili i " -' li- {iSiiiii!i:ii B { } e; :--i_il{ : q E i i i i q i € ; I : g s i;= i e 3 ? R 4 fi K K i i e { * * i i * ,,! ; ..j t : c q s q i q q i 3 i e i a r iiB ^- ? 3 : E e i E $ : : E q g ] s ; i n-l, lr ! : :jE i i-Si!l'elEii4qqq :i{ s s ; !"" "- ! E q q q q q q q q n s ; s li," R B q .{ S ; : ?i , I t r R r I I I I * * a * ii6 r -flrEE:3::eqcg:iiil; q q E q q e E s E E : E E B 13 s fi j i a ; e ti- ; €1C,1 ccIE{Eit:i*ili 3 ; r . - - i ; ; .j -g i " i iE ; c liqqqiqqqeqEEEtli : i ; r r 'i - ..i i * i i r E i i i r [] I ; i r I : e : q i e s e - q - q i i q € F i;i s { ! '3 ; ; : i € u 3 3 ; E t :o 6 E $ : F ,:i 3 \ *_! g ! € I I i i q I i i i I : ar I c i ; s e i - - F d ; ; ^; - n: i'; ; j E I i i i : i ! i i i i s ii i - E a a e ; a i.' i : ts E : 3 ; R e : i : F i i e d s I i i; i -r j F ; = -s -i i i .l s i c q c i i q E i ':li q i E I t i E ; I f c I 6 ! s { i R 5 r d ; r :: :: ! g i I q q \ : ! i 4 5 i 3 s 4 ,r6 t i 3 3-:;i----i.i.ii-:r:;_-jc. iI5 :i!;ii:iif g:;;I j€;i r; E; 304 TABLE IX PIANI / ANIIiIAIJ PROTEIN RATION CHAMBER *1 tcrude t Used t Protein Protein per Ingredient In Ration in t{ation IngredLent 66i Soybean Meal !.8.0O* 11. 88 84* Fish Ueal 12.50* 10.50 85t Bl.ood UeaI 12, OOt 50t Corn Gluten MeaI 5.00* 3,00 262 Distill-er's So1ubles 38.0O* 1st Wheat Shorts 1.00* o. 1,5 40* Yeast 1. 00+ 0.40 DexErin 1.00i Fat 5. oo* Uineral- ul,x 2.33*, Di-CaL-PhoE 2.33* Salt 0.34* vitanin Pre-uix 1,508 TOTAI,S 100. 003 46. 01 305 TABI,E X PIANT PROTEIN RATION CEAMBER #2 * crude n Used of Protein Protein per fngredient In Ration In Ration Ingredient 65t Soybean Ueal 38.0* 24.702 38* sun Floner l,teal 16. 0* 6. 08t 50t Corn Gluten Uea] 21.5\ 12.90t 262 Distillers Solubles 8.58 2.2r2 15* wheat Shorts 1. 0i 0. 15* Dextrin 6.0? PouLtry oll Fat 2, st Jones l'{ineral Uix 2.33* Di-cal Phos 2.332 Salt 0.34t vi.tanins Pre-uix 1.5t TOTAI,S 100& 46.O42 3()6 TABI,E XI ANTUAIJ PROIETN R"ATTON cltAl.{BER * 3 t Crude Used * Of Protein Protein per Ingredient 1n Ration In Ration Ingredient 80* Feather Uea] 14.00t 70t Poultry By-Prod 31. OOt 2L.7 0 85i BLood UeaI 7.502 84* Fish Meal 8. Oot Alphacel 25. 00* Dextrin 3 .00t Poul-try oil- (fat) 5. 004 Jones l.lineral ltix 2.332 Di Cal Phos 2.33i o.348 vitanin Pre-Uix TOTAIls 100.008 45. 9953 TI TABLE XII PI]ANT PROTEIN RAlION TAI'RINE C}IAMBER #4 * crude * Used * Of Protein Protein per Ingredj.ent In Rati,on In Ratlon Ingredient 658 Soybean !tea1 38. O* 24.70* 38* Sun Florrer t{eal 16. O* 6. 08* 60* Corn Cluten l.leal 21.5t L2.902 26+ DistilLers solubl,es 8.5t 2.2L+ 15* litreat Shorts 1.0t 0. 15* Dextri.n 5. Oi Poultry o j.I Fat 2.58 Jones Mineral, Uix 2.333 Di-cal Phos 2.332 salt 0.34& Vitamins Pre-uix ==''::=: TOTAI,s 100* 46. 043 NOTE3 59 Per 10,OO09. of ration have been added to this foroula. 3@ TABLE XIII: AUTNo ACID CoNTENT AS I OF PROTEIN PIANT PROTEIN RATIONS R,ATION IS 46.048 PROTEIN Amino Acid f of, Ration = * of, Protein Uethionine = 2.313 cystine = 1. 606 Lysine TrlTttopbane .534 = I.377 Threoni.ne = 3,948 lsoleucine .996 = 2.153 Eistidine = 2.545 valine = 5,049 Leuci.ne 4.657 A!9i.nine = 6.7 44 Phenylalanilte Glycine = 4.2a9 # IABLE XIV A}.{INO ACID CONTENT A.s T OF PROTEIN ANII{AIJ PROTEIN RATION RATION TS 45.99* PROTEIN AlLno Acid * of Ration = * of Protein ltethi.onine o.358 = o.778 cystine 2.L97 Lys ine 2.294 = 4.944 Trlrptophane = o,78 0 Ahreoni.ne 1.664 = 3.6L8 fsoleucine L.990 = 4.327 Eistidine valine = 5.080 teuclne = 7.090 Arginj.ne Phenylalanine = 3.611 clycj.ne 2.590 = 6.243 310 TABI,E XV AUINO ACID CONTEN! AS 3 OF PROTEIN PI,ANT / ANI}{AL PROTEIN RATION FATION IS 46. GlT PROTEIN Anino Acid t of Ration = * of Plotein Uethionine Cystine .648 1. 408 Lysine 7.033 tryptophane - 364 o.79L Threonine 4.240 Isoleucine 3.457 Eistidine 2.00 4.346 valine Leucine 4.562 Arginine 2.642 5.742 Phenylalanine 2.440 5.303 cLycine 2.524 5.494 311 TITERATI'RX CITED Bioxyolra Inc., 1987. Nelrsletter. VoI.4, No. 1 Septenber. Staton, U.A., I.I,. Brlsbin, Jr. and c.U. Pesti. 1986. Feed f,onul-ation for alllgators: an overvie!. and inj,tial i.nt ernal- studies. Proc, Crocodil.e Special ists fnternational and Unlon Nature Resources. Quito, Equador. 22 p, Uineograph. Staton. U.A. 1987. Personal Cotorunicati.on. Poultry Science DepartDent, UniverEity ceorgl,a, Athens. DISTRIBUTION AND STATUS OF TI{E CROCODILI,ANSOF HONDURAS Resultsof a SurveyConducted for the Conventionon International Trade in EndangeredSpecie-s of Wild Faunaand Flora and the HondurasSecretaria de RecursosNaturales Renovables By Prof.F. WayucKingr, Mario EspinaF, and Lic CarlodA Cerruo3 23 April 190 r FloridaMuseuro of NaturalHistory, Caircsvile, FL 32611,U.sA 2 Rcdrso6 NatEalc6RcDovablc6, Apa.tado Po6ral209, Tcgucigalp4 D.c, HoDduras 3 Depanane o d,eBiologia Udv€rsidadNacional AutonoEa rie Hooduas, Oudad Utdv€isitari4 Tegucigalpa,Honduras BACKGROIJND _ Honduras(112!088 tE1 ii thc sccoddlargcst C€atral A.nc.icat lation (after ldcaragua). Thc cou ry is dominatcdby a mouataiaousceatral region with ruggedpcals that reachalmmt 3,OOO E ir altitude, EJcelsivelowlard regionrarc fouadalong tf,e 6.14km loag Caribbeaacoast ia tle oorth ard a smalle.amount of coastalw€tlards are locatcdi! tic Gulf of Fons€cain thc south- A.lonqthe uorth coast,E'etlands habitats arc gerc.ally restriatedto ratler rarrow coaatallowlaads aad riir valeyr, cspe.ialy i! thc northwestemaad oorth-ccDtral.€gioa Thc greatestanouat ofc,rtlalds habitatsis associated*ith a hoad aluvial plai4 ap!'roimately 65 tm wide!id thc oorthea6tcrtrDan of Hondlrrrs that a*ctrds 360lm aloagtlc coasfbfo earternNcaragua. TLic region,called I: Mo6quitiaaftet thc Mo6qunoIadiaas qho iolabif ttc rcgion,contabs cxcorirc lowJyiagsavaaaa aad coastalx,€tlan& babitab ad i! corfituous sith tic cast€rnMtca'aguat lowlads ("t6 p-t of Mocquitia).Tto daio.tty of ttis rcgioais locafcdil thc deperhcDr of cracias a Dioa, contaiairg apFro'imatdym% d.6e l{oldurar te.dtory. It i5 ttc leastdcvclopcd part of thc couttry. _ - Ilonqrar Lastx,o nativcspccies of crocodiliau; thc Ancdca'r.rocodile (Cacodyhu oan:6) andthc Cc ralAmericar cail',,a (Cabn@,crao.fifut crriryrri'a). Ttc crocodileis a lat8Espccies (addt dal€s reacl lengthsof3j-5 Eeters) that day bc foundir eit[er freshwateror bm&ish water habitatsir co.stalbgoons and rircrs aLoigboth thc ro.thcm ard southemcoasts of HoudEas. The CerFal Americ.tr caimanis a smallc.spccies, addt Eal€sreach leryths of 2-2j mcters(Alydrcz del Toro 1974),that ir follnd Fimipaly i! ftashwatcrdarsh or $vadp habitat!,although ir alsoeaten btacLirhyatcr. Pa6tconicrcial huntiDgofcrocodiliala i! Hondurascotrce ratcd od th€ cf,ocodiles bccauseits hide is oorc valuablctta! that of thc ciiDa.. Hultirg in Hord[as, asvell a6throughout the .arge of tfc specieqsovcrcly reduccd populatiotr lewlr atrdwarrantcd ioclusioa of thc AEericatr crocodilcod thc CITESApf'cdir I l&t of .DdangcrcdsFcics i! th€ Eid-l9?