CROCODILES
7th Meeting
r984
SpecialReprintof the Proceedingsof the
7th working Meeting
of th€ CrocodileSpecialistGroup
of the SpeciesSurvivalCommisionof
IUCN- The World ConseruationUnion
convenedat
Caracas,Venezuela21 - 28 October'1984
(Uneditedand Unreviewed)
IUCN- The World ConservationUnion
RueMauverneyey28, CH-l196, Gland,Switzerland
Reprinted2002
by Taxon Media,Inc.
POBox 192
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CROCODTLES
7th Moeting
1984
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CoverCredit: Caimancrccodiluscrocodilus,Stectael*dCaim*r
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IUCN
PUBLICATION NEW SERIES
CROCODILES
Proceedings of the ?th wolking Meeting of the Ctocodile
Group of the species Sulvival commission of
specialist
Union fo! Conservation of nature and
the International
Natural Resources
COCODFILOS
lrtemori.is de Ia s€ptima Reuni6n de Trabajo alel Grupo de
Especialistas en cocodrilos ale la comisi6n de SuPerviven
cia ale Especies de fa Uni6n Intelnacior:al para la Conser
vaci6n de 1a Naturaleza y de los Recursos Natural-es.
Caracas-Venezuela
21 al
Union
International
Resources
Iucli.
Fundaci6n
para
Universidad
Ministerio
la
for
28 de Octubre
conservation
Defensa de la
Experinental
de1 Aabiente
New York
Nature
Naturaleza
de Los I,lanos
y de fos
lvluseun (U. S. A. )
Socl.ety (u.s.I'.)
Zoofogical
State
1. 986
anC }latural
FUDENA.
Occidental-es
Recursos
MARNR.
Fforiala
of
Ce 1984
Naturales
UNELT,Ez.
Renovables
The publlcation
of
by funding
SSC/IUCN,
fron
these
La publicaci6n
de estas
financiamiento
de la
Proceedings
has been made possible
TRAIFTC USA-, and FUDENA
memorias ha sialo posible
comisi6n
de sobrevivencia
gracias
al
de Especies
IUCN. TRAFFIC USA, y FUDENA.
Las opiniones
de fos
autores
necesariamente
reflejan
expresaalas en estos
aquellas
docurentos no
partiale 1as organizaciones
ciPantes.
CROCODILES
Ploceedings
croup
of
Union
for
uopyrlgnc
of
the
the Seventh Meeting
Species
Survival
Conservation
of
the
Crocodile
Cornrnission of
of Nature
and Natural
the
Specialist
International
Resources.
-^^- Fundaci6n para }a Defensa de Ia Naturaleza FUDENA
rvdb rnternational
Union for conservation
of A_a.u!e
Fesources (IUCN).
and liatural
I
rsBN 2-88032-306-1
Available
from
IUDENA
Apartado
70 376 Caracas
IUCN Publicaticn
Avenue du llont
L07lA-venezuela
Services
Blanc
Cri-1196 Gland
switzerland
Cover photo
Foto Portada
WI^1Flrians Dossenbach
Spectacled Caiman
:
cover design
Diseio Portada
nnifio
Fuentes
Caracas - venezuela
Cainan sclerops
The Internationaf
Unlon for Conservation
of Nature and Natural
Resources (IUCN) vras founded in 1948, and has its headquarters
Switzerfandr
in Gland,
it is an iDdependent international
body
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irtespective
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and social
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and private
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of urban a!1d inalustrial
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natural- resources,
upon which rest the foundations
of his
survival.
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ox scientific
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takes scientific
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
FOREWORD.
. .. . ,. .
VII
SUMMARYOF THE MEETING.....
IX
DECTSTONSOF THE CROCODILE SpECTALTST GROUP.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
IX
L I S T O F P A R T I C I P A N T S. . . . . . . . . - ..........
xxIII
Medina Padilla,
Venezuela.
VENEZUELAI,I REPORTS
G. La Administraci6n
de pauna Silvestte
en
Uago de Perez, Y.
Convenci6n sobre el Comercio Internacional ale Especies Ahenazadas de Flora y launa (CITES), su
Aplicaci6n
en Relaci6n a los Clocodflidos
eD Venezuela.
5
Rivero Blanco, C. y B. DrAndria,
E1 Estado Actual y 1as Ten
dencias de la Investigaci6n
sobre 1os Crocodtlidos
en
Seijas,
A.E.
y Babillas
Situaci6n
Actual de las poblaciones
de Babas
(Caiman crocoalilus)
en Ia Regi6n Norte-Coste
I
ra de venezu6lEll. -: *..........
Gorzula. S. y A. Pao1illo,
O. La Ecologta y Xstaalo Actuaf de
los Aligat6ridos
de la cuayana Venezolana. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
,,Babos en Bateas,' Una naneRivero Bfanco, C. y B. DrAndria,
ra de Parecerse al Alligator
de F1orida......
Rivero Blanco, C., y B. D,Andria.
Censos de Caiman crocoalj lus una variaci6n
Metodol6gica. . . . . . . . . . . -::.:
. . .:;
Rodriguez Arvelo,
c., y M.D. Roblnson.
Estudio del Clecimien to en Cautiverio
de la Baba, Caiman crocodifus,
durante
sus Primeros Meses de vtda....l
-.
...-ll
Boede, 8.O., M-E. P6!raga, N.S6nchez de Boede, N. uedina
ale
L6pez, y H. Castaio.
Un caso de Caquexia en una Baba
caiman crocodilus)
del zoof6gico Las Delicias
de ltaracay,
Estado EeAue, Ve-nezuela.- - -...
Seijas,
A.E. Situaci6n
Actual del CainSn de la Costa. glgggltlus acutus, en Venezuela....
......:...-:.
Rano, C., y B. Busto.
Censo A€reo de Caimanes (Crocodvlus intermedius
(lortuguesa-v6iE-zue
en el Rfo Tucupido
Ia) con
o6EEiiEEiones sobre su Actividad
de S;teamiento...
......
Thorbjarnarson,
.1., and T. Blohm.
captive
Rearing of Orinoco
Crocodiles on Hato Masaguaral - Venezuefa.. ...........
..
3j
55
59
BO
96
fOg
120
CENTRAL AND NORTH A.I,IERICANREPORTS
Brisbin,
I.L.,
C.A. Ross, M.C. Downes, and B. canunon. The Compilatlon
of a Cross-ihdexeC Topical Bibliography
for
the American Alligator.
A Study of Tlends in the l-iterature Concerning and Endangered Species
Hines, T., C. Abercrombie,
F. percival,
and C. Woodward.
Fforida
Alfigator:
Economics, Harvest,
antl Conservation.
Hope, C.?\., and C.L. Abercrornbie. Hunters, Ilides, Dollars
and Dependency: EcoDomics of Wildlife
Exploitatlon
in
132
143
Nest Floodlng
Jacobsen, T., and J.A. KushLaD. Alliqator
a Methodology for
in the Southern Everglades:
Management.....
and PopulaJoanen, T., and L. McNease. Classification
'...
tion status of the American Alligator...
Joanen, T., L. McNease, G. Perry, anil D. Richaral.
-.... M a n a g e m e n tP r o g r a r - . . . . . . .
Louisiana's Alligator
Population Btology and
Kushlan, J.A., and F.J. Mazzotti.
Status of the Amelican Crocoalile in South Florida....
of
J. The Present Status antl Distribution
Thorbjarnarson,
of
tlispaniola
Island
caribbean
on
the
acutus
cr;codvlus -soci;fBehavior
of the Anerican Affigator...
vliet;K:4.
153
16l
115
188
195
203
AFRICAN AND AUSTRALASIAN REPORTS
of the
and Utilization
conservation
Blake, D.K., Status,
Nile crocodile in zinbabwe.....
Examination of Crocodile
!,1,. A Prelimlnary
Hollantls,
1981-1984"
fron
New
Guinea
Trends in PaPua
Population
w.J. Green, and r.c. onley'
Messel, H., G.c. vorticek,
polosus - A Ten Year Overview:
the Populaion
Crocodvlus
lloef-i;a-rfiFo;Eice
of "D!y wet" season anal status,
Management and Recovery. . . .
A.G. we11, w.J. Green, and T'c'
Messel, H.' G.c. Votlicek,
crocodylus porosus, July 1984-, in the
Status of
onley.
Fegion and rn the Tidal waterways of the Alligator
Becovery Australia
of
Northe.n
Adelaide River System
Under WaY. . .
Crocoalile Distributions
Ross, C.A. Comrnents on Tndopacific
Singh, L,A.I(., S. Kar, and B.C. Choudhury. India: Status of
wild crocodiles.
Stngh, L.A.K., S. Kar, anC B.c. ChouChuiy. Indian
a 1o-Year Review of l'tanagement. . . ' ' ' ' ' ' '
arocodilians:
Crocodylus niloticus
K. Status of l-flican
Van Jaarsvelait,
(Botswana, Mafawi and Mozanbique)
Populations
an Update.. '..
Whitaker. R. Status of Asian Crocodiliatls:
TRADE, CCNSERVATIONAND }'4ANAGEMENT
llide
P. An Assessnrent cf the Current Croco'lilian
Brazaitis,
and Product Market in the united states..'
Techniques: New Too]s for the
P. Biochenical
Brazaitis,
Eides and -of Crocodilian
Forensic lndentification
Products........
and Growth of
P. Management, Reproduction
Bra?aitis,
Ycrk Zooloojcal Parl
N
e
w
Caiman crocodilus vacare at the
c
r
o
c
o
c
lle skjn Trade since
T
l
'
e
.
J
.
c
a
T
d
\
,
,
,
e
l
1
Hen]ey, c., and
1979.............
Lut(moore, R.A.. J.G. BarzCo, S.R. Broad, and D'l!' Jones l'
Farming . . . . . . . . . . ' ' ' ' ' : ' ' :
World Survey of Crocodilian
Population
of Crocodilian
Peculiarities
The
Maonusson,
-Dynamics W.E:
fol Managenent InPortance
Possible
and their
Strategies.
CrocoCile Bank''''''''''''
Whitaker, R. The International
and commercisl
conservation
clutching:
R.
Multiple
wfrii":..t,
Implications
VI
242
239
307
349
355
372
376
379
384
389
398
434
443
445
FOREWORD
A-s,a private
olganization.
member of IUCN and affiliate
FUDENAwas honoured to host the 7th ,rorking session of
SSC-crocodi,le s-pECIAL-ISTgroup in Venezuefi in October
cnarreo by Dr. wayne xinq.
of t{Wp
tt" fUCf,fT
lgg4t _'
As. FUDENA's major objetives
are conservation
of species and _
habitats
and environmental
education and venezueli
bavinq five
and possibly
six species of crocodilians,
it seeneC o=p"6i.tty
appropriate
that nre host the group's first
meetinq in Latin A;6
On behalf of all the countties
represen tative s , FUDENAwoutat _
llke
to tbank the participants
foi their
coopetation
anc vatuable
exchange of ideas and hope that tre can all continue
_
to work
towards the comrnon goal.
