IUCN SSC Crocodile Specialist Group
Grahame J.W. Webb
Chair Mission statement Conservation action Grahame J.W. Webb (1) The Mission of the IUCN SSC Crocodile Spe- L Conservation activities cialist Group (CSG) is to assist the Internation- i. Reintroduction of A. sinensis in China by gov- Red List Authority Coordinator al Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and ernment, introduction of C. siamensis in Cam- James Perran Ross (2) the Species Survival Commission (SSC) to meet bodia by industry and NGOs and introduction their missions with regard to the conserva- of C. mindorensis in Philippines by industry and Location/Affiliation tion, management and sustainable use of world NGO. (KSR #31) (1) Wildlife Management International Pty. crocodilians. Policy
Limited, Darwin, Australia L Policy advice (2) Main activities by Key Priority Area Rocky Point Consulting LLC, Gainesville, i. Crocodile Capacity Building Manual published (2016 & 2017) Florida, US and included on CSG’s website. (KSR #26) Bolster work at national scales ii. Best Practices for Crocodile Farming manual Number of members L Red List published and included on CSG’s website. 606 i. We have relatively recently reassessed and (KSR #26) submitted: Gavialis gangeticus, Crocodylus Social networks moreletii, C. rhombifer, C. acutus, C. siamensis, Acknowledgements Facebook: Tomistoma schlegelii, C. palustris, Mecistops We thank the International Association of IUCN-Crocodile Specialist Group cataphractus and C. mindorensis. We do not Crocodile Specialists Inc. (IACS) and their Website: anticipate doing any of these again soon. donors for the continued financial support for www.iucncsg.org Assessments currently underway for Alligator the operations of the Crocodile Specialist Group. sinensis, C. suchus and C. johnsoni. (KSR #1) We also thank the Numerous NGOs for their Capacity building continued fund raising efforts to support L Capacity building crocodilian conservation projects. i. We have established a CSG Future Leadership Working Group, conducted workshops for group Targets for the quadrennium 2017-2020 members and involved selected members in Barometer of life international meetings. (KSR #17) Red List: review and progress of Red List L Research activities assessments for crocodilians. i. We have already funded 113 undergraduate Capacity building and post-graduate students in 34 countries, Capacity building: (1) fund up to 20 under- through our Student Research Assistance graduate and post-graduate students per year Scheme. (KSR #43) through the Student Research Assistance Scheme; (2) maintain involvement at interna- tional forums (e.g., CITES); (3) to continue pro- moting the CSG Future Leaders Group. Communications Synergy: improve communication with membership. Chinese Alligator (Alligator sinensis), Critically Endangered Photo: Tom Dacey
Summary of activities (2016-2017)
Key Priority Area ratio: 4/7 Key Priority Areas addressed:
• Bolster work at national scales (1 activity)
• Capacity building (2 activities)
• Conservation action (1 activity)
• Policy (2 activities) Main KSRs addressed: 1, 17, 26, 31, 43 KSR: Key Species Result
Orinoco crocodile (Crocodylus intermedius), Critically Endangered Photo: Alvaro Velasco
Conservation action Technical advice: develop updated standard Conservation activities: (1) update and review reference source for crocodilian taxonomy and Species Action Plans; (2) improve the status phylogenetic relationships. of wild Siamese crocodile populations through reintroduction programs (Cambodia, Viet Nam, Projected impact for the quadrennium Thailand); (3) improve protection status of 2017-2020 Lake Mesangat, Kalimantan and Indonesia for By the end of 2020, we envisage: (1) increased C. siamensis and Tomistoma schlegelii. reintroductions and improved status of wild pop- Research activities: quantify taxonomic and ulations of Critically Endangered (CR) crocodilian population status of the Rio Apaporiensis species (e.g., A. sinensis in China, C. siamensis in caiman (Caiman crocodilus) (Colombia). Cambodia and Thailand, C. mindorensis and C. Increasing diversity of SSC porosus in the Philippines, C. rhombifer in Cuba and C. intermedius in Venezuela and Colombia); Communication: to investigate the concept (2) improved legal protection status of habitat for of a “Junior CSG”. C. siamensis and T. schlegelii in Mesangat Lake, Proposal development and funding: to establish East Kalimantan, Indonesia; (3) publication of a fund-raising advisory group. “CSG Conservation Priorities for World Crocodil- Policy ians” and species action plans. Documents review: update Best Management Practices for Crocodile Farming Manual. Policy advice: (1) complete at least two country/ species reviews; (2) develop “CSG Conservation Priorities for World Crocodilians”; (3) Update “Crocodile Capacity Building Manual”.