(ys(Kir& CaDpbeL ard Molcr 19E2).Owitrg to tic l6s hteDsir&hudiDg prcisurg asw€[ a.stheir ability to rcproduceat a smallcrsizc aad tleir ccologicaladaptability, Cairn qa crwodihts hasreElained rclative! numcrousin nany parts of its .ange(16!9 1989),induding the coastatlowlaads of Honduas. Apparcdy duringthc lattcr part of tf,c 1y70'sard the early 198Os,tte Earket for crocodilc stitrs i! llondulas de.lidcd grcatly. Thc rcasonfor tbb wastwofol4 6rst, tf,e crocodilcsb€caEe so scarcctbat it c/a6difiqtt to huDttiem for a livitr& aadsctoad, iacreased rcstrictiols ol iaternational tsadcia cldatrgeredspccies madc tic saleof ciocodilehides norc diffic1rit. Hondlras is Eyingto developprograDs for the sustaiaedutilizatior of wild populationrof CeoFalAmcricaa o;n.n.. Io addition,iD the p.ivatc sccto.therc ir clrsiderabl€ inicrest in farn;ac the Adcrica! cocodilJ, sidccit Foduc6 a sor! valuabl€bidc. Tte crocodilercmaim eadaagcrcd tbrowhout dost ofits.argEr ilcluding Hoodurar,and retaiDr anApFsdix I listitrgod CITES. Due to its largcf,siza ald dchFn scnEl Dratudty,tlc Accirs nay bc lessrasilicnt to dirert harvcstiogfroo thc $ild thar arc thc sEallcr c-ih,n O&cr Etioas in lati! Amcrica are acirely nanagingtteir caimar populaaiotrs,but lloDdurasii a tcst cas€for the dcvclopo€ntof thc firsr viablcn-anagemenr programfor a tlue crocodib in tf,cAEcrica& No strc! programcurreatly cxists. Ifttc programjs sucrcssftlit couldscrvc as a modclfor similarcocodilc colservation/da.nagedaDtp.ogram! in other patts of C€|rbalad SouthAEcrica" Os/ingto thc idportanceoftLr Hotrduranlrojed it termr ofcooser tion, the oanagelnent prograD itr Horduas oult bc &velopcd carcfullyaad with a 6rm sciet fig asw€U as sociocconomiq fourddio!. An adcquatcurdcrstatditg of thc cutr€lrt$anls ard ecotogrof thc *ild populationsis esscntialfo. planniDgany wildlifc oaoagcoeat prograD. Thc auneyrcsul8 reportcdb€low arc an iaportant 6rst staptowards oceting thc scientificprcrcquisitcs for developiagi co$€rtaation/Eanag€ocDtlrografi . BcfoE atryEanageEeDt program cai be iEplcEcrtc4 datadust bc colectcd on tlc current statu anddi6iribution of thc spcciasto bc cxploitc4 aswcll asmaiagemenf rclatcd aspc(tsof its ccolos'. Artid.6 w 2a and3 of CITES rcquirc thar thc Scidtfic Aurhority i! cachp.rty ration shall EoDitor ttc issuanceof cqort pcmits fo. wildlifc spccic,sto iNurc that axpo.tationwill not be dctrim€ltal to thc survivaloftf,c wild pop!.latiomofthat specie&Thc ScientifrcAutlo.ity caDnot mal(csucL a dctcr|nidationwithout datao|t thc stat!6aad distribution of tf,c soccie,sb thc *itd" 3t4 Hotrdurasis tic 6lst nationiD CanatalAEcrica to iniliatc a rcgionalsurvcy in coopcratio! with CIfES. T*o typ.6 of EaDagcEcdtFograEs a.c currcntlyurdci corsidcrationin HoDduras: . dire{t haflest of ain"n from thc vil4 and r s|llaaidcdutilization of crocodilcsthough htuitrg or rarchiDgl Tarrrirgf rc4drca thc maintcnaaccof a captil€ stocl ofbrccdiDg'nin.l. to producccggs ard youDgsrhid arc rcaied h captivityto codicrcial daughte.sizc" Thc husbadry ured Eust bc capable ofrcliablyprofucing&gc&ationi!captivity.'Rarchirgli.volwstlchar'/rstofcggsorhatciliog from t[e wild for rcariry h captivitt to coomcrcid sizc" Rsnchiry cannotbc sustai!€dunl€ss tho wild popdation arldirs habitati! protc.tcd in ordrr to Foducc thr cgg! andtatctlirg! necncdby thc rancb" RarchingofAppcndh I 6F.ica is rot all@/cdundlr CITES. Thcrctorc,bcfo& Ctocodllllsacunlt an bc ralcf,c4 a scricaof co@Ey-\ridcsui/ry6 *ould haw to dcEolsEafc that tbc *ild populatiotris iacrcasingor ie ncar caryiag capacityard shouldbc aarsfcErd toAppc[dit tr Sio.t of that, a sirgle suflEyrculd harl to dcEoGtratc that thc spcciesir suficiendy abuadaatil the wild to sustainal atrtrualharve.lt By conrralr,CnES Adidc VII 4 aloq6 farb! tlat arc rcgi6tcrcdwith CITES to tradc ApFndir I produds produaadftom captivcpropagatiol otr tho6€farBs. This is becauscfarmiry shouldharc a smallcrpotcatial impad o. wild populatioGsiftc' asa rule, ody the original start-up breedirs soda is tale! from the wild. Evca thco, surveycofthc wild populatio8 help ass€ssthc inpact of tatirg dart-up sfoct foi farna Tho objcdivq of thc prca€lt luwoy vlra to: . detcsmircthc orrrert statB anddfu&ibution of thc Americandocodilc a8dCe ral Adcrican caiEa. i! Holduras, ald lay thc grouldwo.l for a lodg.ta.mEonitoring Fogram, r produccrcconncadatiors for tlc dcvcbpdcrt ald impleme*atioo of a aatioral daragrDert plograD for both the Ce ralAmericatrcaiBatr and the A.Deric.o crocodilc.and r ohaia basicccological data for both sFcic+ METHODS ltc su.ecyvlr dividcdiato two p.i[cipal coopod€ltr 1) a calihafiod sh]dyon two paniq a. crocodilc/cainaapopulations, ad 2) survcF throughouta stratificdsaEple of the rcmaiaiognajor cocodiliaa hatitats. A third coEpodctrt,thc alalysisad qua ifcatioa of babitattypcs and diltributb!, hesnot )€t bcco complcted.A(tltal carrnshg concc ratcd on thc coarta.llagooB, river sy6tcm+atrd latca whid rcprcscnttte Eajor habitatfor thrsc teo qocodiliars. S€condaryefforts rcrc madcto ceuus periphcralarcas adjaccat to thc major ri!€r cours€sas wEll as Eo.e isolated cEtlar& habitaE BcsidlaiDforEifion on srrrclt popuLtionstah$ onc of thc Eo6t citicel pointsaddrcscd iD ary studyof this t}pc is populationtrcd4 ic" is thc pop lation i[qcasiD& de{reasiD&or reaaioing srablc?A3 .rocodilia8 arc rathcr long-lircdspc.ics, alate decd to bc colle.tedovcr a suitablylorg pcriod of tine bcforc atrypopuLatiod tcnds nay bcaofo appareat Thc rcsultsof this suvey will help to q*inatc otrrcnr populatio! lcwls, andlay ttc grourd$ork for continuc4less intersivE surveyirg to dodtor populatio! trdds. Howclcr, a tenradvcasscssEcnt ofcocodilian populationtrcnds ovcr tho lart Uz,€erscan bc Ea& by compatingthc r€sulBof thfu$rvcy with dataftom ccuius€lidone 12years c.rli6 itr Iaguna Caratalcah fa Mo6quiti. (Klcin 1yl4 192, 1yr9). .d StadardizedSuwcy Procedure With two sul,ey tcamswortiDg i! Foduras, ad othcr CITESitcaDs opratiEg ir ottcr coultaics,sorvay statrdardizaliotr fu importar so ra3ulBca! bc comparcdand so suvcrs canbc rcpcafcdin subscqucntpars Thi! sa.tiotrbricly oudircastandard survey proccduras ad lnasa6 ad 315 examplcofthc statdard for4 uscdin tlc Honduras6u.vcF. Th!6c standardizcdp.ocedurcs w€re adherrdto a5doscly aspossiblq yct bft ahcsurrcy t.aEr with cnougf lcsility 6 adaptto local cordition3, Su'l,rF werc coDductedat dghl. Survcyt€ams wcrc cquippcdwith 6volt tcadlanpc aswell ar 200,000cardlepo\rcr spotlights op€rated ofi l2-volt autoEobib batt€ricato sDotthc rcflect€d e],eshincofthe caina[s ald crocodiles.Thc ipotligbt y.s usci for losg-diila[cr spottirg aswcll a! navigaaio!.The clo6oapproach of..iE t. \i63 trcsadode ring tlc l€sspowcrful headlaops. Each anid.l spott€dvas apFoachedas closelyar porsiblcto dhring'&fi ri6;n iod crocodiL, a to esdnafc its siza Su.Ey.outes wEic 6lst .ccolnoitcrcj b dayFior to coodu.tilg a nighttimcao.lEy so tlc pcrsoficl couldbccmc hoiliar vith thc rivcr, subraorgdlogs, snags, rocl$ ;d shoalarc:|& It also aloltd aofs to bc ma& or habitatFio. to coldu.ting ttr surllEy.Whcrc po6sAnc,tic ted! startcd tharc daytiEc.coDtralrsalc6 &om a dottls&camlocatioo ad norcd up6tr€am6r|.;.g babia oot€s andf'6ili.'i'ing rhc'.chE! eitt thc routc. After nigh|f.n, tha adual ccnsus*as oaac uarcling F6laLca or lagools, surwy routcs\r'crc ba6cdo! logirtic fcasibility. Agah it w:a3 importarf to cor,€ttho suwcy.oute frst durilg thr day i! o.dcr to rctc uvigatioarl hazar& andto charactcrizctf,c habitattypc& Thc $u'vEyBwerc dolc froe a boat by a suney tcaE usualycodpos€d of at lc€st3 peoplc. Tvo 6urr,Eytcams l/rrc iovohEdid ttc survcy,otre slllE'€d the nortiwcstem andsouthem pars of Hondurasald thc othff suwr,€d the north cc ral androrthcastem rc{iors. E ch tcae hadorc pcrso!, ic, M.rio Espital or Cado6Ccrrarq c,to scwrd asspoao ttrouglour r.hcsurvcys. _ Otr lrocturDalsufl,EF tf,c s@€f, ir rcspolsiblcfor sightiDgthc caocodilials,estimatirg their bDgtls, md idctrti&ingthc speciegas wll ashclpbg tic boat drivcr Evigate arourd togs,rocl6, ad shallow-arc{&To bc{omc proficic at spotdtrgad particuladyat sizecstidatior, rcquircsp.acice. SizocstiEatcs arc rct basrdotr ary onc critcrion DuriDga survcy,thc sizeor foln of tie hea4 o. otf€! cryodcdbody pa.ts, arc usuatlyall that caabc us€dto estiEatcthc total lcrcth of thc ariDal lstiEatiDg sizck bcstpracticed by captudnga saEplcof thc ariEals s€€Don nigf,ttimesurrcys, and thctrcoBpariry thcir cs.i6.tcd lcngtis with thcir true lctgth. A.nothcrakenativc is to ctoscly cEnina captilr ,;n.1. ad pracicc cctiuatiry lengthsof tDowoindividuals. Arilral6 s€€aduriu the surcy but lot approachcdclo6e etowh to alow a sizcG.rinare to bc Eade werc classifedas EO i= eyrsody). Af timcs if wEspGsrblc to dalo a rougi estimatcofsiza In thcsccasar adlraLsc/ere classificda! EO grcatcrthal L8 m or EO lc,ssthan LE d total leorth" To ftcc tlc apottcrAoD distradioosthat migh! caus€him-to nis5 atr ey€shi&,bc lerbaly rrported hfu.ighrlngs,s!'ccica iddtificatio!, cstinat€sof sizg aadlocarion