We niould also like
to acknowledqe
the tr'enezuelan AuCultron S^.iAlv
for their
assistance
and the enthuslastic
parttcipati""
of the I':ational Crocodile
Specialist
group_ coordi;ateC
by"";-;;i;
FUDEUA,
vr. Ivan Darlo Maldonado, Dr. Jos6 Ayarzaguena, Tcm6s Blohm, and
Dr. Pedro Urriola,
Dr. ledro ,r6uregui, and Cristina
Ramo frcm the
Western Ll-anos University
{UNEI_LEZj generously hosteC the field
trips
to llato Ef Frfo, Hato lUasaguaral and N6du1o Expertmental
_
UIiELLEZ wl.r:chaCded greatty
tc the enjo)rment and experience ot the
par!lc,LpanLs.
_
_The supncrt of foreign and ]ocat organizetions
-Lrke the Florida
State Museun, New york Zooloqical
SccictV, UNELLEZ
and the directions
of fnformation
and pesearch (DGIII-). Adninlstra_
(DGAA), lntexnationaf
tion
(ODEPRI), and the National
_
Affairs
Wildlife
Service fron the Venezuelan, It,inisterio
det Ambiente y de
los Recursos Naturales
(MARNR) ccrt i}'ltEd
Renovabfes
to make lne
meeting a success.
OD behalf of a1l the participants
a major vote of gratituCe
nust
be extended to Cecifia
Blohm, assisteC by r,upe Chdiez for tnerr
year_of hard working efforts
to organize and cooralinate this ,neetinq,
finafly
special
thanks are ctue to ihe !"inistry
of the Fnvironnent
and
Natural
Resoulces for opening the nreeting by the Director
ceneral
Dr:. ArnalCo }lorales ,fattal. and the closinq
Cere.orrv by- Inq,
Fafael_
Vjloria
Dlaz, Director of AdninistrFtion
ot U,rpl\.tn-_
This report
on the !,rork of the IUCN/SSC CrocoCife Speciafist
is deCicateC to FeCerico Iedetn lrho died on the 1st MFy 1994.
croup
Dr. lieden was born in Latvia to Baltic,/cerman
parents.
Ee obtaineal
his doctorate
fron the Humboldt University
of Berlin.
In 1950 be
travelled
to Colonrbia at the invitation
oi or. llario Laserna of the
Universidad
de los Andes in Bogot6.
He adopted Col.onbian
citizenship
in 1985,
Dr. lieCen L'as the author of more than 90 -
VII
publications,
but he is best knov,tn to the IUCN/SSC Crocodlle
crocodilians.
croup for his work with South lmerican
specialist
in South
of
crocodilians
decfin€
Iiis concern for the overall
rucN,/ssc
and the
lvith
the
deep
involvement
1ed
to
his
Amerlca
vice_President.
Fund, of ithich he became a legional
world l,fitdlife
biologists
by his robust and couotless
Dr. Itleden stimulated
deneanor, his useful counsef anC his constant alesile to
affable
learn nore about the world which surleoundetl hin. In the nords of
for Copeia: "Is was a
Lamar, who wrote his obituary
Willian
me that one can age ani
who
showed
to have known Fred,
Privilege
anC that one can be
youthful
wonderi
sense
cf
a
r;tain
still
erninently aware of the l'astness cf that which
Iearned anC ren;in
one ioes not know".
FUDENAhopes this \^tork contributes
we have afI undertiiken
to
the
conservaticn
Rafael Tueela R.
PresiCent FUDElil.
VIII
efforts
SUMI{APJ OF THI] I.,IEETING
The 7th Vrorking yeeting of the Crocod.ite Specialist
croup (CSc)
ltas convened ftori 21 to 28 October 1984 in Venezuela, unde! the
sponsorship of tbe Fundaci6n para la Defensa de 1a Naturaleza
(FUDENA), anal in collaboration
vTith the Sociedad Conservasionis
ta Audlubon de venezuela (SCAV), the t'ntversidad
NacionaL Experf
mental de l,os l,lanos Occidentales
Zanora,, (L'NELIEZ) ,"Ezequiel
and the Ministerio
de1 Atnhiente y de fos Recursos Natulafes
Renovables (llARNR). The first
four days of the $orking l.leeting
were filled
with the presentation
anil discussion
of formal
papers -- the first
day's presentations
focused entirely
on the
situation
in Venezuela, anil the remaininq sessions covered
-- anal with the
crocodilians
and progra.rns in other regio;s
business meeting.
A fieldtrip
occupied the last three days.
fhe tneetings vrere open to anyone actively
involved
in crocoalilian
conselvation,
as reflected
in the pa).tictpation
in the meetings
of nore than 60 research biologists,
wildlife
lranagers.
crocodilian
farrnets. goverDnent officials,
and hide inCustry
experts floln 16 nations.
As at previous neetings.
the agenda of the neetinq sras olganized
arountl four topics:
1) teports
on the conservation
status of the
species and populations
of crocodifes
in various parts of the
vrorldi
2) reviews of nanagenent practices
and oplions r
l)
devefopments in reseatcht
and 4) deci6ions
and priorl.ties
arising
out of the business neetlng.
A total
of 48 papers irere
presentealr those that were subnitted
for pubtication
appear
below.
At the business neeting,
the Crocodite
Specialist
croup revielred
a nurnber of conservation
issues,
inclualing the crocodilian
program of the Venezuelan
nanagenent
government,
and proposafs
fron several nations to change the listing
of their
crocodlle
on the Appenalices of the Convention on International
Populations
Txaale in Endangereal Species of l/tild Fauna and Etora (CITES). The
decisions
arising
from the review, and the priorities
set for
conservation
action and for research are surrr!'arized here.
This voluFe rras edited by Stefan corzula
Berlaty
aDa Cladys Toc.h€nund€r *e .rrrdinntjcn
and typed by Armanda
cf .-4-cjlja da Bfoh'".
DECISIONS
RECOUTEIIDATIONSTO T:IE VENEZUET,ANGOVERNME\IT
The CSG comrenaled the yinisterio
de1 Anbiente y Ce los Recursos
Naturales
Penovables (MAFNR) for the tine and effort
they have
put into developing
the progtam for conservation
managemant of
particularly
Venezuela's
crocodifians.
noteworthy is the
initation
of a large and varied research program that proviales
Without
is based'
the data cn which the nanagenent s:rategy
the
finest
intc
plogram
is
develoPing
questior
the uAINR
-program in Latin Lmerica and coulc
conservition
lrocodilian
serve as a nodel for other nations in the henisphere'
questionea
the MARIiRestimate of 3'000'000
Severaf participants
ba inan crocodj.lus , present in the -Venezuelan 1la!""*""
of
"!i"u",
counted a !ota1
lt-pntqR staff
eiFIETned-TIa€
corzula
nos.
hectaes
of
234'000
survey
in
a
cainans
subadult
and
42.715 adult
for
factor-of-1'29
Using a correction
of habitat in the lianos.
of
55'000
ploCuce
a
totaf
the caimans not seen in the survey
caimans cr between 18 anci 24 cainans per square kifcneter'.
of 2O calnans/Km2'
Other inaepenaent studies yiefded estimate;
covels
habitat
suitable
naps indicate
and topographic
vegetation
20
denslty
cf
so
a
flanos,
in the
1O8.9OO square kiiorneters
of 2.179.000 adult and subcainans/(nr2 yielals an estimated total
cai[,ans.
aduft
the hunt
explained that IiAB}]R plans to restrict
Gorzula further
dc
not grot't
fenales
tctal
length;
1.8
neters
ovei
cainan
nale
to
and
adult
of
the
20s
caiman that Lalge representec
i.tq.itt.l
reporteC
Dixon
anC
Staton
by
UAFNR.
sampleal
sJacr:lt-population
Basec
study popr:laticn'
18t of their
r.presettt"d
ttt.l
n
a
l
e
s
4
3
4
'
0
0
0
.". two salrQlas, there should be 390.600 to
o n t t 1"ir"'.i...
progran
The
I{ARNP
the
llanos.
fenqth in
cvet 1.8 meters totaf
of 195'300 to 217'000, of
a1lolt nore than 5ot, a naxinum
riii
'"'r'i1 ?ssure reproduction
in
"
.
t
This
be
killeC.
to
tr,ales
tfrese targe
year's
During tiris
is not hindered.
the wild populations
harvest the quota ni11 be far fewer'
experinental
was
carlos Eivero Blanco exFressed concern that the Iq1'RllPstaff
pLior
to
the
'tiic
either
the
censusin|
lopulationsnol iaeq"atefy
the
if
to
see
checking
was
not
cr
aiterward,
irunts
exp"rin.ntat
onry the 1ar.qe na1es, and was not accuratelv
killins
;;;;
;;;;;;;
Tom6s Plohn exPressec
the sale anc export of hices.
.""ii"tl"g
the sarce worries.
the
throughout
urgeC the governnent to establish
Peter Brazaitis
al1
in.dl^ich
sanctuaries
and
oi
national
; systen
r\arks
;;;;at
cen be I)rotected eoequaIer:''
oi Venezuela's crocooili"ns
the
thet iespite
Professor l{esse1 and several others indicated
in
meters
l'8
less
than
caimans
on l(ilIing
I'I\RNR restrictions
vtay
The
only
be
killed'
will
ienales
. number of smaller
f."itn,
present
staff
have
N?'FNR
to
is
are
kil1ed
r'any
holr'/
to ;etermine
a;; cainLans are- skinnec. so they can be sexed anc neasuiec'
;;.;
the chairnan
aiiscussicn,
adalitional
After
for inProvins
ii';-;t;;;';-;;;.mnendations
progran
develoPec bY I"IARIiR:
x
of the csc sumnarized
the alrea{]v exceptional
1) A major effort
should be rnaale to census, both before
each hunt anal afterwards,
alf the areas that are openeal
these counts, it will
be inpossible
to hunting.
llithout
the effect
hunting
is having on the wild
to aletermine
populations
to the
in time to nake aaljustments
Prior
next open season.
2) MARNR staff
shoulal be present
on the ranches vrhen
many of the caimans axe skinned 5o they can be neasured,
sexed, anal other biological
alata gathered.
Also on each
of the ranches that participates
in the hunt, MARNR
the lequireal
should train
one or more persons to collect
data when the !,|ARNRstaff
cannot be present.
fron killing
3) Hunters anil ranches shoulal not profit
fength or front
caimans smaller than 1.8 meters total
exceeding the quota set by MARNR. Undersized antl over
the quota hides should be confiscatecl.
governlng the hunting of caimans
4) Laws and regulations
the
nust be rigorously
enforced in order to protect
critically
endangered crocotliles.
crocoaylus
acutus and
crocodylus
intermedius.