of tlc crocodiliaaia the wat.f, to a scco[d pctso! who rc.ordcd t[c dataotr thc stardardforE. Thc secondoersoa also rccordld thc Lm diitascc or locationalong thc aorwy route talca froo oapc ofthc are." If the slrottc. rcrc to writc dowtrth€sr dat4 hc would not oulyb€ distractcdfroo hi6 sponitr&but hc also worlf-su$q taaporary locr ofvisual acuityftom looting at a brightly iUuEiDatidpiecc ofpapcr. To avoidbacllightbg tf,c spottcr*hid wouldscarp an rdnrl bcirg app.oachcdcloscly, tte datarecorder !5d a smallfl. L Estinatirg PopulationSizc Bcrauscmuch of thc survcys/ork xrasdonr itr rcmotearca!, undcr dificrrlt logi6tical circ@rt&ccs, aaddoao ar rapirlly ar pocriblg onc area,vhich c/ouldscnc asa poitrt of comparilotr fd a[ thg othor areassutwye4 ra! do6cn for morod€tailcd wort Tho populationdata colerted iIr llis daailcd studyprovidri tf,c fourdatio! agairsrirhicl dataftou all ttc orhcrpopulations surcyed couldbc calibrarcd.Thc calibrationstudy also provftted thc opportmity to pradice andstardardize cc[susiDgt€{n quc,s.lais oqericncc prorediwaloabla oncsthc gafl€mlsuwcy bega4 It also providcdal opportuoityto coll€ctdata oo asFcti of thc c.olo8f ad bchaviorof tlc crocodilians wiich Eay hrvc iEportet coDsc.valiorard dalagcDclt implicxiooa All sncys rrcre doncusing th! scricaofstandardicd ccrsusproccdurcs dcsadbcd abovc. This standardizatiotrk ess€atialfor dra\rirg valid co6pairon6 bcts,rc! araas*hctr thc ccnsusiogis rioocby dificrc* groups. Durilg an typicalnocturDal survcy, oaly a fractiol of tbc crocodilianspreselt in the areaarc scen This ftactioa is variablc,atrd day depcrd otr a Nsb€r of factorssuch as sEt€f, level the amount of aquaticvcgetatioD, teDpcraturc, wia4 raiq aadevcn rariness of thc alimair reulting from pa6t honiilg. In additioa $r.vr,, routc6qill oDlycovrr a sDdl fradiotr of tle tabitat arEilablcto thc aocodiliaas Ewtr in rivrr systeni,larg! areasof habitatusually arc availablein the form of o6ow lal6 ot othcr alsociatede,ctlard& Hcncc,odc of thc no6t idpoftanr filtr(iiors of tic calibqtior study cra6to estimatethe ftactio! of tlc total popdatiotrs.rn dudlg surEys. The uDscenftactiotr can bo dividcdinto two principalcomponedts, 1) crocodiliaD6found along thc sunry routc tbat lr€rc lot scc! (bccauscthcy wcrc uadcrwateror othcrwisehiddea from view), and2) oocodiliansfoud iu arraspcriphe.al to thc actualsuwcy routc. Thc Utrs€€trF actiotrof Crocodilia8 - orc of rhc b€st6etho& for cstimatirgthc spotting &acioo of crocodiliansis througbrcF&ivc sulcy!. This ncthod is esp€.ialyamelable to lsrgc scale loatutnal sporlightcalsuling lrograbs suc.has lhc odc cotrdudcdiD Hodduas. Usirg standardcedsus n€thods (s€cStandardizcd Survcy Proccdures abovc), two prcdetcf,mineds€.tioE of the ca.libratioir studydca s,€rcrcFtifir€ly survclrd a total of4 tiEcs cacb. Ooc of thc s€ctionswas ia a coastal lagooq Lagua Bacalar,and thc sccoadwas ia a rircr, Rlo Sico(oo oaps iadicatedrariously as thc RIo Sicq RJoTinto, RJoNcgrq andRio Sicoljnto o Negrg but hcrcirafter rcferrcd to a! Rfo Sico). Tbc lrrmbct of crocodiliarsscrtr o|t a4, ooo6urvcy depclds on scveralfacora. Sfudi6 i! nortlem Alstrdia (Mcssel VorlicclqW€&, andCrcen 198f) havcdemoEtrated that uaderdost cotrditioog thc hcor of ovcr*fching idportdcc ir vatcr lcvcl partiqJarly in arcasinflucrccd by tid6 or scasooalctarg.6 h Prtcr .cgidc& Thc do6t crocodiliarsarc scc! duringlow eatcr \ricD th€ycadot casilyhidc undrr oErhrngirglrgctatior- Data on thc rcletiorshipbcrs€ci satcf, lc\,€la[d the sightilg fradio! arc csscDrialfor soEc arcasoay ba\rcto bc ccrsus€dduriDg higb, or mediumhigh wateale\r€ls. ltc &ta fiom thc calibratioasutley p€rnits tfe e.*isario! of thc sightilg ftactio4 the probabilityof scciogcrocodiliam. I&aly, thec irc lengthof the RJoSico would bave bcco irdud.d itr thc calibratiot survey. Udorturatclt fuel for oulboardmotors aad for electdcd gc..tators to rcchalgcspodight batteries srs unaeailablclocaly andhad to bc shippcdin to tlc basccanp b Palacio6by coastalfreighter, This, ia conbinatioawith thc s(.nt asount of timc availableto cooplctc both tie cdib.ation andgFncral sorvcF,lirnitcd tho calibrationnrDs to tho lo$cr 193lm of thc RJoSico. PcriphcralCrocodilia8 - Althoughthe aajority of crocodiliaasshould bc fouad in tftc nain lagoonor rircr chara4 tlcy alsoiatabit pcriphcrala&rs su(l a. oS@,latca or friDsirs s,€tlands. 3L7 A-oefrort q|a6dade duriDgthe calibratioosurvcyB to visit a numbcrof thqsewetlanda ide[tifcd from topographicdap6 or froo ir ervicEswit! Iocalilhabitants" Z EcologicalIdorEatioa . - . T.hcca]9ratio! studyard suwcyi Fovided goodoppo.tulities to collert dataotr thc ccologr andbetarior of ttc crocodilia.ns"During thc suw thcEsclvet informationwas gathcred ou the cocodilian populatioasizcdass rlisaibutioa(by e.ri-,ting crocodilie! Ielgtbs id 0L m intenals). Additioral iafomation wascollcdcd o[ thc latural r€produCioaof thc Amcrican aocodiles, d.+ Na*iry arc.! locat€dopportudsticaly doriog thc survcysprovidcd ""p.""t! l.6{"S opportuaitiasfor sndyiag rlFds ofaeatirg acologr. Obscrea&rnsalso c/Ers n_ad! on tis caDtiw populatiou ofADcriqn docodileson Holdu.an crocodilcfarmr. Tf,asecaptivc aocod cr forc removrdioE the wild populadoD!duddg thc prcviousa,€ar3 ald supplyinponatrr idormatron oE clutd sizc,egg dincD6io.s and srcigtq fertility ratcs,location atd siz. alDcsihole! ad the behivio. of i.st;ng fenaba. Thc eological ard bcbavioraldata colcrtcd during th€ suvcy arc not pcrtitent to ahissuvry rcport andeil bc publishcdels€wh6a. B, GcacralPopulation Survcys SurvlJ6Io. crocodilialsoutsidc of thc calibratior studysite of ncc!,asittc'as duch l€6s intcDsiv!' Surr€yroutcr trllr prc-selcctcdto cor,€f,as latgc a pcrccrtagcof thq \{ctlandshabitat types a! possftlcwithia thc tiEc availablc.Thc wo* schcduleatd thc ahoiceof arcasto be sunqed war hcavilydep€|rdrtrt o! thc logisticalsupport obtahable. Thc coudEywa3 dividrd inro four basic rcgioDs:thc lo.thwrst€m coast,the nolth ce ral coast,the rcrthcastcm coa6t(t,a Mo6quitia),ad thc Pacificcoast (Gu[ of Forseca), Nortiwast Clait - Thc dorthrcsacoast rcgion c)(ends frod thc Rfo Motag$a,which folms Hondu.as'bordlr with GuateEala,cast to thc vicitity of thc town of TndilLo. Moct of thc crocodiliar habitath thk rcgioBL restriatadto rivcridc 0ood plainr aad a narrowstrip of corstaleltlad& The prhcipol riw' systco i! ttc r€giotri! tl|c Rio Ulur-RIo CthaDelca6!q/stcD. Althougf co\,aiiDga large arc& muchof thc norttM,€sthar bcr! erdcrsirclydcvcloFd for coDmercialcash ciops (e.g; batraffs,- pi&alplc) rnd thc rirc.s arc crcDsivElyuscdby ttr rapidlygrorriag humaa connuaity. NcErtteles6, ciio'n anda ftq, crocodilB arestill foundil thc,scrivcrs atd $.\rcys rrre cooductedir a lew of tlc lc$--iold(tcd arca!. Addirionalsurwy sitcsincludcd thc islald I^.go yojoa Hodura6, largestlale, as x,€[ a! thc Iaguaa dc 106Micos, a lalgc coastallagooo, and Enbalsc Cai6D,a hyd$€lectricrcs€rvoir. A! efrortsas alsotc_madcto celrus rcprcs€trtatfurarcas of smallcrcoastal lagooDr ad riwrs aloDg thc coaslb€trecn Tcla atd TrujilLo. Somecvidcrcc sugg€stjttat a sdal populatiodof A.Ecricat ctocodilcsslill ocorts oa someof ttc BayIslan&, particutartycuaaaja, although thc team did not surry thc islards. North Ccneal Coalt - TLe part of Hoddurasfroe Trujilo to the Rfo Sic! is sirtilar to the norfhwe,*coast with rcll-dcfrcd rivcr flood ptair aadreLarircly little lowlandcoasta.l habitat. Fast of thc Rio Paulaya,ar csitem tnauta.y of thc RIo Sico,the exeDsi@coastal plaitr of Ia Mosouitiais evrdeat.Surv€),s conc.drared on t[c Eaior rivcr systcEsitr thb rcgiotr(e€- RJoSico. fuo'eguen RIo Clapagua)ard scvcralof the largc. coasralIagooDs (e.g,IagUaa de Bacafar,l-aguaade Guaimoreto, Iaguaa cl Lirio). Ia Mosquitia- Thc trortheasterlrcgiot of Eordlr.as, rcfened to asIt Mo6quitia,coataios the,grcaacstamouft of relativelyudi*urb€d coaltal*ctlands h the entirc coutrtry. This rcgio4 alorg eith thc dorth ccDtralcoa6! coDtaiB thc largcstpopulations of caimat in Horduraq ard neritcd tle grcatcstamoutt of attentio! i! t€rm! ofEuvcywort In additioD,thc arcair rclatirrly remotcald logisticsc'rrc d6cr L The rcgioacodails a ya6tconpLx ofcoastaltagoods (ag Lagunadc Caraaasc4l4unr d! T{Bin,Iagula de w'ruDta l4urtar4Irgua dc Brus,ard ttc Irgu[a de 318 IbaDs)ad rirers (c& tbrcr largc rivcrs,RJo Patuca, Rlo Platalo, ad Rlo Coco(also tawo asthe Rto Scgovia),ard trutaeroussmal rivcrs)l'tid !'arathrcogh savrDra habitar. Thc R(o Patucais the largcstiii€t in Honduras.Thc p.es€ civil u''eit in Nicaraguaard bordcdlg arcls ofHondura.s Fevcntcd $uirF ofthc largc RIo Cocothat borderBt{cdagua. It al6oFevcrted thc su|cy tcan fioo rcpcatiry the crocodiliaasuw€F doncin 1976and lfi i! tlc largcstcoastal lagooos, L.gutras de Caratas.4T6trsir, a'd Waruntl .orlc;,iL976, Pn, Ly79). Surv€]scotrcsltrated mostly otr thc lagoons andrirars, but sclcdedpe.iphrr.l habitatswcrc cor|ciedas well Pacift Coast- CrocodiliarsurrcF wcrc ako udcrtalc! in Hoduras' PacificdFi""gc il the Gulf of Foose.a. Thc two pri4ipal rivcrs locatcdwholly ia Honduras,thc fuo Nacaomcatrd ttc Rio Ctolutcca,srrc surrryr4 as*vrc scvcralof thc gaaler rirlEr3add coastal lagoo!6locatd otr thc area, c. Surlty TiDctablc Calibratio[ iurilyB bcganin lagua Bacalarad fuo SLo h Fcbruary1969, and thr gcrcral survcF roltitrurd throwhout tle rcuabdcr ofHondurasunril tic cld ofJutc 1969.Carlo6 Ccrrato lcd thc auvcysof thc rcni c€rltal ard rortheastcoaitl' ad Mado EJpinallcd thc surreysof the rcdaining rcgion& D. Habirat lypcs ad Total PopulatioaSizc It i! possibleto estimatctotal luEbe.s of crocodiliansi! an areaif dataarc availablcboth o! thc dr8ity of thc 6Fcics io a givcowctlauls habitatard od thc lotal alca occupicdby ttat habitat. Bcaau6cif rrli fcasiblcto sutrcy oDlya smallftaction of ttc total co6stalretlatds habifat,information o! th! edcrt ofhabitat is nccdcdMorc aa orerall populatiol sizccan bc cstimatcd Dctailcd rnapsot habirart),pcs and tlcL distributiotrcm bc prcpa&dfrod ae.ilablclopographic Eap6 coupled with I$dsat satclitc i8agery andod-sitc 6cld inspcdioDs.Sitrcc Eo6t of thc crocodilia! c€nsu6iDgw?s dorc at oight,pan of the day!/a! sF6l rcrorDoiacringthc surveytoutc aadrccordiry thc habfuattypes cncoEtdrd alongthc routc. Thcsc&ta arc not dircsrsr.di[ tlis rcport asthcir aialysisDust await prcparatioaofthc hatritafmap3 ftod satcllitciEag.ry. Whea this partiorlar qork is complete4the rcsnls sil ba a quantficationof the crocodilianhatirar of Hoddura6(including pcripneral habtats) atrdrcasonablc crcapolations of the total crocodilianpopolatiotr E. Taxo6@ic Statur As iEportart s€condarygoal of thi6 studyis to clarify the taloaomyof the Hooduraacaimaas. TLo systcnaticaof lic grlus &iapr is in a partictlarly coofrEcdstatc, Autloritics vadoi,rlyrcfer to $c Ce ral AD€irica! caiDiu at Ctirn@tdeodihlt fiLtcusor Caimar qocodiluschiapathlt. Tbs dsti!.tiotr is importar asregulating iatcrnatioaal tradc iD stitrs requitcsa goodutrde$taadiog of tle glographic'rariatiotri! thc apacie I..ct of suchiuJorEation has hindcrcd enforccment of trade rc6ftidio6 o! ilcgal Catnan bidrs fto6 csotralSoutl AEciic.. Thc Horduias survcyteams dadc a amallcollcation of caiDals ftoE variousparts of the country. Standardizedmorphological and color rLuawcrc rccordcdfor cachspecimens before it wasprcscrvcd- Tisruc saEplesq/€ie aisocollected for biochcoicalatatFir. Tfis coltecioo wasshipped to the Florida Muscumof NaturalHistort fot futhcr cnaiaatiou" Urtil tiis po.tioa of the rcscarchis complete,this rcport folo$ lc.trgand Burte (19ti9)ia applyingthc moc Caimot ctsodthtt chiqatiut !o thc caidaDrof Hondnra6, F. Suircy Perrdncl Prof. F, Waync(itg Dcputt GaitBaa ruct.VSSC CrocodilcSpecialist Group, Florida Mur.uE of Natural llistory, Gain€svie, FL 32611,US.A. ra6 ovrrall coordidtor of the proje.t Mario Espinal Dcpartarnqto dc vida Sihasrrc,Direccio! GeDcraldc Rec|lrsosNatu.alcs Re[oEbl€s, Conayagucla,D.C" Hotrduras,and C.rlo6 A CcrratoB, DepartaDeoto& Biologi4 UnircrsidadNacioral Autonomade HondlraE CiudadUniversitaria Tcgucigalpa, D.C_ HoduraBr, srrc ficld coordiraiorsof the tc6 survcytca66. RamonZrtaiga scrred as a rigirla, oeoter of the tcaE that surrcFd thc Ilortirvcst ard southcoast6, ald RenaldoAlvarcz senci asa membc.of the tcam that iurr€yed muchof thc nolth cantralcoasL RESIJLTS ,q. Nurnbcrsed Popu.latio!Densitias _ As sfafcdabovr, a total of 4 .cpetitirr calib.atiot sunrys urur condu TAEI;B1. CALet&{TtoNSLBvEys oa CRocoDtriANsIN tacur{A BACAIAI. SotTttNo. Coim@r Cr@odyhlt 158 0 15E 0 152 0 4 1&) 0 180 ) N, 0 N 183 0 1A 7 169 0 169 E t4 0 14 92 0 92 10 t@ 0 169 l1 tn 0 1m 12 166 0 t6 13 101 0 101 16 0 108 106 0 106 16 104 0 IM t7 t74 1 r75 a I4f' 1 150 19 I m 60 1 6l Totals z18L Mcan r,845 139.05 Std Dcv 0.4 38.,14 Calib.alion suflrys wEteconductcd o1lr the 52 h surveyroute ioo Fcbruaryto May6- 1Aalt tiscoatt q,i!?y, h! !dd.... w|s &!El|d ldr.sri. o MeF d. \ardr Sitt6rc, Apra 86,E ceL 3m TABI!2 CAL.BaATToNSr,BvEys oF CRocoDuANs BJfuo SIco Surlry No. Caitnsr Crwodyhlt Total 1 )6 x rT3 I L74 J a4 0 254 6 0 a9 7 ,17 I ?B I u 0 10 2& 0 2A 11 0 12 1 13 26 0 a2 15 2A 0 & 16 M 2 17 g2 7 N 18 7 5 272 19 tn ZB m n 263 Totals 4$74 4.J05 M€a! 115 ?3525 Std Dcv 67t8 1t6 Cdibration sllcts s€rc condudcdovrr thc 193 h surwy roulc frod Fcbruaryto May I9t]9. (TtElatrir'), nrtlrr, .napF (f1l6i@|rrr),and bluc.rah (carlh"ctar), thcrc is su6cicnt ftcshrat.r iallow fiom rail aadfrom thc sacamsaad cccls that thc surfaccwater is freshmoct of thc year. Orcihangitrgvegetation vras not a major obstacleto sighti[g caimaDsand.rocodiles aloDg dost of tle shorc. The 325 tm lorg al6o6t ca4l-likq Rto PaLcio6con&('r thc caltcf,trerrd of llgona Bac.lat with thc RJosico. Tho Rlo Sicois i! c8c6s of 250kr! i! lcrgtb, but only ttc ld,Er 193 tm of thc river war suictEd. I! ilis ar€a,nuci of the shorcvegctatiol hasbeco clcared for nilpas (slashad burn agiculturg. Thc vegetatioltbat reoairs oDtle 1-3m high sardyba s cotrsistslatglly oI dcrsc stardsofwild cancgrass atrd a riety of trc€s Althowb a fewgiart Eeesreoaitr asiodicators ofthe forDer forcst,mo6t tre€s arc seco[dgrowth species, e.g, truEpet trc€s (Cadqpt4pettdt), bgJans, bntshpilcs, or6ow bfe,!, ald associatcdoarshcs providc ideal habitat for ,'ou,rgcrocodilials. Thc RIo Sicois typicalof manyof thc rivc$ itr Hondura!. Crocodilesald rl'.r< tave bcc! huatedh boti Lagula Bacalarand Rlo Sicoia reccnt ycars. Thc discoveryof 300+ caimanskullr andcarcassA od the banls of a kgrDa Bacalart ibutary i! 1988made rcwspapci hcadli!€s in Hordrras atrdle.d local Fople to rcfcr to the locatiodas a catmatrcaEetcry. The datafrm thc two scricr of cdibratiod surr/rysarc shoqmin Tablc61a[d 1 SMica in norticrn Australiaby Mcsscl VorliccL,Wclls, aad Grcco (1981::?67.?71)have shom that tic probabilityof seciry crocodiliarEhcrc tcreed the sightitrgftactioo or'p,' caabc .6tin lcd bascdor thc bitrodial distributioa,usiog thc followiq fornula" P = r-dln wherc: p = sight'rogfadio! for atr awragcsuw€y s = standarddeviatiotr of thc ccDsustotal.s D = mea! @Dsus v:|lut Unfortunately,thc ouober of caioaasaad crocodilcs sight€d yaricd so gieatlybcf*ccl the iadividualrurvcys io thc catribratioaserics, tlaf thc datado rot 6t a tritoDial Ostribotio[ Oata on total lurtrbcrr of both spc.icsfroo thc calibrariorsu.r,cF (Tablcs l andZ) yicLdsthc followrag; f4uta Bacalar RJoSico p - L-:a.44/]69S p - r-6'.&/as2s -fin2 P - P ' -19.60 The ocgatircvalues for'l confrE ttat thc l|.riatioa b€tweersurvcys v/ss too glcat to allow thc ure oftlc formula. Thc crad caus€of thc vardatiotrhas not bcc! ideDtifie4but probablyrcsds &ot raias that occurtd or sooe dghts durilg ttc calibratioasurvcy series. Durilg hearyr,;., rein&oF b.cal up thc bcaa of thc spodightud.cfccr lighr bact hto thc c]&sof thc sporrcr,m"u"g it di6c|l|r to sEcreflcdcd gicshiac" Normally,suncp arc postpo!