A hunter ma-g6E-not m;ke-erare crocodiles,but
Iiving hunting only the increaslngfy
the continueil
slaughher. of
caiman hunting can subsidize
the few lemaining
clocodiles.
If he can sell its hide
penalty,
without
a comrnercial hunter earning aalequate
pay by legal-Iy hunting caimans, will
kil1 every crocoalile
he chances to find,
shoulal be n'atle of
urannounced inspections
5) Periodic,
\^tarehouse to monitor
every tannery anil every dealel's
hides.
In addition.
since hides are
traale in illeqal
by airfreight,
I'IARNRshoulal
shipped internationally
bl11s of
monitor exports by checking the cargo records,
AlI
of the varj.ous airlines.
laaling, and air waybtlls
packages are weighed prior
to loading,
so the
airfreight
average v/eight of a tanned hide or crust can be used to
estirnate the number of hides in a shipnent.
protected
6) r..tARNR
shoulal estabfish
sanctuarles
for
crocoalilians
in regions and suitable
habitats
that
parks or equivale$t
protectetl
presently
lack nationaf
This syster\ of enclaves v/ould assure that
aleas.
geographically
widespread and genetically
diverse
populations
of crocoalilians
r^rouId be protected
in venezuela
in the event that hunting is not adequately controfled
elsewhere.
TO THE CITES SECRETARIAT
RECOMMENDATIONS
The Australian
rosus torn
Pr
al to Transfer
fts
II.
PoDulation
of
Croc
As at the meeting of
eCSGinA
a two years ago, Goff T,etts led the
aliscussion of the Australian
submission.
His presentation
the CSG had nade of the
adalressed many of the criticisns
governnent
earlier
submissioD, which the Austialian
in Botswana,
withdrew at the CITES Conference of the Parties
After a thorough tliscussion
by the various participants,
Professor Messel spoke for the entire
audience in
government for correcting
the
conglatulating
the Australlan
rrajor shortcomings of the prevrous pxoposed managem.ent planI{e then called on the CSG to endorse the preseot proposal.
(evin van Jaarsveldt,
David Blake. Lala Singh, Gorilon crigg.
anal others asked that the CSG seek assurances that the
of
Australian
authorities
\^rill not allow the collection
parks in order to stock crocodile
farmst
eggs flom national
not a1lon the safe of hides or meat from crocodifes
will
netst will
close the rivers
and estuaries
dlownetl in fishing
of Kakadu National
Park to net fishingr
and will
support
by
nonltoring
of the Australian
crococlife populations
Goff Letts.
t{arry 8ut1er,
and
independent researchers.
present at the meeting
other Australj.an
representatives
they would urge the
and indicated
accepted the suggestions
governnent to give these assurances. They also
Austtalian
to kill
or capture
the governnent's intention
cfarified
around centers of human
up to 100 saftvrater crocodiles
Approximately
to People.
habitation
where they pose a threat
will
come fron Daf\^tin Harbor,
80t of these nuisance clocoaliles
and 5? fron the rest of the
15t fron the Daly River,
that
Northern Terrj,tory.
Any of these nuisance crocodiles
have to be kept alive
farrn will
are placed in a crocodile
on the farm for a minlmun of one vear before thev can be
killed.
submitted to the rUcN
Is nas agreed that draft
resolutions
General Assenbly by varlous groups opposing or supporting
the present Australian
submission to crTEs would be
endorsingthe
resolutio[
withalrawn ln favor of a joint
for the assurances inalicated above.
subtnission but calling
It was furthel
agreed that the csc chairman would
the endorsment of the proposal,
conditionaf
collrunicate
the assurances sought, to the CITES
upon receiving
prior
secretariat
to the CITES Conference of the Parties
Gordon Grigg anal Kevin van
in Buenos Aires in April
1985.
to draft
the joint
resolution,
Jaarsvefdt
were enlisted
which \^tas carried
to the General Assenibly by the chairman
to the CITXS Secretariat
in an I
anal later
transmitted
):I I
trCONSERVATIONOF THE AUSTFA],IAN POPUT,ATIONOF
CROCODY',USPOROSOS"
"Aftex carefulfy
exarnining the 1984 Australian
proposal to CITES
to tlansfer
popufatlons
the Australian
of C. porosus to Appenalix
II of CITES anal noting
that the proposal
aadr;EGEd-nunber of
criticisms
raised in respect to an earlier
application,
population
concerning crocodile
protected
status,
areas, aborlginal
consultation,
details
of ranching anal other aspects of managenent.
the IUCN/SSC Crocodile
Specialist
croup, meeting in Catacas in
October 1984, expresseal its support for the proposal,
believing
that it will
have benefits
for the conservation
of the species
without
detrlment
to the A.ustralian
population:
saltwatet
crocodile
at this conclusion,
the Crocodile
"In arriving
Specialist
croup,
expressedl concern at the continuing
conmerciaf netting
for
barramunali fish in the estuaxies
of Kakadu National
Park, to the
detriment
of C. porosus \^rhich are an important
part to the park
ecosystem, anal lequests
the Australian
Managenent Authority,
in
conjuction
with the Northern Telritory
Authorities,
to cortect
this
situation
as soon as possiblerr.
rrThe Crocoalile Speciafist
Group, accepted assulances from the
government representatives
Austraflan
that egg harvests wilt
be restricteil
to flooal-prone
sites and harvest of live crocodiles
s/ill be carried
out strictly
in accordance with the proposal
and management planrt.
Specialist
croup also, accepted assurances that
"The Crocodife
the Northern Territory
Conservation
Conunission would cooperate
person or persons noninated by the Australian
with a suitable
Management Authority
to act as intlependent monitors of field
survey operations
and data as required',.
rrThe Crocodife
Specialist
croup commends the Aust).a1ian
auttDrities
for the inpr:oved policies,
progranmes and updated
information
which have enabletl this positive
step to be taken,
and recognizes
the valuable
contributions
rnade to the programme
by the University
of Sydney over the past 13 years. and urges
the Australian
governtnents to encourage indepenalent researctr
such as that of the University
of Sydney".
Progra!fies
al
from Mala\^ri in Behalf of
lus niloticus
from
Various
ixf
African
States to
to Appenalix IT.
professor
neeting participants.
After the dlscussion,
Messef proposed that the CSG oppose the weakening of
justified
protectlon
by hard Clata.
The CSG concurred anal
parties
indicated
it vrould like to support the African
but
population
cannot for lack of information
on
trends in the
lriId poputations.
The CSC chairmai ;as lnstructed
to
comnunicate
the decision
of the Group to the CI|FS
Secretarlat,
which was alone in an I january 1985 letter:
YIIT
.The primary justification
for the Mala\ti submission on
in the
nations that participated
behal-f of the African
in A STATEMENT
setninar seens to be set forth
Brussels
PR.ESENTEDBY MALAWI ON BEHA],F OF THE AI'RICAN GROUPON
and presented at
THE NrLE cROCoDllE that was drafteil
the false Plernise
rt sets forth
the Brussels seminar.
nere not
proalucing nations of Africa
that crocodile
placed on
w
a
s
n
i
l
o
t
i
c
u
s
present or consulted when C.
the
species on
pIa;;ne;E-6F
that
T
of
CITES,
ippe"aix
T was alone on the basis of "armchail conservation
eiiendix
antl not by peoPle cognizant of on_the- ground
siiategies",
This same false prenise ls repeated almost
situations.
verbatlm in section 7.3 of the Malalri submission tocrTEs'
The use of catch-Phtases such as "adaPtive wildlife
Positrve leeoManagementthat rely (sic) on a sensitive,
between the humans and the
back loop of the inleractions
and does nothingr
submission
to
the
no
alata
adals
animals"_
Ahe
nations'
African
in specific
the situation
to clarify
premise siilply
is wrong.
nations partici'pated
crocodile-producing
"The African
on CITES ApPendix I at the
fullv
in placinq C. niloticus
that wrote lhe cTTES'The
l9?3 Pl enipoteni i a ry--onTEi6frce
participated
in that conference:
detegates
lfrican
following
- H'E'
Alqeria : S.A. Hadi-Mokhatar, A' !4ekidechet Botswana
M
a
g
enge'
F
6
l
j
x
An6s M. Dan-be,Samuel A.Mpuchanet Burundi
FrancoisH.E'
Nkuo,
Thaaldeus
Cameroon Michel Kos Epanque,
- H'F' vjchef
iirrier rcrto'.tngu; Cential Afrjcan Republic
Candide Ahouansou' Saturnrn soglo:
Adana-Tanboux; Dahoney
Mohaned Salamt Ghana - pnthony
Ahned T. Khalil,
EqvDt
A.O. Adede, A.li. Changawa, D'Gichero,
Kenya
K;;;ah-Dickr
P
.
Olindot Madagascar _ II'E' Henrr
H.E.L.O. Kibinge,
M'
Bernardin Rajonhanes; Malawi - calfisto
Raharijaona,
Niger
Lahlou,
Abdelhaq
omar Belkora,
Khona; Iaorocco
Y
o
u
s
o
u
f
o
u
t.
G
'
o
u
n
a
r
o
u
1
4
'
H
a
d
i
z
a
,
H.E. ibdoulaye DialIo,
- Jean-Marje
P
w
a
n
d
a
o
s
e
n
i
;
l
.
M
.
O
n
u
e
k
w
u
s
i
,
G
,
N
Niqerja
Gafabazi; Senegal - H.F:. Andre Cou1bary, Birma FaIl' Momar
J-'J. PaLmer, claudius
l,aone - H.E. Philip
Fal1; sierra
Hey'
Douglas
Botha,
S.R.
Hohan
H.EThohas r South Africa
_
Gadir
AbdelMamoun
Dawooal,
Ahmed
Sudan
Pfessist
S.S. alu
Mohamed osman Abu
EI Payah oner, Ilassalrafia,
Yousif,
Absalom v' Mamba,
B.
l,ukhele,
Seneinai Svtaz-i],and Malachia
- Martin A' Kivumblt
T
a
n
z
a
n
i
a
S
u
k
a
t
i
t
M
s
i
n
d
a
z
w
e
H.E.S.T.
Dagba, H'E' Epiphaoe Ayi
Parfait
Togo - William Adjoyi,
I
uppex
Ghodbane, Moncef Riahii
hbdelaziz
Tunisia
Ma;ussii
zambia Yaguibout
Teleshpore
H.E.
Dorninque B. Sisso,
volta
Eeralanand E. Mwanza".
chad observers participated:
"In aatalition, ttle folfowing
_
H.E. Timothee NiGuetta
H.F. Lazare Massibei lvory Coast
Nouama".
Emmanuel
Batigne,
Jean
Ahoua,
he
"At that meeting, Botswana proposed that c' nilgticul
P
o
o
l
e
Y's
a
n
d
o
f
C
o
t
t
b
a
s
i
s
t
h
e
O
n
I
T
.