€d!trtil toEcuial rain passes. Urfuusatcb doriDSthc pcriod of the calibratio! survqTs,it raincdftequ€ntly. Silcc thc d.ataod total lumbcr6 froB thc calibnatioDsun€w do not fit thc bircmial dirtributior, a !€coddformul4 whichtrcats thc largclr truEberof crocodiliarssee! od a singlenight as thoEghit ee. thc total |lllmbcr of crocodiliansprcscnt, was uscd to cstimatethc sightiry fractionof crocodiliaDsless prccis€\a f ir/m IvLcre p - stg!t'rogfractiot for a,t aEragc sun€y i - ocaa cequs rraluc d = naxiEuE trurtber sctn duriogone survey _ Tables1aad2 indicatct[at thc largestnumbcr ofcrocodilials ofboth speciesscctr in kguna Bacalare€3 20& andi! ttc Rto Sicoit was309. ttcrcforc: Irguna B.c.lat Rto Sico p=139.05/208=0.668 P=456/3@=0J6I P=o% P=76% Ccrtaidy soDc crocodilialsrere utrabryatrr o. ot[crwisc hiddcnfrom view ar thc survc]on pa&r€dby, so ttc daxinum noEbcr sct[ k not actuallycquivalent to tic total trumberof crocodilians F€scnt Thc.cforg thc aborlrcalo atcd .ighiing fractionsundoubtcdly arc o€restidatcs" It is oot clcat why the calculatiossiDdicate a 6uch higherFrccntagc of aaimalswcrc sightcdiD the Rlo Sico thatrh the l-igura Bacalar. ltc RJoSico survry couns trail off on cither si& of a nodc i! tf,c ratreeof Zt&260 aocodiliaDssigited (sccTablc 2 aboc), whichsuggasa a nornal disribution" la a normal distributio!, just ovE 95% of ttc populationfals *itii! tso atandarddcviatiotrs of tie dear, so if the totrl firdber! of anid.ls siCted on thc n calbrarionsurr/rF it a lo.Eal dilrributioa tlc sighti4 fra.tion car bc cstinated by a third mctlod usingtf,c fol,owitrgforEula: 32, p = i/(&+t1.05 *hcic: p = sightiry ftactios for a! avcrag!survay i = Eca! cclsusvalug s - sfaadarddcviatioa lhcrcforc: f4lrtra Bacalar Rlo Sico p - 19.05/(8.4+19.0t1.05 = 0.6Cl6 p - 85 6 / (8.62 +a55)1.05 - 05983 p=6L% p-fi% Thcs€s€cm dorc rcasorablcestioatcs ofthc sightingfiadio! of all docodilians. They are slkhtly l@rr tban th€ sccords€t of crtculatcdsiCtirg fractiotrs,whidr, ashdicated above,arc orrrcstiEatcr. Thc largodifrcrcacc bctwccd thc sightirg ftacrioEi€stimated for the kgutra Bacalat a.d R o SicopoputatioB using thc saaotrdEcthod abovcako hasb€er .lidnrrcd. Usingthe same folEula for a lorEal di6tribotio4 tlc calqtfaFnsigLtirg fractiors for the popul,atioDsof crinar and oI crdoqh8 i^lan'6 Bacalarald tuo Sic. ar.: Lagura Bacalar C4imot crwodihts 6l% 6% Ctucethtt 4r'fitt 19% a% Thc,scdata sugga* that, comparcdto eiman, a smallcrproportioo of tf,c Amcricaaaocodilc popoL.tioowas scctr Itr additioo,thc dificrcocr bctwEo thc pcrccltagcoI qocodilcs6€en it thc Lgoon andi! thc rircr 6ight rcfle{t ccologicaldifrcrancca or part huntiDgpressurcs. Howevcr, so few Crocdrhls acun/J*aa ajgitraddurilg tia calibrationsurrrys that samplilrgerror alonecan accouat for tic oblcf,vrddifierqrc!.i bctwclr thc crocodileasd caima! populatioB,ard bctsEcDtftc lagoonald rir,!' populatioB ofcrocodilB, Ifth4c a& rcal diffcrclclq tbcyvril odybc documc cd thrcugh conti[uad nonitorirs ard nqa &tailcd habitatadalysis In the DcaltiDq fo. thc puposcs of this suflcy rcpofi, 60% i! tho rigfuirg Sadi@ us€dto estimatcpopulatio! sizcad deisity for both Cdrnor awodifut chiqrattut 8n Crocodlh/t@nrs. Frgur€! 1 throlgl 16outliar mo6tthc laqEr w'aterways$rvclEd. Dctailcd nap6 are on file eith tL Florida Mu$um ofNatural Hiatoryand t[c DePanaDcoto& Biotogi4 UnircrsidadNacional Aut6nomadrc H6duras. Thc rr$lls of thr sut /rys arc prcscutcdin Tabks 3 and4. Thc duEbersof caidars ad oocodilcssigltcd aadthc 60% sigfuiry ftacion calcularcdabovc provides thc basisfor astimating populatiol sizcs. Dcosiria6arc calo atcd or t[c bariaof thc numbcrof caimatrsard socodilcs \ldthi! tlc sunry routc (Lc. nuhbcr sigltcd/sln/r',l.ngth = sightcddersity/tn, atrdthc cstimatcd popularioa/sunrcylogth - csinated dosity/lu). Thc le4th of the arcasurveyed is p.cscnacda3 nidsttcan lcqth (Mc.r6cla d, At, 1981)or siorclidc dfuanca UrGof midrtreamleogth for lincar habitatrstc[ a! mostdvcrs, st!cam!, ard crc.l(s is rcadilyttrdcrsta[dablc. Horrver, besdsid thc courscsof rirlr s arldsfream!, ard covcsard cmbayEctrtsiD thcir ba[ts, day nal(e the actualkD of shorcliacsorrcyed (ic, tlc ba*s ot both sida3of &e sarermy) coDsidcrablyEo.c thaa the nidstrcsr lcDgtL MidsireaDl€Dgtb ca! alsobc usadfor lagooDltlales, ad pcripheralhat itats, thoughit Daybc inappropriatcif ttsy arc vrry sddr. Cro@diliatsatc foundEorc &cquerdyacar shorcthan i! opc! r"ar.. far frod shorc,and whcn tlc two sid6 (oppositcbanl.s) of tto vaterflay ate parallcl aaddo.c caough!o cad othcr that a qocodilian canca6ily s*im &o@onc fic to &e other, thce ire widti ofthc waterflaycan bc coosidcrcdhhabitcd by tic samcpopulatioL Hocrcr, the *"aterray lnay bc so widc that Eo6t ciocodilia.osnorc alongthc shorerathe;than $rio acrossthe op€[ watcr to th€ oppositeside. Whc! thaf happe!!, thc oppositcahorc c.n bc considerediliabited by a 6€paratcpopulatiod and thc shorclidcleogth uscd for sun€ys,rather thar didstreaE leDrfb" Itr this rcport, suryEyleDgths ald estiDatcddeDsity of crocodiliarsis catculatd oa thc basisof tic midst ean dista.ce for iiiE E crc.lG, ald pcriph$al are.r, andshorclfuc leDgih for lalools. Withia eachhabitat category aI lhc srueclcdars.6 arc listcd il aa carr to wcst aireaioa Tablc 3 revcalsthat Cz,irzalcrocodi&r.r appareatly is so.arc ar to be effedivcly absentftom thc Pacift draiug€s (c.g, Nacaol|rqCtolut€ca, Ncg!) of Hordu.aE i8 scarceia thc northwcstcra rqgion(e.& Chamcle6!, Ulua, Motagua Mico6,yojoa, El Caiotr)of thc coutrEy,ald is no6t abudad i! thc trorth ccntralaad mrthcastcra rcgioos (c{" patuca,Sico, BruE Ita$, f"""laa;. ny confrast,Tablc 4 idicaf a $at Craodfhasacuus occo6 throwhout Hoadura6,but presontlyis nost in frTdanl ttc largcr bodi.s of satcr (c€, Agua!, El C.aj6n)ald ahr€nrfroE smar'ierperiiteral habitat (c.rg.TDguitara, TaDpatirgdi Plaplala,cabt Derde). Ftgurcs17-19 illustratc thc sizcclascs of cainansand cocodilai etcountc.cdduring thc aurrcys. - - Yh9 g*.drtl"ry a& hur e4 largc sFcincls lcam to submergeor movcinto lrgctatiolr at thc fts signof dangcrsucL as thc sw€.poI a spotliShtor the sourd of an-ourboardmotor. Thc odes lhat do lot bidc do tror survivc;they trcomc ooveltyleatbcr produds. As a con6€quetceJlarge size classcailnals atd docodilesprobably arc undcr rcpre,se[tciin Frgur€sf-19. B. PopulationTrcrds ald Biolo$' chiqasius a[Ld,Craodylt s add6 haveb€er ovcr-eqrloitedin Ho8duras. Fcw brcrdiDgsizc ..i-als wcrc cacouatcrcdduriag thc su.vcys.Thi6 scatlity oi brc€.ii.g adults dcp.c,sc6thc poteotiallcproductir€ ratc of thc populatio! matcingit Amorlito.cpfacr tie aaimats bled by h!rte.s. A valuablercsource is beilg squaadercd. Ilovrcvcr,professiouat naiagcdcrl couldrctur! tf,es€populatiors to formcr aburdanccand alklw thcir sustaircdutilization to colrributc sigDficatt forcigtr€r1"ngc to th€ ecodoEyof Hofduas. ltc crocodiliau of eartcraHondura!, panicN arly i! ad arouadkgua Carari".o, *rr. 6urwjnd itr 197 (Klci! 1976 197t, 19t9). Bc{aus! of civil urrcsr in thc lrgiotr, rhoprcsetrt survcys did mt rcrcnsosthoac_popolations sun€ycd lrl ycaraca.lir!. Ewn if it hadbeel pocsibieto suflry Irguna Caratasca,itrcrld not harl bc€npossible to rcpcafthc 191./surr,eys exaCly siacc thc startiry poinis (ic" Fccilc Lfit|rd€ asd lorgitude), dirccioas, atd lcigths of ttoso eadicr surveytoutcs werc Dot aYailabLto our luflry tram6. HoqlglEr,thc rcsulfsof tie earlicr surrcyria Mosquitia(KlciD 1g7, 1yr9) arc ofiDcrcst whc! comparcdto tie r€sultsofttc prcsentsurvcy. L 1Ct, thr Eajo.ity of spcaide$ ofboth spccicsw€r. lcsstha! 1j o total leagt\ rrith thc Calz,ar popdation havinga sightcddersity ea.yitrg fton O/h to 41.9/lm ad a nean of 6.f7kn, l!!Lc tic ODcadr&trpopulatior bad a sightcddcrsity ofo/t E to 24/tm ard a meaaof 0j1Am. ir 19E9,thc Dajority ofboth spcricscclsu:cd againrcrc les. tha! 1J total lergt\ aiah the Caimaa populadotrhavidg a sigfucddq$ity of fton oAm to E55/tm aad a mcanofi3^m. qrhilcthe Oocod)rf,rpopulatioa had a sidtcd dclsity of froE o/k!r ro 1.4/km anda me.n of Ogll(s, In both 1977and 19t]9,thcre crcrcfew targcscxually marurc bdividuals of cither speci$ prqren(i! th€ wild populadoe l:rge cainals atd cocodilcs suwirc hrmtingpnassurc by bei.g wary,by subn€rgug wtctr ti€y sccspodighB or Lcar tle sould of outboatdEotors, by disappcaringlong beforc huatersget clo6€"The oles that atc trot caurtiousdo not sulvii€. For this rcason,the largesizc classe,s (>ZO m) maybc utrderrcprcsc ed in thqscsuwey rcsults. Rc@gnizirgthat €arapolatilg ftod a survcyof on€ populatioato survcysof ot[er, grographicalydifi€reo! populatiotrsEorc tha! a decadelater EiCt dot bc rcasonableJncr€rthcless, tf,. rc,sultssuggrst tbat tic alcragc sightcddcEsity of caiEar populatiotrsdigfu harc rlecliacdalmost 80% il thc 2 ycan sinccIrgula Carata5cawas sunrct&d, daspitc sonc of thc smal populations survr',rd iD 1989havirg d€6itir6 sig ficarrly grcatcr. Tbc avcragcsighted dersirics ;uggcst tLc Aaericaa cocodile populatioad€dincd atEo6t 30%. t24 TABIE 3. ST,IRVEYSoF C,,{a.,N cTocoDILu' IN HoNDURAS Survcy Caidar6 SiShted Estimatcd Estinated leryth(km) siStrtcd dcosity,&a populatioo deDsity/kn Atladic &rinalc rivcrs Patuca 35.0 311 8.9 5lE3 148 Phtano 50.0 953 1.9 15EA Lacriba 65 r24 t9.1 M.7 314 Sico 193 4n 121 389J m2 Agu6! 30 6 02 10.0 Chapagua Ai 38 22 Saladoand Cuoro Ys 7 03 Chrmelcdn 31.0 I 0.6 L7 0.1 tllua E,A 1 0.04 l3 0.1 Motagua mI 0 0 0 0 Atlantic drahaac rnaior laEoo6 ard lrlcs Brus ils v) 165.0 z6 Ibals 46.5 L76 3A 6J Bacabr 5L0 1389. ars 4.45 6 100.0 4.0 Guaimorclo 475 6 0.1 10.0 02 Mico6 ,10.0 0 0 0 0 Yojoa 54.0 0 0 0 0 El Caj6n SsJ 0 0 0 0 Adantic dlaitrae. peripheralhrbitat l-agura'I"rrguitaa 2.O 10.8 l4utra TaEpariDgli 3.0 4 6J 22 f4una Paptatingni &E 16 1J .7 3.0 Cdquarlr6Florer L4 48 v3 g).0 57.1 CriquccPlaplaya 0,4 15 375 25n C.iquchculebra Ll 94 6:r.J rfiJ 14L4 CaMlcaJolamaya 32 t 25 4.2 CriquccabdDcrdc 09 9 10.0 15.0 16.7 Pu.nrc6RIoAgue. 03 Pacfic drainaqcrivers NacaoDc 15.0 0 0 0 0 Choluteca L7$ 0 0 0 0 EsteroI,a B€rbcrin 10.0 0 0 0 0 Negto (Estero SaltBntardo) m.0 0 0 0 0 Totair 1,161.6 ur09 2SB3 Meandeuitie,sAo t Mcan calculatcdfrom calibratioosurvcys TABTA4. SURVEYSOF CkOCODTLqSrCqrUS IN HONf,iUtAS Water{ay Suwcy Gocodil€s Sightcd Estinated EstiEated ldgth(k n) sigllcd density/kd lopolatiotr deliity/tn Atlatrtic drainagcrivcrs Pahtca 0 0 0 0 PlStano $.0 0 0 0 0 h Criba 6J 0 0 0 0 Sico 193 a. OJ Agu6n 3.0 45 L4 75 Chapagua an 15 05 S.lado ard Cucro 945 L4 0.4 0.1 Chadclcc6a 31.0 0.1 5.0 02 6.O 10-0 0.4 Motagua m.o 11 0.6 1E3 0.9 Atla ic drainaqc maior laaoors aod lakcs Brus 64s 11 a3 03 Ibam ss 0 0 0 0 Bacalar 52.0 3. 0.06 5.0 0.1 El Lirio 11 0.4 a3 01 Gusimorcto n5 0 0 0 0 Micor ,t0.0 7 02 1L7 03 Yojoa 54n 0 0 0 0 EI Caj6n 455.7 ?fi OJ 410,0 0.9 Adantic drairaoe pcripf, eral habitet f4uaa Tilguitara 0 0 0 0 kgura TaEp|atingni 0 0 0 0 Lagula Papt"ting'i 83 O.j 6.7 0.8 CriqucsLas Florcs I 0:l L:I CriqucsPlaplaya 0.4 0 0 0 0 Criquc Ia C\lebm 1.1 0 0 0 0 Ca&lcs Jolamaya 0 0 0 0 Criquc cabt Dcndc 09 0 u 0 0 Pucatcsfuo Ague. 0 0 0 0 Pacifc drairaq. rilers Nacaomc 15.0 4 6:7 0.4 Cholutcca 17.0 6 0-4 10.0 0.6 Frtcro L Bcrbcria 10.0 2 o2 03 Negro(Estero SanBemardo) m.o 02 6.7 03 I O(ais 1,161.6 Mca! d€oslies/l(E 03 t.7 'Marinus nudbcrof distiady Ofcrcat inai"iaualsiaenrieea auriag caLbrG;@ 3fr c. CurrcntMaiagcaent AlthoughHodurar did not file its iDstnrmertof ratifcatiotr with tle CIIES Secietariatuntil March 1985,.ati6catio! actuallyocqrrcd sit or s€venyca$ earlic. thrcughAcu€tdo No. 16of 2D Juuio 1 ad approvcdbt Dccicto Ly No. 71 0r Gacct4 2425 ScpticEb.c 1yi9 (Fulcr, Swi& Jorge$or, ard B.autigaD 1987).Both of Hoaduras'crocodiliara arc Fotected ulder CITES; Cair@t o?codl6 or App€rdir II, z dctuodflu etlnlt od AppendixI. Adrna ctao. llt hid€swere e4|orted ftom HotrduraSunder annual esport quota. Article w 2a and3 of CITES re4uncsthat alc.rporr of Appcrdir tr sFcica sbatlbc grantcdoDly sicn thc Sci€ltift Auliority tas drterEiocd that 1) th. €Ao.t wil rot bc drtriscstal !o tbe $rvival of thc specics,ard 2) tbc dagritu& of thc €rportsis Dotso Srcatas to eal| thc sFci€s a casdidatcfor inclu.sioa i! Ap,p€trdixI o to prev€lt it from pcrforniDgits rolc i|! tha c.lsysrons in qbich it occurs. Silcr Kleia s (196 19t, 198) su|cys 12ycars cdlier, no detcrmiratiorr hadbc.a Dadc by RENARE, thc Hoodu.asScieotific Authority, asto wbat idpact thc quotawa3 haviq ou tte wild popufalio!" UDderR€soluci6n No. ffi, on 16March 198&RENARE prohibitede.4otlA of Caiman crocodi&JJhides until this sowcyqas cooplcted (AdaaAdoDio BeDavid.Epcrs. coED.). Without adeguatelimitatioB oa huatilg s€asor!and on th! rmber3and sizos of C'r:"@r cr"codiii8 that could bc f cd tbroughthc y€arsFioi to thi! cxportba4 thc populatioas*crc overhuatcd.Dcspitc t[csc failirg!, tic sFcie,socorrs itr suitablchabitat tbroughout mo6t of dortlcastdn Hordu"a6,particularly i! Mcquitis. Thc hurtirg hasrcmolEd lno6t largp caisa'3; rclatircly fcw caidars Eorc th'r 15 m ir l€Dgti c|Ei! ercountcredduring the survcy!, lt Ve @al,' Caim@ododills oocodi&,tJEalcs satu.c at abourL7 d total lcrgti ard teacha maximumof about23 m total lcngth(John Thorbjarnarsoq pcrsonalcon8uDiqtiont M€dco 1961);fena.lcs daturc at 12 m aadrcad 1"8d total length- The Clntral A.EcricJr caiEaD,Caim6 crtodilus chiqasius,naturcs a! a slightlysEalcr siz!; it is cstidatcd hcrc that fcdrlc$ datute at ahut '.jl E total lcngthand rcach a maxinun sizr of about L6 E, ebilc Ealcs dahrc at about15 D total leDgthaad rcach a maximumsizc of 25 n. Ifhuatiog ia HodduraswErc liEitcd to caimars1.6 m or greatcrin total le[gtb oEIylargc Ealcsqould b€ lilled a.nd virtualy 6[ thc adult fcmabs andth! $nallci dat||rc malca*ould be lcft orlardcd to dfitaid tlc brcrdiq F{n ial of thc popdation If huntingscrc li$ritcalto c.ihrn. 1.6E or grcatcrin total lcrgt\ th6 &plctcd popul,arioD!sould rccoecras tlc sEallcr c-i"i< EaturEd. TLc rcsut *ould bc ddiond su6taiDcdutilzrtior of thc wild caiBrl populrtiors of Honduras I! lat€ 19{}9,after tlc survcyfrctd*ort eas completcdbut bcforc thi6 report was6ai6he4 RENARE rct an irtcrim crpon quotaof 6000 caiEa! hidas" T\cCteodyhlt aauauFpulrtiols ofl{oaduras arc e[danglr€d. Norc of t!€ Amencan cocodilc poPulatioascaa bc chaBdcrizcd asabuadant or oearcarrying capacity. Illegal hu.trtiagoI crocodilcsstil occ1rrswilh litdc or tro fcar ofgovr.amdt interfercncaald Oocodyis 4crrtu.rhid€6 havcbccn crportedsithin tlc ta6t5 ]&ars. Althougl cf,porBofGocodilc bidcshavc bcsr stoppe4 the unconEollcddcvclopEcrl of crocodilcfarms is posinga dcw thcat to tlc snrvivalof the speciesin Horduras. L FarEi[g Articb m of CIrES prohibiBintcmatioDal tradc in ApF dkI speci€.if thc trade is prioadly for coEmcrcialpurposcs. EIID if thc tradc is trot pridarily for commcrcialpurposes, it ij sill prohibite fi Ctaoqlu aa!tus, lcvcr canc bcforc tf,c Cooferetccof thc Patti6 Noe tf,c fatD cauot bc rcgistercduntil appror&dby thc Panieseirher at tho trcd corftrcnca i! gAg or througha po6talvote. Without .cgistratio., tte hrD carirot cxporthidqs" Ia the neatrtime,th€ farm ha8roll out of room for housiagtie iacreasioguuEbcr of Amcricaacrocodiles that arc hatch€dcac& lEar ftom its captivc propagationprogram. z Ranclilg SiE.! Owdthtt @tatt is cndangcrcdin Hondurasard is listcd on CITE; Appcadix! eqort of raffhed hide,rL Fobibitcd. Bclorc randiry couldbc appro\Edundcr thc Fori6iors of CITES Codctcncc Rcsoluliors12 ard 3.15,RENARE x,ouldtarc to dcDo!6tratcthrowh suneyr that thc populatiorsof Crocod)t r aataararc suficirlfly largato alLowthcir tra!6fcr to Appcodir tr for raachingpurposcs AltrnativcB RENARE rould harc to s€€l at aldual ergort quotafor ra4hcd hi RECOMMENDIITIONS Ttc lollowing recoomm&lioDs rcllect both thc rcsultsof the 1989survey and tte goal of a*ablishbg a sustaiuble Fogram for tta Eaxi[rus utilizatio! of the Hordua6 caimanand crocodilc rcsourcc. Howc\er, tie .