Iisted on append.ix
IUCN Pub]' New Series'
survey (Crocodiles,
1971 African
Suppl. PaPer I! 33), the u.S.A. recollllnended Placehent on
IIV
Appenallx- I.
That placenent
was suppoited
by (enya and neaily
every other Aftlcan
nation
that spoke on the issire.
Mohaneal
Osman of Sudan eloquentfy
pointed
out that r,rhlle the llile
crocoalile had been decimated in surrouding
nations,
the spectes
renained abunalant in the Sud; nevertheless
in a gesture o-f
cooperation
with its neighboring
states the Sudan supported
an Appendix I.-listing.
The delegates voted to place-lhe
spectes
on Appendix Iri.
rrThe first
meetlng of the conference of the parties
in Berne,
Sq'itze!}antl, in 1976, $/as attended by alelegates from: chana, 2
alelegates; yadagascar,
2r Morocco, 1; Nigeria,
1, South Aflrca,
!, Zaite, 2".
"Observers
1".
were ptesent
irorn:
Cameroon, 1t l,ibya,
2, anal Sudan,
'rAt this neeting
the U.K. delegation
proposed anendnents krhich
would have put all crocodilians
on Appendix I.
Jt wa6 defeateal,'.
proposed sevetaf
"The Swiss delegation
anendments \^rhich removed
subspecies fron the Appendices.
This ri/as approved as \ras the
replacernent of all crocodilians
individuallt
Iisted
on Appenalix
II $/ith the inclusive
taxa, Crocoalylidae and All iqatoridaa,' .
"Madagascar proposed a number of animals aDd plants
for
and deltsting,
but made no mention of any crocoalifian',.
"Morocco proposetl
S":-*+:+:I9,
transferring
all
three
African
listing
crocoaliles.
q.- 9e!3!!I9- ctus,. and ostg-olaenustetrasqis,-to
a.e,
FPPenor). rr but offered no s'-pportlnq data. l4f,rocco is not natidr that
produces or trades in croc.odiles for tire international
r.epLile teather trade,
t rt lt does ha\,'es ties with lyance, one of the laioest ixForters of docodile
hiCes. The lYbroccn Drcposal \'as not approved by tlle pal.Li;s',.
"Houever, the Partles
did recognize that sotne species needed to
be transferred
fron one appenatix to another,
or to be delisted
altogether.
They afso recognized that additions,
deletions,anal
transfers
without
supporting
data would lead rapidly
to political
decisons overriding
the purpose and provisions
of the Conventaon.
I"or this reason, the Parties
drafted
and approveal the Berne
cfiteria
for addition
and deletion
of taxa; criteria
based on
best available
data.
The parties
also were particularly
sensitive
to criticism
that woutd resutt
if species wer.e listed
without
consulting
with the states in irhich they occurreal.
It \^7as
decided that all future ploposats
for fisting
and alelisting
would be circulated
to rande states for thei;
comments prior
to
consideration
by the parties t'.
"To address the problen of revlewing
the appropri.ateness
of
fisting
on the Appendices, the parities schedufea a speciat session
of CITES to be convened one year later
to review the species
Irstangs.
During the year, all the parties
were expected to
gather data on listed
taxa that occurred withj.n their
national
borders or under their
jurisdictioo',.
in Geneva 'Ire$t
Parties
"The 19?? SPeciaI Wo.king Session of theyailagascal,
1t
2; Nigella
1
delegatet
Ghana,
participant;
from:
3
"
.
A
f
r
i
c
a
,
south
"No proposal
on crocodilians
wele
offereal
or considere'lrr'
realized
of the Geneva meeting, the Parties
"At the conclusion
so theY
that not alf the listing
Problems haal been alealt with,
fol
consi'Ieration
species
gather
on
the
alata
agreeil to continue to
at the next Conference".
in Costa Pica ha'I
"The 1979 CITES Conference of the Parties
1; Garbia J'i Ghana 1
F4y3i,
2
alelee'at€st
Botswana'
participants
fron:
1:Senegal,
1t
Nigeria
Niger,
li
1t
l,orocco,
ienya 4_; vadagascat.
4
"
.
Z
a
i
r
e
,
5
i
T
o
g
o
1
i
A
f
r
.
i
c
a
,
1t South
"Observers
attenaletl
fion:
Liberia,
2i
lar.zaiiat2i
zambia,
1".
fron APpendix I
C. niloticus
"Bots\^rana proposetl tlansferrlng
though it was note'I
no h'rd Eata,
to Appendil r-r, but offered
irecent
of over 100
total
produced
a
counteil
counts
seiial
that
clf
r
n
Iight
a
l
o
n
e
.
.
.
.
u
R
i
v
e
r
t
h
e
o
k
a
t
a
n
g
o
o
n
breeiling females
(conducted
in the okavango delta
coren Biomberg's fielalstudies
of the
and Pooley's docunentation
as part of an FAO project)
did
Parties
the
in
Botswana,
;xploitation
of crocodile
hisiory
'
the
transfer"
not apptove
'The U. s. A. proposed transf erring
nissi-ssiPpiens-is
Al ligator
poputatron ol
t
h
e
U
.
s
.
T
T
'
a
n
d
from Appendix I to Pppendix
Both
I.
to
APpendix
II
ApPendix
from
acutus
Crocodiius
Both were aPprowed
documanted with data.
o-posals 'ra;lerf
Ly the ea::ties".
q. porosus from Appendix rr
transferring
"lnalia also pxoPosed
tttat proPosal also_waF acconpanied by infornation
to Appendix i.
Rased on
range states.
status in indiviatual
on tiE species'
g.
from
all
to
transfer
agreeal
the Parties
those dala,
99I99!g
populations
were
Guinea
Papua
New
that
the
I.
except
Appendix
left
on Appendix II".
recognizeal that the task of revie\^ting the
"Again the Parties
had not been completed,
of Appendices listings
apiropriateness
be nade to
antt alain they requested that a special effort
job
at the next conference".
conplete the
"The 1981 CITES Conference of
from: Bots\tana, 2
delegations
1r Kenya, 2i lliger,
n.pr]ili",
3r Tanzania, 1t Togo.
Af;ica,
,,Obsetvers
attended frcn:
Uganila, 1t zinbabvie, 3r'.
India,drew
in Delhl,
the Parties
African
Centlal
delegates,
senegal, 1t south
1i Nigeriia,2i
zanbia,1"'
1, Tunisia, 1t Zai're,3,
A-Lgeria,3r
xl'T
sonaIia,2;
sudan, It
"PaDamA and the U.S.A. proposed transferring
afl the rsnaining
populations
of C. acutus fron Appendix tI to A_ppendix I
(remember the U.S.A. populations
rnete transferred
in Costa
Rica).
Again data were suppfied on status in individual
range
states.
The Parties
approveal the transfer.
In adalition,
Zimbabwe naale the Parties
ah'are of its intention
to request a
transfer
of its populatlon
of C. niloticus
fron Appendix I to
Appendix rI at the next meetinq of the Parties',.
noteal that the next CITES Confer.ence would be the
"The Parties
lo-year
anniversary
of the Convention
and $rould be an appropriate
occasion upon lrhich, once and for a-LI, to clean up the
Appendices listings.
(continental)
It was agreed that regional
meetlngs would be helal to pool data anal develop positions
on
species listed
from those regioDs.
The Europe, North Anerica,
Asia, anal Australia/Oceania
neetings were held early enough to
rePort the
results
to the Parties.
The Latin America neeting
\^tas helal after
urging by the CITES Secretariat.
The African
meeting was convened in Nairobi
after
United Nations funding
was found to reiniburse the travel
costs of delegates".
nThe 1983 CITES Conference of the Parties
in Botsrlrana delegations
from: Botswana, 29 delegatest
Caneroon, lt Gambia, 2i Xenyi, 2;
Liberia,
1r Madagascar, 1r Malawi, 2t lfozamt'ique, 1r Rsranda, 1;
Senegal, 1r South Africa,
3i Sudan, 2i aogot It Zanbia, 1t
zinbabwe,3".
"Observers
were present
fron:
Congo. 2tr.
"Madagascar, Mozambique, Togo, Zambia, and Z inbablre all submitted
ploposals for the transfel
populations
of their
of C. niloticus
from Appendix I to Appendix II.
Only the Zimbab\^reproposal was
accompained by hard data and a complete description
of its
program for the species.
conservation
The proposal \das
overthelmingly
approved by the Parties.
The Madagascar , Mozanbique ,
and Zarriia proposals were not approveal, and Togo withdrew its
proposal " .
"Unfortunately,
it was in Botswana that some of the African
Parties
first
volced the opinion that nany of the .Pfrican species
had been pfaced on the CITES App€ndices by northern
nations and
not by African
nations.
The criticism
from
resulted,
in palt,
the unhappiness over the Nife cr.ocodile proposals that were
turned down by the Parties,
but more directly
from heatetl alebate
surrounding
the proposed transfer
of the leoparal from Appendix I
without
hard data.
The clains were Fatle largely
by delegates who
were unfamiliar
i^'ith lhe history
of participatlon
by the various
African
nations recordedin
the minutes of past CITES neetings.
They also ignoreal the past actions of the Parties
to protect
the
interests
of the ranqe states and to encourage development of
data on the appropriateness of the species listings",
producing nations
"By any measure, the crocodile
paxticipate
q. lilqticus
in putting
on Appendix I of CITES, anal
X\III
in the decade that has passeal since that time they have had
to generate data on the status of their
ample opportunity
populations".
is it has
aspeci: of the whole incident
"The nost unfortunate
data on the status
produced a lot of rhetoric
anal vely lil:tle
effort
would
Even mininal
of the species under question.
have produced adequate data in the 1o-years since CITES was
to gather data on the status of
vrritten.
It is not difficult
lrhich is the
in river,
Iake, and estuary habitat,
clocodiles
It is harder to
in nost of Africa.
habitat
of C. niloticus
but successful
in marsh habitat,
census croc6dilEl6Fii:ttions
prograrmes in Australia,
Papua New Guinea, U.S.A., and
venezuela show it can be done even there".
"Despite the 19?7 Special Working Sesslon that exanineal the
for
Appenalices, despite the continued urging of the Parties
native
individual
range states to review the status of listed
species for the Costa Fica and Delhi meetings, despite the
1O-year reviews that Precedeal
eifort
involveal in the regional
fron z iriibabwe, dial
apart
involved,
Bots\^rara, the Parties
seminar, Malawi
the Blussels
Iollotiing
to gather data.
Iittle
to
on the status of c. niloticus
a questionaire
dial circulate
to
cITES.
EppaiEntTf-6nlv
nations that are Party
the African
in tirne for Malawi
10 nations had respondeal to the questionaire
answers for Appendix 1I of the submission to
to compile their
CITES".