€coDmcodatiorsarc coDstraincdby loDg-c.stablishedpmcticcs itr the irtcrDatioral cainaa hidc tradc. Catnar oealihls chiltpetitlt - Ar adrurl hu quotafor caimancaa tr madcmore efiective by combinilg it with a sizc[dn that rcstrids tnc harEst to largaD6lcs If sucha quotawE c too large if would lot erdargc. thr caiEanIDIn ,ationbccausc ody larg. dalcs wouldbe tille4 not the brccdirg fcnalc,r or soalL! brcding natcs. Hocrclrr, if thc quotawrs so largt that it coulddot bc illcd ia Hoadurar,it couldprorddc an allnu! by *iict illcgal cainal tridasftom oth€r mtioDscould ctrtc. irtcmatio|ral trade. Forcignbidcs codd bc sdugglcdiDto Hoodu.as and t[e! enterthc tnde wtc! dcalcrsclriE thc hidc,sorigilated withi! Hodutas" The CITESSe.rctaiat brs docudcDted lumciou! i|rstarc$ in eiicb iIcC hid€shavc bcc! traDsshipFdtbrough other natior6to provide thrE sith lcC €xpo.t paFr$ Such'lau&rirg'of ilhgrl hidcshas ocofrcd throughseycral Cedtral Amcricaanarions A largc hurt quoracomt ircd lritl a sizcliEiS wou.ld hun thc local caimanpopulatior if the sizcliait s€rc lot rigoroudycirforcca Whctheror rct citf,cr of thascthirgs couldhappcn in Hotrduras,th€ followiDg rccomEcrdatios avoidthe poteltial problem!by proposhgiaalistic but coDscrvativcoeort qlotas It Cainan ctocdilu chiquius. Ctnoty&tt aauns -Whc3herfor farebg or.aschin& it is Daturalthat commercialprograms for rcariry qocodilecia caFtivityi! Hoiduras look to wild popolationsas a so rcc from vhich to acqui& tncn stocL SisccCITES prohibitsthc e,port of both ApFndix I ald Appcdk tr speciesif thc erpod Eould bc dctriireltal to tlc aul\,iva.lof thc spccias,it rculd bc iEpropcr for thc govcrDmcnt to allowttc farDs o. ranchcato dcsEoythe rcsoucc ttrough cxccssivccollcctiors tom thc *ild popul,atio!-Colcdion of all thc cggsor hatci.liagsprodrced i! the wild wouldbc difficult if not itpocs'blc. Sooc vould bc Eisscdard growup to cotrtributcto latcr gcncratio!& I! thc deartiDc, thc brcedingadults conriauc to produccEorc eggsard batchlirg! eachfouowiDg yrar. By coDtrast, rcm@rl ofr,€ry dary brccdiry adulfshas a nore imoediatc effc.dby d,cFcssingthc .eproductivc pot tial oftlc wild popularioa To avoidthat, manygovcramcntsaaCioocd progams h Africa a{d North ADcrica orly pcrEit cllrdioD of wild cgs| ard f,aktrliDgito stod farD.sand/or raaches. Captu.c ofbrc€ding adultsis prohibited. I! additioq romc progams matdate that crocodilcatd alligatorranchc6 rctum a pcrccltagcofth€ir jearliDgsto the pild. Typi(.lly a majoriryofwild arocodilcsarr lost to prcdlto.s duriry thcir fitst tm t€ars of litc. Relca.siDgcrocodil€s whci' ttcy ar€ ore or two Fsts old ard tro Longcrvuhcrablc to nlt|tral predarorsrould rcplacothc o[cs colledcdfor the fant" Acually, thc falchcs arc trot alyayr rcquircdto rctutn tlhc.nim"l( As long asgovcmacat op.f,atcdnodito.iDg prografis irdicate that thc *ild popuLatioDsarc stablcor in rcasiDg,thc rarchc6 arc aloitrcd !o l(e€! aI thcir ycarlitrg. Ho\Prw., thc farn yadbgs arc availablcfor rcstockiig i! thc ctcnt thc nodtoriDg ndicaf.6 a d!€casc i! thc wild lopulatio8. A scaold Eaior lo6soccors among subaddt qocodil€sl-1J D in hrgtt, thar arc tilcd hy lsrgc, saturc tcnitorial male!,cfiict fu orc rcasotrc,hy qocodilc popdatioB talc so loogto rarovu aftcr bciagsct€Ilb dcpldc4 A. starcdabovr, rcgtstratio! of ttc lloodurar brnr by OTES DUrt a{ait apFolal of thc Parti.. .r tf,c 19y2CnES Coofcdcc or througba po6talrcta Fior to ttc!. Untit tlLt happcrE Amcricaacrocodilc hidcr Day trot bc .eortcd udrr Fovi6iors of CITESArticlc vII 4- I,r additiotr, hidcsof ramhedAmcrical crocodilcacarnot bc ceorttd until ttc partic,sto CrrES apprdE a tiaDslcr of thc Honduraspop!.latiols to Appendir II o. approE an arnual cxport quotaof lalched hidcsfiom Honduaas. Ho*e!cr, *hilc it war applyingto CITES for a trarsfe. of its docodile !'oputatioDso. for an erFort qEota,RENARE coulda.[oe farlrs to oFratc asop€o-cycle ra.nchcs by collettiry rrild eggsaad hatcl i!g." Fr@ 1I}to 36 mortls.rc rcquirei to rcar batciliag Americancrocodiles toshugbGi sizc, so crocodilcshatcied fron cggscollectcd tiis ycar will trot be rcadyfor erlon ashi Protc.td Populrtiod - Therc shouldbc onc or morc lopulatioosoI Caina aveodilut chirysius ad Otoqhlt cdta8 in Hoddura!ehiah atc Dotsubje.aa to huntirg whffc thc spc{j6 ca.tr bc studicdad tha popuLtioDsDonitorcd Ttir would proi,i& a bascagailst whichto Ecasutcthc statusofthc populaaio.sfiom wtict cggsarc collc.rtcd Onc of thc proteccd populatioDscould be thc caiInalr ald croodilca liiiDg i! thc trudcarzosc of thc R.[oPlatano Bio6phcrc Rcservq etich itcludes l4nra lbars ard thc RJoPlata@. Udortulatcly, RENARE basbcctr umblc to providet[c sratr trccdcdto Fotcat thc rascn! adc$Etcb. By contralt, tf,e Enbalse El Cajoapopulation ofAnericaa cocodilcacdoys dc fa.to Fot€ctiotr trecarBcacccss to thc rescrrcir ir l.stdcted" To inalagc thc Hoddirtas!{1F,ul6.no'6, of Caitnatt qeodilus chiapatiusa d Cmcodtlusaafi/t for noimuo sosta.inablcutiizatioa RENARE should l) csablish atr artnualccDsus prograd to monitor thc statusof thc wild populationsof Crtnan audiltrt chtapotiu a dcrtdhs aalns i^Eo ^,'asl 2) prohibif thc coDmcrcial\Irfis8 ot Annot cr*odih.s cii4asnrs exceprundcr liccoseftom REI{ARq 3) cstablishan auual hu ilg and6I'ort quotaof 10,000Caint@ oeodifu chiapaws; 4) prohibit tlc capturcor Lilling of aUwild Orcodrn8 adrdrr adultsad subadults,ex@pt for tlc rcmovalof nuisaacccrocodil* urdrr Dcrnit hoo RENARE t Fohibit th. coUectioaot a\\tild Cncodyhlt acuus cg83and jurcnilcs for srockiDgfarEs ald .arch€s.*ccpt utrderp€rEit from RENARE; 6) pohibit the operatior of crocodilcfarm! ard rancheserc€pt undcr liccns€fron RENARq 7) Fohibit a[ buyiq ard cxportiagof crocodiliaahidas erccpt uoder licerse ftom RENARE; E) rcquirc a! a conditio! of thc caiEa! huding liclDs€: a) that tLc licascd conncrcial huateroaly till -;-".. morc thatr 1.6E i! total lcDgth,vbic[ wiu yi€ld ful bcuyhidc.s L6 d total l€trgthor loDg€ro. flatrls t5 (d total lcagthor loryd, b) thar do motc thar 1W6of thc ""i6,n hid6 maybo undcrthr siz.lidit !o alosr for thc oc..sioral sl&[tly undcnnz.dadio.l tf,c licc$rd httrtcr Eigl'. &ill by Dtuafq c) that thc liccosedcaina! huntrr tag all Ca,irz@[email protected] /t ctiqasius fiM af.tfu tine thc cainatr ! ldlcd eiti lo.Li"g s€.ially.nuabcrcdtags suppucj by RENARE in cooplialcc *ill CITES C.oderctrccRcsolutiod 5.16, ad d) tlat tnc coEocrcjal hultirg of -16'- is prohibitedduriag the nestiagseason fro@1Julc to 1 Odobcr: 9) rcquirc ar a conditio! of thc ouisaacrcrocodilc capture^urting Frnir: a) that th! trappcrsd,eaorstrat€ compctelc€ in thc lirc capturc,haadliq ald bansportof Amcrica! crocodilc.r b) that rc crocodilcoay bc captutci or til€d urlesst[c hunter has.ec€ivcd a vritted iDairuatiolftoE RENARE basedupoo a cooplaiat of a spccificsuisance qocodilc that po6€sa tfrcat to localpeople or their livestocl, aad c) thaf thc trapFr dust aftelrpt to capturaaliE the spcciEccrocodib causingthe lruiralcc codplaint, aDd!o oftcr crocodilc,for trarsport ard salcto a liccnscdcrocodilc farm, d) ttaf if tf,c Fappcris unableto cipturc thc specificcrocodilc causi.ng the nuisanc! coEplai4 he day kil it, and e) 6at, inoediately upor itr bciDgcapturcd or lileq thc livc docodile or itr hide oull bc taggcdh tic tip of thc tail with a loctiog serially-dumberedtag supplicdby RENARE ia conpliasccwith CITES CotrfercnccResolution 5.16; l0) rcquir€ a8a coditiod of thr crocldilc cggard jwrDft colc.tion pcrhit: a) that thc collcdors dcdorstratc coEpctcncai! thc collcdio!, haldlilg, and tralsportationof livo cggsafil jur€nilc crocodilca b) that no eggsand juvcriLa bc captucd udcss thc colaator hasrcccivcd a *rittcn rcqukition ftom a licc8ad docodilc far6 or ranch(this wil discooragc co[cdio! of eggsard juvroile,rwhca therc is ao buycr),aad c) ttat oo cggsor jui€lilas 6ay bc collededitr arcaswh€rc the araual c€lsus gogram indicatcsthc populationis dcdiniq ir nurnbcrs; 11)rcquirc asa cooditiol of thc crocodilcfarm andta,tch licrrs€: a) that thc opcf,ator dcoorstralc compctdrcci! thc handlitrgof crocodiles,prop€r hu5bardrytc.hdques, includirg urdeistaditrg the basicsof crocodilc bchavbr, eggino$atior, flttitioD, aadsanitatiotr, b) t[at thc opcratorshar,r Fopcr iDorbatio!,rcarirg; andbrc€ding facilitics, ard an aoplc sugplyof fmd for thc ooobcrs of crocodilaroa han4 c) tbat l0% of thc farm'syearling crocodiles bc availabtcfo. .cslod.irg dcpleted populatioDsif requcstcdby RENARE, d) that liccnsedcrocodile farm ard ranchopc.ato.s daidtair complctcrrcords of tbc crocodilcscapturd from the wil4 irdudilg adults,young aadhatchlingr, thc nulbcr of cggscollcdcd &oD thc wil4 thc lumbct of trcstsbuilt andthe luEbcr of eggslaid h captivity,thc auobcr of eggsthat haach,tic dudbcr of crocodile,sthat die from discaseo. isjury, andt[e tr|rsb€r that are hllcd to. hidcsor Eeat, €) that, after May 190, Iicenseddocodile farlns ard raachasmay acquirc cggsof wild crocodilesonly ftom the holder of a vdi If RENARE is urablc to impleEent atrd enforce a progrgm that addressestle coDccrns oudised io thesc marageme observatiotrs,thetr all collectioDand captuling ofADrericatr crocodiles and tlcir cggs should bc prohibited witiout exception,and an alrlrual hunting ad cxport quota of 5,000 Central Anrcrican cainarB 6hould be imposed. Actnow!€dgcmedts The CITES Secretariat,and partiotarly Dr. Obdulio Menghi, CITES Scienrific Coordiaator, provid€d tecb.dcalsupport and eD@uragementfroa the ca i€st plarding stagesuDtil thc final report was submitted. The proje.t could not havebeen carried out without the approval and activc participatioD of tbe Horduras Direccion General de RecursosNatualcs Renovablqs(RENARE), Secretariade Rccu$os Naturaled and qspecialy Adar Anronio Bcnavides,Director Cercral of RENARE The Amedcan Alligator FarmersAssociatio4 in ils capacityas a not-for-profit, ta- exeept, rcn-govemmelltal organizatioq provided contractural logistical support for the enrire project. Adolfo Mdclcc, Estancia El Tumbador, Trujillq alsistcd by mordtoring expcnscsdl.lirg the courseof the eotirc projcct. In additiorq hc kindly openedhis Estancia El Tumbador ro house thc fieldtcams whcn thcy were iu thc vicirity of Trujilo and provided other logisticrl support ia Tegucigalpa. hvolvcmedt of the staffs of the El Caj6n Limnological Udir and the Cuero ad SaladoWildlifc Rcfirge cctably made thc work in those particular locdities much easiet. Ramon Zudg4 Jo6€Rigoberto Goillez, a.rd R aldo Alvarez l,erc irvaluable assistanf in tie fietd. Finally. thank arc also duc the manycitizens of Honduraswho assist€dby supplyiryhformation ard encouragemeDtto the 6eldtca.Es. LiteratuleCited Alvarczdcl Toro, M. 19?4.Los Cocodyliade Mcxico, IDstit.McL RecursosNat. Renov.viv + 70 p. Fulcr,IiS., B. S{tift,A JorgensoD,a.nd A. Brautigm. 198?.Honduras. pp.Af81. I'tlayes dEI Comerciode vida Silvestreen Ao6rica l,atina, Actualiz.docon la Asistatrciadc Ardrca L Casti Revis€d.TRAFFIC(US.A.), Washitrgton, D.C. i + 392p. Kitrg,F.w. 1989.Co6ervatiotr atrd Matragcme!'i pp.216u. 1, CA. Ross(cd.). Crocodilesa.nd Alligator& GoldenPress Pty. Lt4 Silverwater,Australia. 2a0p. Kitrg F.W.,and Rl- Bukc. 1989.Crocodilia!, Tuatar4 andTudc Spcocsofthe \rtorld. Assoc, Syst.Collccrions, Washirytoq D.c. )dii + 216p. King,F.W., H.W. Canpbe4 a[d P.E.Moler, 1982 Reviewof the statusofthc Americar qocodile. pp. 8,f98. Ir CrocodilcEProc 5th Workig MeetingCroc, Specialist Group. Intl. Udior Cotrsew.Nat.. Glald Swit?lrland-ISBN 2-8032-2f9-X. Kleiq E.H. 1976.AMIisis de lasPoblaciones del cocodrilo (cairna, oocoditusftscus) y ell,'gatto (Ctocodylusa.un!s) de Honduras.Dir. Gen.Recursos Nat. Redov.,Tegrcigalp4 Honduras. 17p. x€roxed, -. Lgn. A status€v6luation of thc clocodilialsof eastemHondu.ras. Ulpublished report submittcdto Depto.Vida Silv.stre,Dir. Gen.Recursos Nat. Re@v.,Tegucigalp4 Hotrduras. 11p. xeroxod. -. 1E19.Los Cocodrilosde Hotrduas:Su Biologia y €stadoactual cor recomendaciodespara su marejo. Dir. Gen.Recursos Nat. Rerov., Tegucigalpa, Honduras. 33 p. x€rox€d" Medem,F. 1981,las Crocodyliadc SurAmerica. Vol.1. Los Crocodyliadc Colombia.ColcieDcias, Bogotr" 354p. MesselH" G. Webb,M. Yerbury,alrd G. Grigg. 19Tl. A studyof Cmcod!tuspolorrr itr Nolth€m Australia. pp. 206367.In H. Messeland H. Butler,eds. AustralianAnimals and Their E ironm€d. Shakesp€arcHead Press, Sydney. Marsel H" G.c. Vorliceh A.G. Wells,asd wJ. Crcen. 1981.Surveys of Tidal River Systemsid thc North.m T€rritoryofAustralia ard T'heirCrocodile Populations, Monogaph 1. The Bltth- CadeURivers S'stem Study aDd the statusof crocodrlr8porosr in Tidal waterwatsof NorthemAuslralia.Methods for Analysis,and Dynamics of a Populationof C.poasus. Pergamo!Prcss, Sydoey. 463 p. Woodv,af4AI., T.C. Hhes, andDN. David. 1988.RecommendadoDs for considerationof a crocodilcranching program in Honduas. Reportto ElconsultCeotroamerica. 22 p. )(oro)(ed. z + s^ 6 E.;-i E<'Yil #r':F!(!)i E^ e;6 !t o +9F EE€H e cru 9 soiql _EFai o s'gs'E 'tr ;19.2 G $E€X (! = F:.e5 (! .HEg.E* q, N I lrD Figura2. RioPatuca 8amde Brus CaribbeanSea / MarCaribe 0 N Figure3. Lagunade Brus. + CaribbeanSea / MatCaribe Barradg P|etano do \be$g BOuna *s \\ I Figure4. RioPlatano. CaribbeanSea / MarCaribe C,iqu€sPladaya *7-S"-N N I Figure5. Lagunade lbans,including R[o La Criba, Crique paptatingni, and Criques ptaplaya. Qre.'vOa^ -w7,So^ _, / i4ar GlbU O.nd. n Olqs. "era've t**t*. 6quc o'Mly N + 5 Figure6. RioSico and Laguna Bacalar, including Criqus Gab0 Dende and Crique la Culebra' Eanade Chapagua %%^ { ber.o BarEde Aguen \-r nu.., 'r+n Grt\ -aol< vo 5 ttt- c sg 8( N + kn Figure7. RioAgu6n and RioChapagua, inctuding Laguna el Urio. z oo = 5 *o @ A€ C| o (, o o (D '6e o (l =i tf, F o F J I ; . t! iI o CaribbeanSea / MarCaribe N a/e/b + 05 Figure9. RioSalado and RioCuero. CaribbeanSea / MarCaribe Bara del Ulua +N t&, ^-/ :l h Figure10. Laguna de los Micos. N ,+ Embalsed Cal6n kn Figura1 1. Embalss El Cajon. I BatEdd ul'.n CaribbeanSea / MarCaribe tIr^d-?-.". N ATLAN'IIDA + FigurE12. Rio Ulua and Rio Chamelecon' ' LA VISTUO +N . aJEr€s AI'E; Figure13. Lago de Yojoa. CaribbeanSea / MarCaribs uufgtott.F $.@q N fEc)CICALPI'A + CEFAOSOEL OCOr,r! Figure14. Rio Motagua. kn N + Figure15. Rio Negro and Rio Chotuteca, including Estero La Berberia. f,(oNa@o N Ji + (a t F$t Figure16. R[o Nacaome. w ?00 500 Fl 500 z o 400 o UJ 300 = z e00 100 0 <0.5 >0.5 >1.0 > 1.5 stzEctAssEs - Calnan @ Crocayus Ffguro17. Total numbers of Crocodylusacutus u1d Caiman crccodilus cn apasiuscour ed in eachsiza dass (meters).EO (= eyesonly) are thosa signed but coutdnot be approachedctose aiough to e{iBmal6alll:-ryIngnyerelner sz6s- '100 500 o 500 zF l N = 1,510.9 () 400 UJ 300 z 200 r00 0 stzEcLAssEs 100 500 69.0* r.lJ 500 zF l 400 N=825 300 d! : zl 200 14.9% 100 --;5---.1;-=I113gg10%os% 0 l; srzEcLAssEs Fiours18. Totaf numba3 ot Caimancrocodilus chiapasius eunted in eachsize d;as (metars)and perc€ntageof totaleach size cla6s represents. A. 1989 survei. B. 197 survey(adapted from Klsin 1914. 120 6% 10023.5% LIJ zF 80 N - ,100 50 14.8% ul 10% 10.5% : 40 9.3% z 20 4.3% 2-5% 0.3% 0 I I T------T- >0.5 >1.0 >1.5 >2.O >2.5 >3.0 >3.5 a0 19.7% 19.7% TJ IIJ 2 f 14.5% N-76 10 | 1.8% 10.595 ru 9.2% zl 6.6-96 3.9% 3.9% rttl I >0.3 >0.6 >0.9 >1.2 >1.5 > 1.8 >2.1 >2.4 >2.7 Figure1-9. Total numbars of Crocdylus acuttJs@urted in eachsize class (meters)and_percantage ofrgtal eachsize class represents. A. 'tg8gsurvey. B. 1977survey (adapted from Kein 19ZZ). App.trrtir A. Sbtrdrdlr.d Cctrru! ForD! suwcy Locadot: Date: Arca Survcycd: Ild. Stan: Pc$oract HabitatTnc: Gacral HabiratDcscriprion e aic C vatct: CLoudCo'/€t: MoonPhasc: Precipitatioo: Wat.r Salitit,': Watcr ClaritF Watcr IJvel: Tidc Phasci CENSUSDATA SuivcyScctioD. Sizc-Oass (cd TL) EO >05 >1.0 >1J SurvcyScctioa sizc Sowcy ScdioD- Sizc-Oass (ctl TL) >3.0 EO >1.0 >15 Survcy Sccfio4 Sizc-C1asr(or TL) EO >0J >L0 >15 Surlly Scdio!" Siz..Oars (cd TL) EO >05 >1.0 >tji SurrcyScdo!: Sizc4la!6 (.6 TL) EO >05 >t-ro >lJ SurvryS€dior: Sizc-Class(co TL) >05 >1.0 >15 Sur€y Sc.tiotr: Sizc-Clas (cE TL) >05 >1.0 >15