The P
its
osal from Tndonesia to Transfer
us porosus fror. Appendix T to Appen
66onea-an
suEnl=sfat ias
so incoiplete
latsions of
x
II.
that
discussion
Nevertheless,
the chairman reviewed the
nras difficult,
t
h
e
s
t
a
t
u
s of C. porosus in that
i
n
f
o
r
m
a
t
i
o
n
o
n
Iatest
trade -in_Tiaes originatino
nation, including international
there.
The Group could not support the proposal and
the chairman to so infolm the cITES Secretariat,
instructeal
done
in an 8 January 1985 letter:
was
which
ve!:y littfe
"The six page Indonesian submission contains
p
o
r
o
s
u
s
L
h
aE nation.
i
n
t
l
'
e
s
t
a
t
u
s
o
I
C
.
inFormation on
y
t
h
e
Fost general ,
B
i
o
l
o
g
i
c
a
l
D
a
L
a
c
o
n
t
;
i
;
;
.
i
l
c
.
2
section
the
It does not utilize
anil incompfete data.
sketchy,
recent studies, e.9., R.Taruningkeng
data from relatively
dan Kenungkinan Pengembangan
1975.
Studi Eabitat
et.a1.
sungai lalan dan Pale:nbang
eopulasi
Buaya di Daerah Aliran
Dept. Pertaman, Dir. Jen. Kehutanan, or
Sumatera Selatan.
observers.
from reliable
even recent anecdotal obsetvations
of
to the "wide distribution
h addition,
the reference
Population
is
in c.2.3.
the country"
crocoaliles
throughout
C. porosus does have a v'ide geograPhic
nisleadinq.
tlistribution
in ;naonesta, having once occur.red virtually
l{owever, Fost populations
the archipelago.
throughout
in the
Onty the populations
were deciinat.ed before 1970.
parts of Irian
Jaya remain relatively
less accessible
abundant".
>'VI I I
"Sections C.3, Economic \ra1ue, C.4. Ptoduction tctivity.
and C.5 Traale Data are misleading.
It is wrond to
suggest that i11egaf marketing of crocodife hides jn
Irian Jaya is a resuft of traditional
hunting of the
yany of the peoples of -trjan Jaya have
Iocal people.
traditionally
hunteal crocodiles
for subsistence,
but
the hide buyers operating in Irian Jaya for the most
part are relatively
recent transnigrants
fron other
parts of Indonesia.
Even before the crocodile
was
protected in 1980, many of the buyers operated crude
ranches where snalI wild-cauoht
crocodiles
were reared
to cotunercial size before slauqhter.
Refetence ltas nade
to these operations
in the Joh; Lever/FAO crocod.ile
sorvey of Irian
.Taya citeal in the Tndonesian subnission.
Prior to 19?0. at least three similar
tanches were
(personal observation,
operated in Sararinda.
Kalimantan
W. King).
One even operated in Jakarta,
Java {personal
observation,
W. King) . Most of these ranches went out
of operation
when the r,rild populations
of crocodiles
could no longer support an uncontrolled
harvest ofadult
hides and lIve juveniles
to stock the tanches.
The
,Ihe Jakarta ranch
Sarnarinda ranches had closed by 7972.
htas stil1
operating
at a low level in 1976.
Onfy the
ranches in lrian
Jaya anal few in -<umatra continued to
operate into the 1980s.
Some of these lanches are now
registering
with the Directorate
General of Forest
Protection
and Nature Conservation
{PHPA)".
"Section C.6. Protection Status is par:ticul arly mi sleading ,
It states that C.porosus "l-as leen _orotected (under Decree
of the l,linister
of Agriculture
N'176/Kpts/un/1Al1980)
" in
1980.
SeCtion ?. Additional
Renarks suggests that
enforcement of the protected
status began in 1980 and has
continued to the present tine.
Unfortunately,
no
information
is given on what protection
lras calleal fol in
the 1980 decree; it could do anything
frorn prohibiting
protection
tlunting and providing
total
for wild crocodifes
to simply requiring dealers to register
as farners.
Regardless of what was specified,
protection
exists
mostly
on paper.
nnforcer,ent has consisted
largefy
of registering
crocodile
farrns.
protection
Very litt1e
has treen afforded
the inild populations.
The hide buyers and farmers operate
with little
on site regulation
and have better
conttol
over the exploitation
of crocodiles
than does the governmentIt is lnteresting
to note that Section C.6.3 nentions ,'local
stricter
regulations on poachino", wh-ich inplies
that
qovernr0ent restrictions
central
on poaching are not strong
or are not enforced".
"The lndonesian prcposal also lacks aletailed infornation
on
protection
of C. porosus and its hal-itaL throughout the
range of the species in Indonesia.
Section C-6.3. refers
lI t:
!'ostly
ln Irian
to habitat
areas lhat are to be reselves.
,laya antl sumatla, but makes no mention of Kalj,mantan,
sulawesi,
Java, or any of the other islands
lying between
Java and Irian
Jaya or bet$reen Irian
Jaya and Sulawesi.
and
Unless C. p9I9E!:
is protecLed jn geographically
parks and leselves,
ecologically
widely dispelsed
national
it vrill be inpossjble to conserve the genetic diversity
that the species
of the species,
and it seens unfikely
will
be maintained
throughout
its range at a level that
ecosysteris as
allows it to perfofln its role in natural
called fo
i n C T T E SA r t i c l e
ITT 2 (a)".
'rThe Indonesian submission contains
no detailed
iDformatiox
on governfient research on crocodiles
ainred at establishing
the status of the wifd populations
thr:oughout the country.
These data ale needed in order to develop and implement
any nanagerent schetne for sustained util,ization
of the
crocodile
resource.
The subnission
also lacks detaifed
for the
information
on any existing
managernent prograrF€
crocodiles,
apart fron the Irian
Jaya and Sumatra crocodiLe
farms.
to "the
Sect.ion C.4. contains
a passing reference
for stocking
capture of young crocoaliles of a defined size'
Neither
in any
the farms, but that size is not stated.
hov/
information
were established,
on ho\r these size linits
they !.rill contribute
to the managenent of the crocodile
resourcer or ho!r' they are enforceal".
no data are provided on hov/ the governlnent
"Similarly,
1eqal hides produced on farms and
intends to alistinguish
hides from poached crocodifes.
Other
ranches from illegral
the thiteal
crocodile producing nations, e.g-, Australia,
in great
states of America, and zinbablie, have described
detail their requirenenLs for tagging legal hides with
non-reusable
tags, and their
systen of validatlng
llcenses
and export permits with security seafs that cannot be
rnodifieal or forged".
"In the absence of these nany data on the status of the wilal
populations,
to proviale a factual
basis for
on fieldstudies
m a n a g e m e n to f t h e r e s o u r c e , o n c o n t r o l o r h u n t i n g , o n
regulating
of young crocoaliles
to stock
the collection
farms, on licensing
of hunters and farners,
on narkinq of
within
national
hides. on exports pernrits,
on protection
parks and protected
implenentation
areas, and on effective
and enforcement of the nanagernent progranule, the Indonesian
Scientific
Authority
cannot satisfy
its obligations
under
CITES llticfe
TTI 2 (a) with C- porosus on appendix I, and
COUID NOT S.ATIST'YITS OBLIGATiONS UNDERArtiCIE
IV 2 (A)
:h^
1
if
L'aro
+rrncf6rra^
the absence of these data, the Parties
to CITES will
not
be able to nake an infortneal decision
on the Indonesian
proposal to transfer
its populaLion of C. porosus from
Appendix I to Appendix II.
Without these data, the
Indonesian submission does not satisfy
the Berne criteria,
neither does it fifl
the requirerents
of Con. 3.12".
XX
Inalonesian
"Although it was not part of the original
subnission
to CITES, the Director
ceneral of Fotest
Protection
and Nature Conservation
has authored a DaDer
entitled,
INDONESIA'S APPEAL: PPOBLEMAND STATUS dF
TURTLES AND CROCODTT,ES,
which was distributecl
to
delegates to the 16th Generaf Assernbly of IUCN in Madrtal
in Novembre 1984 ---see
attached copy. This paper, Iike
the oliginal
submission,
contains
little
hard data on
(or sea turtles).
the status of crocoaliles
On the other
hand it does elucialate a bit nore of the crocodile
ranchino/farning
scheme, i.e.,
"Panchers are required
to release at least ten percent of the reared products
(sic) into the wild habitat
(and) are tequired to
...
develop ... full crocodile breeding farrs".
Unfortunatefy,
the paper gives no inalication
that any effort
is belngr
nade to enforce any protecting
laws or tegulations.
Instead,
it gives the distinct
impression that the total
(and sea turtle)
cxocodile
coDsetvation
effort
in
Indonesia consists
of proviallng a legal neans whereby
hides tnay be exported,
in the hopes that
the hunters
anal
dealers \^rill be persuadeal to support conservationt'.
"The available
data (Groombridge, 1982.
IUCN AmphibiaReptilia
Red Data Book, vof. 3, cfand, Slritzerland.
+ 426 p.t King, Campbelf, t4essel, and Whitaker.
xliii
1979. Revier,/ of the status of the estuatine
or saltlrater
yimeo report, 33 p.; R.
crocodife,
Crocodyfus porosus.
Ta r un'in q ke nE-;Ei-EI-r
! z el---Et ua i Fabi tai dan Kenunskinan
Pengenibangan Populasi Buaya di Daerah Aliran
Sungat
Lalan alan Palenbang Sumatera Selatan.
Dept. pertarnan,Dil.
Jen. Kehutanan) suggest the follor,ring
status for g,porosus
populations
in Indonesia:
Surnatra-Although
stilI
found in rnost large rivers,
crocodifes
are rare everywhere.
Even in establisheal
park,
parks, e.9.,
national
cunung l-euset Nationat
their
survival
ls not gualanteed.
yay be present
Siberut - Depleted and rare.
in northnrest portion
of islanal.
Java - No confirmed siqhtings
years, except in Ujong (ulon
west Java.
anylrhete in the
palk in
National
in
resetve
last 5
extreme
Kalirnantan - Depleted everl,whele i some populations
endangereal ot extinct.
Crocodile
ranches operating
at Samarinda on the Mahakam river
ceased operations
before L972 because of scatcity
of young crocoaliles.
Lesser
Sunda islands
-
Rare anal depleted.
Sulawesi - Pale or endangered.
A few snall populations
survive in estuaries
peninsula.
on the northern
xxr
present ob Bulut
ltaluku - Depfeteil in Aru; still
from lrlahai on the north coast of CeraFt
reported
!a!e efsewhete.
Timor
-
status
unknov/n.
depleted where heavify
Jaya - l,ocally
lrian
even in the Cunung l-orentz Peserve.
exploited,
can
The populations
\didesPread.
otherwise
stilt
is takenr'.
action
easiLy recover lf conservation
to the crocoalile
data available
"The prel-iminary
t
h
e q. porosus populations
t
h
a
t
G
r
o
u
p
s
u
g
g
e
s
t
s
Specialisl
harvest
ii rrian
Jaya misht be able to sust;in--;EEilated
data cone from the brief
even nor^/. These prelininary
Jaya cited in the rndonesian
John Lever/FAo survey of lrian
field
proposal and from anecdotal observations
of reliable
rt should be noteal
working
Jaya.
biologists
in rrian
that a second, more detaileal survey is Pxesently
further,
on the
information
underway which shoufd provide better
This
status of the Irian Jaya crocodile populations.
of an annual census
second surv€y coufd serve as the start
prograrrme that monitors the status of the resource and
The CSG
provides the database for a management scheme.
should be
Jaya populations
the Irian
aloes not believe
such a census proqranune is established;
exploited
until
\^'ithout data on
is not possible
sustained utilization
and on
population
on mortality,
numbers r on natality,
requirements".
ecological
of c.
Jaya Populations
"ft coulal be argueal that the Irian
porosus should be transferred
fron Appendix T to Appendix
and the
i T-;? CITFS to altow for ranching to occur there,
of the species should remain
other Indonesian poPulation
to protect
be inpossibfe
Fowever, it r'ill
on Appendix I.
government does not:
if the central
these other popufations
provide adequate protection
through development of a
proglanrlte that takes into account
comprenhensive conservation
EtE;eeds of Ule r€sio'na-L crocodi le pogulal-ions and tlEn enforc€s-it'
Poached hides sirply
Wlthout such a ptcgianre ard witttout enforcerEnt,
t-be guise that tlrev a-re legal hides frqn lrjan Java"
G o,"tf."t h
"ia.r
"lii
p
r
e
s
e
n
t
t
h
e
tlre,
Indonesia lacks a comprehensive
"At
programme for the conservation
of Crocodylus porosus, and
on crocodile
regulations
it fails
to enforce the existlng
and hide sales and exPorts.
hunting,
ranching/farming,
popul.ations are rare,
The majority
of Inalonesian crocodile
Eor these many reasons, the
enalangered, or depleted.
specialist
Group cannot support the Indonesian
Crocotlile
pxoposal to transfer
of Crocodylus porosus
its populations
from Appendix I to Appendix II".
X}iII
PARTICIP.}NTS
IN
THE 7TI{ WOFKING }TIEETING OF TI]E
CPOCODIIE SPECI.}-T,IST GPOUP
Abercomhie, Clarence I-.,4005
Fforida.
32601 - USA.
S. l4ain Street,
cainesvilte,
Asanza, Eduardo, Aveniala 12 de Octubre, Universidad
Cat6li
ca, Departanento d.e Biologla.
Apartaalo 2184,
euito l
Ecuador.
Ashley,
Don. p.o.
usa.
Box 13679, Tattahassee,
Florida,
Ayarzaguena, Jos€, Fundaci6n de Ciencias
Apari.aalo 1930, Caracas - Venezuela.
Nat\rrales
Bfake, D.K,
Box 127, St.
Africa 3936.
St.
I-ucia Estuaty,
Blohn, Tom6s, Fundo Pecuario
cas 1010-I - Venezuela.
Boede, Elnesto O.,
cias, lraracay,
Masaguatal,
32317
l,a Salle,
Iucia
Apartado
South
69, Cara-
Zool6gico Las Delicias,
Aveniala Las DeliEstado Aragua - Venezuela.
Boede, Nancy SSnchez de, Universialad Central de Venezuela,Fa
cultad de Ciencias Veterinarias.
Quinta Avenida San ila:
cinto,
Edificio
Apanate, Apto. 8-F, yaracay, 9staalo Aragua - venezuela.
Boher Benettl,
Salvaalor, Instituto
versidad Central de Venezuela,
de Zoologla Tropical,
Caracas - Venezuela-
Uni
Brazaitis,
Peter,
1 0 46 0 u s A .
New York Zoological
Brisbin,
I. Lehr,
Fiver Ecolooy
233 Thir:d Ave- Aiken, ?.O. Drawe F.savannah
- CSA.
I,ab., Aiken, South Carolina
Park.
Bronx,
New York.
Busto Farrenechea, Renjamln, Universidad
Nacional Experiraental de Los ]-lanos Occialentales "Ezequiel
Zar^orai'.
Ia Co
Lonia, cuanare, Estado portuquesa - venezuela.
Butler,
l^Iil1iam Henry,
6001.
cPo Box C1580 Perth
ltest,
Australia
ca1der6n, claude, nrnpresa Tenera Surarielicana,
C.A.
Vla T6cata, Kn. 2, Estado Miranala - Venezuela.
paracotos,
Castro, tlernan,
Vla TScata,
paracotos,
Empresas Tenera Suramericana, C.A.
Km. 2, Rstado l,liranda - Venezuela.
Choudhury, B.C. Crocodile
Pesearch Centre,
Road, Pyderabad 500254 - Tndja.
ZZIII
Lake Dale R. Naqar:
D'Anatria, Bianca, cf,t3 Eo6loqos consultores,
1080-A. Venezuela.
David, Dennis,
USA.
4005, S. Main St.,
DIaz Matalobos, Marta
cio Oasis, P.g.-3,
C.A.
Apartado 80531,
GainesvilIe,
de Los ?,nqeles,
San Bernardino.
Caracas
Florlda,32601
Avenida Soublette,
EdifiCaracas - Venezuefa.
Dorta c., Enrlque. Residencias Fund. Maracay TI,
tado 02, Maracay, Estaalo Aragua - venezuefa.
Edi.
-
57,Apar
ligueroa,
del Ambiente y de los ReDouglas - DG]IA, Ministerio
cursos Naturales
Renovables, Edificio
Camejo, Esquina Ce Camejo, Caracas - Venezuela.
Godshalk, Robert,P.o.
80477 - USA,
Gorzula, Stefan
ficaci6n del
Box 7'73846, steanboat
springs,
Coforado
CVG, Electri
Divisi6n
de Cuencas e Hidrologfa,
caronl, c.A. Apartado 624I1. car.acas - venezueTa.
Goudie, Graham Stewalt, Bus 423510, Mailand Holding PTY ITD,P.O.
Box 20r Lae Papua Ner^rGuinea,
Grigg,
Gordon,
cuti6rrez
Este,
!'orestvifle
8 Cherama Cr,
Eljury,
sa61, Ouinta
Caracas - Venezuefa.
NSV], Aust.ralia.
Eaydee, calle
TRAFI'1c/US 1501,
Henley, cinette,
D.C. 2009 - USA,
Connecticut,
Amazonas, Prados del
Lve.
NI'l,wasbinqton
Hernandez s., Gustavo 8., Urb, El Vifledo, Avenida Dr. carlos
EstaCo carabobo
sanda, Quinta Belinala Nr 101-223, valencia,
Venezuefa.
Hollands,
i4artin,
-
Box 2141, Boroko NCDr Papua,New Guinea,
Zoological
Hunt, R. Howard. Atlanta
Ga 30315 - UsA.
sE, Atlanta,
Societyr
800 Cherookee,
Ave.
colombia, enIskenderian, Nora de, curtiembres Delta, c.A.caile
tre 7a. Avenida y La Silsa Nq 14S, Catia, Caracas - Venezuela.
Institute
of
Jacobsen, Terri,
Athens, 6A, 30602 - usA-
Ecology,
University
National
Robert, WiIliams G., Australian
Jenkins,
service, P"O. Box 635, Canberra City,
wildlife
Austlalia,
Joanen, Ted. Rt.
1, Box 20-B Grand chenier,
of
Georgia,
Parks &
AcT 2601
Louisiana
10643 - USA.
Jomaron Darmancier, Bernard J,, Tenerco - 1a, Aveniala Santa EaluLocal 9, Caracas 1071 - venezuela.
vigis,
}iXIv
Kar, Sudhakar, wtldfife
Conservation
Bacasore Orissa,
India.
King, I'. Wayne, Florida
3 26 1 1 - u S A .
State
Division
Chandabaci,
Museum, cainesvi.fte,
Ftorlda
Lazcano Barrero,
Marco Antonio,
ReaI de cuadalipe
Crist6bal,
Las Casas 281, ChiaTrrs, I'l6xico.
Letts, G.A. Conservation Conmisslon (N.T,)
Springs N. T. Australia.
i,uxnoole,
Richard,
IUCN, 219c ltuntlngdon
llagnusson, Wilfiam Ernest, R. Nelson
CP 478,69000 Manaus Al{, Brasif,
N! 55,
San
Cap RD, Alice
RD. Canbridge
Batista
Sales
Manolis S. Charlie, Conservation Conrrission N.T.,
38495 VTinnellie NT 5789, Australia.
U,K.
126,
INPA,
p,O. Box
Marcano Sp6sito,
Jos€ Miguel, Conandancia General FAC, Callej6n Machado, E1 Paralso,
Direcci6n
de Guariderta Ambienta
de los Recursos Naturales
Renovables, Caracas - Venezuela.
Mazzei Mannarino, Leonardo, Universidad
Centlal
de Venezuela,
Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias,
Maracay, Estado Aragua Venezuela.
Medina, Gonzalo, DGAA, Ministerio
de1 Amblente y de los
sos Naturales
Renovables, Torre Sur, Piso 22, Centro
Boltvar,
Caracas - Venezuela
Iledina,
clenda,
Messel,
H. Prof.
l4essel P,I.
Miliani
Piso
FUDEI'IA, Apaltado
Mrs,,
Kurt,
of
c/o University
R., Adolfo,
Calle
2, Apartamento 2,
l{o1er, Pauf E.,
Gainesville,
!4u1ler,
University
Witdlife
florida
Sidney,
of
- Venezuela.
Sydney, Australia
Sydney, Australj.a
3 de Montalban, Resldencias
Caracas - Venezuela,
Research Laboratory,
- LSA.
Gugolzstrasse
Mufroz Garcta, Isnaef,
cio 3, Apartamento
703?6, Caracas
8r CH-8004 Zurich,
RecurSimdn
2006.
2006.
Aurora,
4005 S. llain
St.
Suiza.
IUTY San relipe,
Istado Yaracuy
Edifi.
4, San Fefipe,
Estado Yaracuy - Venezuela.
Ochoa c., Jos€ R, Ministerio
del Ambiente y de los Recursos
turales
Renovables, Servicio
Nacional ale I'auna Silvestre
Apartado 184, I'4aracay, Estado Aragua - Venezuela
Na-
P6rez P€tezt I'rancisco,
Ilinisterio
deI Ambiente y de los Recursos Naturales
Renovables. Servicio
Nacional de I'auna Silvestre, Aparitado 184, Maracay, Ilstado Aragua - Venezuela.
xxv
P6rez, Yuraima t{ago de, DGAA, Mlnisterio
Renovables, Torre
Recursos Naturales
sim6n Bollvar,
Caracas - Venezuela.
del
Sur,
Ambrente y de los
Piso 22, Centro
de1 Ambiente y de los
Pefra, !4irna Ouelo de, DGAA, l4inisterio
ale Fauna silvestre,
Renovables, Dlvisi6n
Recursos Naturales
Caracas - venezuela.
Torre Sur, Plso 22, Centro Sim6n Bollvar,
Farm ?TY LTD,Suite
Edwards River Crocodlle
Onions, Vlctor
iI.T.,
'l/75,
48?0,
Australia'
cairns,
AbboEl. street
Queenslancl
Jos€ A., Florida
Ottenwalder,
ur', university
conservation
USA.
Pantin Alfonso,
venezuela,
Leslie,
state Museun D. Forest Res.
Gaineivif1€], Florida,
of Floriala,
fiacienda
Paya,
Turnero,
Estado Araqua
-
Universide Zoologfa Tropical,
Insl:ituto
Pao1i1lo O. Alfredo,
dad Central de venezuefa, Apartado 47599, Caracas. 1041-A,
venezuela.
Pdrraga, l,laria Eugenia, Universidaal Central de Venezuela, FaculAna Cristina,
calfe
Edificio
tad de Ciencias Veterinarias,
lllaracay, Estado Aragua - venezuela.
coronoto,
Pernalete
N., .losd Manuel, Palque
Avenida Los Abogados con cruce
tado l,ara - venezuela.
Ramo Herlero,
Tros Lfanos
Portuguesa
Zoof6gico y Botdnico Bararida,
Es
calle Uoran, Baxquisineto,
de
Nacional Experinental
Universldad
Cristina,
rrEzequiel
Guanare,
Estado
Zamolall/
Occldentales
- Venezuela.
IBDF, DeparRebelo, George, Rua 5, Casa 88, Manaus-A.!4, Brasil,
1
8
5
,
6
9,000 Manaus
R
e
s
e
l
v
a
s
C
.
P
,
e
P
a
r
q
u
e
s
N
a
c
i
o
n
a
i
s
tamento
Brasil.
cRB Ec6logos consultores
Rivero Blanco, carlos,
80531, Caracas 1090-A - venezuela.
Robinson, lllchael,
Universidaal Sim6n Bolfvar,
Caracas
Sartenejas,
Estudios Anbientales,
Roilrtguez Arvelo,
Gustavo, calle Alareda,
dos de1 Este, caracas - venezuela.
c'A^,
ADartado
Departanento
- Venezuela-
Quinta
Mariela'
de
Pra-
def Amblente y de los Recursos
Analr€s Eloy, l4inisterio
Seijas,
Nacional de rauna sifvestre,
Renovables, selvicio
Naturales
Apartado 184, Maracay, Estado Araqua - Venezuela.
Edificio
Sefna, C€1so, AgroPecuaria San Francisco,
Seguros, Piso 6, Chuao, caracas - Venezuela.
Stnba, Kayama, Departament of
Boroko, Papua Nelt Guinea.
xxvr
Primary
fndustry,P.Ot
General
de
Box 2747
Singh, 1,.A.K., Camp. National
Chambaf Sanctuary,
Morena 476001, Madhya Pladesh, India,
Post
Box-11
Su6rez Rivero, I'€lix
ifos6, M.T,S, - c.N. Ofici.an Central de
y
Incendlos Folestales,
zona 1, Ministerio
de1 Ambiente
de los Recursos Naturales
Renovables, Caracas - Venezuela.
?horbjarDarson,
ilohn, Florida
Ilortda
32611 uSA.
Van Jaarsveldt,
Africa.
Kevin,
P,O.
State
l4usseum, cainesvi.1le,
Box 2569 }:arare,
ZiFbab\re,
Sout)'ern
Vernet P., Pedro D., Avenida Principal
de Caurimare, Residencias Kamar, ?i,so 1, Apartamento f-B, Caracas - Venezuela.
Vliet,
Kent A.,
cainesville,
Vorlicek,
Australia.
of Florida,
Univexsity
Florida 32611, USA,
George Carl,
watanabe, Myxna,
11201 USA.
Department
Maney University,
141, Columbia
Brooklin,
Heights,
wilson
Conservation
Jay, -115 Nw 34th st.
Zoology,
Maney Sydney,
Webb, Grahame, Conservation
Cormlission
winnellie,
N.T. 5789 Australla.
Whitehead, Peter: John,
Darwin, Australia.
of
c/
N.T,,
Comnission,
Gainesville,
Florida
New York
P,O. Box 38151
P.O.
Box 38496,
32606, USA.
Wilkinson, ?hi.lip u,, 407 Meetin St. ceolgetown S,C. 294401
and !,larine Res, Dept. f'ort Johnson USA, So, Car, wlldtife
- USA.
Char les ton , South
Carofina
woodward, Allan
USA.
R.,
4005 Main St.
32601, Florida
Gainesville,
Yamakoshi, l4egumi, R., Nelson Batista
Sales, 126 Manaus -A.lil
Instituto
Nacional de ?esquisas da Amazonia, INPA Caixa
Postal 478 Manaus Am - Brasil.
OBSERVERS
Artis,
te,
l46ntca, Ca1le Morichal,
Caracas - venezuela.
ouinta
Dalmacia,
tr'lariela, Calle A]aneda,
Arvelo de Rodrlguez,
Prados alel Este, caracas - venezuela.
Prados de1 Es-
Quinta
Marlela,
Juan A., Cal1e Madrld, Resldencias Puerta del tsBelda Allfa,
Norte, Caracas - Venezuela
te, Apartado 102, California
xxvl r
Cap!iles, Alfredo 1,,, 6a. Avenida Quinta Llaves,
Caracas - Venezuefa.
Altanira,
chang, Arelis,
servicio
Nacional de Fauna silvestre
Mlnisterio
de1 Ambiente y de 1os Fecursos Naturales
Renovables, Apartado 184, Mariacay, Estado Aragua - VenezuelaD'Urso ChSvez, Ana T., Avcnida Sur 8, 2da. ftapa,
Maryfeld,
Los Naranjos,
Calacas - Venezuela.
ouinta
Mdrquez Dfaz, Nornra, Servicio
Nacional de Fauna Sifvestre,
Ministerio
de1 Ambiente y de Ios Recursos Naturales
Renovables,
Aparrado 184, Maracay, Estado Aragua - venezuefa,
ojasti,
Juhani,
Apartado 47058, caracas 1041-A - vellezuefa.
Padr6n r4arin6nf Ricardo,
calle c.
I q a rE a , C a r a c a s - V e n e z u e l a .
No 110, urbanizaci6n
Rodrfguez, Alejandro, ca11e Afa$eda, Ouinta Mariefa,
del Este, Caracas - venezuela.
Rodrlguez, Mariela,
calle Alameda,
Este, caracas - venezuela.
Quinta
Mariela,
santa
Prados
Prados del
Ministerlo
Useche, Edgar, Servicio Nacional de launa Stlvestre
def Arnbiente y de los Recursos Naturafes Renovabfes: Apartado 184, Maracay, Estado l,ragua - Venezuefa.
)i}:.JI I I
l,A ADI'IINISTRACION DE !'AUNA SILIaESTRE EN VENEZUE,A
Ministerio
deI
Gonzafo Mealina Padilla
Ambiente y de los Reculsos Naturales
- VenezueLa
Catacas
Renovables
A nediados de 1os aios veinte Venezuela comienza su ttansforma
y apacible en uno de los m6s dindmicos
ci6n de pals rural
deT
mundo. Es e1 moneDto en que el petr6leo
desplaza al caf6 ale su
priner
lugar en los productos de exportaci6n.
La tasa de creci
miento poblacional
sube hasta alcanzar e1 primer lugar de An6rf
ca latina,
esta a su vez 10 ocupa en ef munalo, y en un lapso d6
cincuenta
afros nuestra pobfaci6n se ha quintuplicado.
E1 cteci
mlento vegetativo
de los venezolanos alcanza e1 nivel espectac[
1ar de a19o m6s del 36?, como consecuencia ale 1a elevaci6n
def
particularmente
nivel de vida de la poblaci6n,
en 10 que se rey a los servicios
fiere
a la alinentaci6n
Por easistenciales.
jemplo, ]a campaia antimat6rica
ha pasado a ser ejemplo en
el
mundo.
Como consecuencia de las innumelables
oportunialades de trabajo,
que alcanza cifras
eI pats recibe una corriente
itunigratoria
re
cords hacia la mitad de la d6cada de los cincuenta.
como
er5
de esperarse esta inmigraci6n
en la
ejerce profunda influencia
ecoDomla del pals.
Eace cincuenta aios Venezuela disponla
apenas de 200 km. de capavimentadas,
rreteras
ahora ocupa el primer lugar en Latinoam€
rica,
con m6s de 11.000 km. Aparte de esto los fondos provenien
tes del petr6leo
han pernitido
al estado emprender grandes obra;
de transformaci6n
del mealio flsico,
lo cual ha tralclo consigo
profundos canbios en el hebitat
de la fauna silvestreEn t6rpudi6ramos decir que fos aninales
minos generales,
selvdticos
que preceden a la actividad
han sufrido
por las deforestaciones
que las especies acu6ticas
agrlcola
nientras
se han beneficiado
por obras de riego;
existen ahora en el pals grandes
enbalses
que han carnbiado nuestra geografla.
Hace menos de cincuenta
afros, todavia no se habla establecido
para ejercer
en \renezuefa el requisito
de licencia
la cacerlat
10 6nico que se conocia a este respecto era una ley para recolecci6n de plumas de garza pronulgadas en 1917.
En 1936 aparece una primera ley de caza, que establece
requisi
tos de permiso para el aprovechamiento ale aninales
silvestres;
per.miso que es expedido, aquel entonces, por la
sus productos,
jurto
autoridad
civil
del distrito
con la cedula de registro
del arma de caza.
En 1944, fue promulgada una Dueva ley ile ca
za coD una nayor inspiraci6n
t6cnica,
aunque evialenteme;te,
16
para un pals sujeto a contlnuos canbios.
sulta Cleficiente
En la historia
mundial de 1a administraci6n
de 1a fauna. se feconocen tres etapas: la primera.
es total
apatia del estado por
el acontecer de los animales silvestrest
la segunda, es ef esta
blecimiento
Ce medidas netanrente restrictivas
de la utilizaci6;
y 1a tercera,
del recursor
es Ia promulgaci6n de instrumenEos
legales en que la fauna silvestre
es concebida como un reculso
sucePtible
de aprovechamiento mediante un inanejo adecuado. Esta
tercera
etapa comenz6 en Venezuela hace catorce aios con la pro
mu19aci6n de 1a Ley de Protecci6n
ale Fauna Silvestre
que como
veremos mes adelante,
a pesa! de su nombre, dista nucho de ser
un simple instrumeDto coD el dnico prop6sito
de proteger
1a fau
na sifvesLre.
que pudi€ra
l{ace muy pocas d6cadas fa cacerla tenla un caracter
mos calificar
de sefrorialt
la €poca de 1as grandes partidas
da
caza en los viejos
predios rurales,
pr6ximo a Io que hoy son
grandes ciudades.
El cazador de entonces estaba bien situado,
tanto en el plano cultural
como el econ6mico y social.
Hoy la
cacerla se ha popufarizado.
Como el incremento de la poblaci6n
ha trafdo
consigo glanales concentraciones
en 10s centros urbanos, existe
que durante sus tiempos
una gran nasa de habitantes
libres
huyen de la rutina
ciudadana para buscat solaz y diversi6n en e1 campo. La expresi6n mds dramdtica de esta situaci6n
acontece durante los dlas de Senana Santa cuando las autoridades se colocan virtualmente
en Fi6 de guerra para afrontar
las
consecuencias de1 desplazamiento
de millones
de personas hacia
los mAs rec6nditos
lugares de nuestra geografla.
Muchas de las
personas que gustan del aire libre
son aficionados
a 1a cacerta
y disponen de los medios para proveerse de la gr:an diversidad
de equipos que le ofrece 1a industria
y cuentan con 6ptimasvfas
de comunicaci6n y medios de transporte,
Desgrac iadamente ,
Ias
posibilidades
econ6micas de muchas de estas personas, nada trenen que ver coD su nivel
y eI resultado
cultural,
ha sido la in
troducci6n
de mAtodos y sistemas de caza totalmente
refridos co;
la 6tica de un verdadero aleporte.
I-a inmigraci6n
no ha sido el factor
determinante
deI creciniento poblacional
de Venezuela, pero en cambio estos inmigrantes
aficionados
a 1a cacerla han cambiado en muchos sentidos
fa visi6n tradicional
del venezolano con respecto a 6sta.
Hace menos de treinta
aios no tenfamos en este pais, ning(n pro
fesional
en la investigaci6n
y la administraci6n
de la fauna
silvestre,
ahora existe
Ia cartera
de bioloqla
en varias unrver
sidades ndcionales, mientras que en diversa; insLiLuciones ofi:
ciafes y privaalas se reafizan
investigaciones
sobre los m6s variados t6picos de la fauoa silvestre.
Hace apenas veinte
aios
el tema de Ia conselvaci6n
de los recursos naturales
renovables
era totalnente
desconocido para 1a opini6n pdblica;
ahora se
trata
desde los niveles
primarios
de la educaci6n hasta eventos
altamente especializados,
De ello se ocupa con frecuencia
1a
prensa, Ia radio y la televisi6n.
Se han creado organizaciones
conservacionistas
ast como premios y reconocinientos
oficiales
y privados
para esta actividad.
Pdblica Naciode que 1a Adrninistraci6n
Reconoce 1a conveniencia
a cuyos fines ha previsnal cuente con aPropiado asesolamiento,
de uD consejo Nacional de la Fauna silvestle
to la constituci6n
Asigna a1 estatlo la obliintegraalo por expertos en 1a materia.
conaluy fonentar
cientlfica
gaci6n ile realizar
la investigaci6n
racional
de la fauna, ast como apoyar y
cente a la utilizaci6n
perque sobre el recurso hicieran
estimular
1as investigaciones
_
que
Naprivadas
eI
Ejecutivo
: Establece
sonas o instituc ione s
preserval,
o
modificar
medidas
necesarias
las
cional
tomal6
Para
y ha ale tomar
ale los aninales
silvestres,
el habitat
restaurar
que Pue
contaminaciones
necesatias
1as disposiciones
Para evitar
de disla
facultad
Nacional
Otorga al Ejecutivo
dan afectarlas.
y manejo ale la fauna
poner normas obligato;ias
ale conservaci6n
agrtcola y Pecuarioen Ios pfanes de desarrollo
En
de Ia Ley de Fauna.
Este es un breve resumen alel articulado
es evideDte que en Vene cuanto a la ordenaci6n de1 territorio
a la comPensaci6n y transfor
zuela se le ha alado alta prioridad
de1 que se hablaba anter iormente . Mes de
naci6n del medio flsico
que es una proporci6n
bastan
nacionaf,
de1 tertitorio
un tercio
te significativa
a nivet mundiaL, estd sometido a un rEginen es
y seis punto
y usoi la cifra
pecial tle protecci6n
es el treinta
(
3
6
.
4
2
*
)
p
o
r
v
e
nezolano,ude1 territorio
ciento
cuarenta y dos
por
E1 veintttres
na proporci6n
no superada por muchos paises.
(23s) aproxinadamente incluye 6reas de regimen especial
cie;to
y directa
a la fauna, a1 dic
que preven una protecci6n
concleta
prohibitivas
son los palques
la
cazat
estos
de
taminar normas
y
1as reservas forestales
nacionales,
1os monunentos naturales,
El catorce punto
de faunas silvestres.
las reservas y refuqios
doce por ciento (14.12s1 de estas 6reas, ofrecen una protecci6n
de1
fa alteraci6n
por cuanto que atll
est6 prohibido
indir;cta
y las reh6bitat;
estas son las denoninadas zonas protectoras
cona la polltica,
En 10 que se lefiere
servas hidr6ulicas.
los
animales silvestr:es,
provechaniento
de
aI
cretamente dirigida
oficial
de la lista
en la olomulgaci6n
tiene su punto de partida
mealian
conceptual,
ale anirnales de caza, un documento ale cardcter
cu61es especieste el cual, e1 Estaalo venezolano ha estabfecido
para la caza'
cunple
rednen atributos
de animales silvestres
el lenguaje y 1a comunicaci5n a travEs
igualmente con facilitar
relativos
al recurso,lo
y documentos oficiales
da publicaciones
por 1a diversidad
que es importante
en un pals que se distingue
de su fauna.
de animales de caza es una n6nina de los anina
La lista
oficial
Es elPri
como "game".
que
les
en venezuela han de considerarse
legat para quienes, por ejemplo,quig
mer t definitivo
obst6culo
o cazar monos,
animales para mantenerlos en jaulas,
ran atrapar
perezas, garzas o loros en vez de venados, conejos, patos y_pel
actualmente en relaci6n
r-o que en Venezuela prevalece
aices.
se
de que toda polltica,que
es la experiencia
con la cacerla,
parcialice
hacia intereses u oPiniones de personas o gruPos de
Ademds de
presi6n,
condenado al fracaso.
estd irremediabletnente
ale tigrillos
ale un repunte de las poblaciones
esto, hay inalicios
que en pasado estuvieroD muy mal, los perros de agua
u ocelotes
gigante y el caiman de 1a costa.
que ni
o nutria
Son indicios
pensar en un aprovechamiento
remotamente permiten
de estas espe
cies, pero nos producen la satisfacci6n
de saber que 1as medidas
tomadas para su preselvaci6n
comielzan a dar sus flutos.
ED el
6mbito de la Convedci6n Sobre e1 Comercio Internacional
de Espe
cies Amenazaalas de Fauna y Flora Silvestres,
VeDezuela ocupa una posici6n suigeneris,
p;roue dispone de muchas especies anima
les que tienen denanda en el comercio internacional
pero no iny porque las divisas
terno,
resultantes
de Ia exportaci6n
serlan
irrisorias
en comparaci6n con otras fuentes.
Este hecho junto
pdblica,
con una conciencia
cada vez m5s preocupada por el destino ale 1os recursos naturales
renovables,
ha determinado crue
nuestro pats se encuentra alineado con eI grupo de los "duros"
que siendo poseedores de 1a mate
de la convenci6n,
de aquelfos,
ria prima se oponen a su agotamiento por los palses consunidores.
que puede resultar
Sin embargo, hay otra explicaci6n
nes
convincente,
que prefiere
sonros un pueblo nacionalista
disfrutar de sus riquezas puertas adentro, mientras no tengamos una
clara noci6n de su valor y de Ia forrna de como adninistrarla,
CONVENCION SOBRE EI, COMERCIO IN?ERNACIONAL DE ESPECIES
AMENAZADASDE FLORA Y FAUNA (CTTES) SU APLICACION EN
REI,AC]ON A I,OS COCODRILOS EN VENEZIIE],A
yuraima Maso de pdrez
1nq- For.
MSc.
Direcci6n
ceneral Sectorial
de Adninistracidn
de:l_ Ambiente
Ministerio
del Anibiente y ale los Recursos Naturafes Renovables
C a r ac a s
La convenci6n sobre el comercio Internacional
de Especies de Fauna y
Plora silvestre
Amenazaalas de Extinci6n
(cfTES) es un acuerilc Internicjcnal
que tiene por ob_ieto re(_rufar el comercio (exportacj6n,importacidn
y
triinsito)
de especies especificas
de arlj male; y ptentas illvestresl
asi
como ale sus respecti.\'as partes o alerivaalos y productos manufactulados.
'
gue se encuentran en vias ale extinci6n
o que son raras en ef mundo.
La explotacidn
excesiva del munalo animal y veqetal por el comercro
internacional,
ha sialo alenunci?.da muclas veces.
SineJr;baroo, este
comercio replesenta
solo uno de los factores
responsables de la
desaparici6b
ale ciertas
especies,
existen otros tales como,
-
La destruccidn
irreflexiva
animales y vegetales por
-
La sobrieexplotaci6n
-
Caceria iteqal-
-
La alteraci6n
cultivabl es,
-
y otras
tambi6n
alet espacio
eI hombre.
de fos
vital
de numerosos
bosques-
de zonas pantanosas
para
ta creaci6n
niodificaciones
ea 1os procesos natrrrales,
al enpobrecimiento
de la natrrraleza-
ate zonas
contribuyen
Sin embargo, proteger
a 1as especies a lergo plazo linicamente alesate e1
punto de vista del comercio iriternacional
no ser6 suficienl.e
como para
inpedir
la exterminaciin
de alguna
de ellas,
por 10 tanto no hay que
ljmltarse
a dicla Convenci6n, sino que es necesario actuar a travds- ae
otras Convenciones Internaci cnales , Educaci6n Conservaci oni sta, cuarderia
Ambiental,
recuperaci6n
ale habitats,
etc.
La necesjded de alguna forna de acuerdo pFra reqular
eI comercio y, por
poner obstaculos
consiquieite,
al comercio iteoal,
se discuti6
en la
ccnferencia
sobre el Ambiente Humano de Estoco.Lrqo de 1972.
Decidi6ndose
,,Se reco_
en dicha Conferencia
sobre 1a Resoluci6n Ne 99 (3) oue dice:
mienda conovcar una conferencia
plenipotenciaria
Io mds pronto posibl-e,
bajo los auspicios
gubernamentales o i nterqubernamenta les pertinentes,
con eI fin de redactar
y aprobar un convenio sobre la expoitaci6n,
y tr.insito
importaci6n
ale alqunas especies animafes y plintas
silvestres".
de washinGcn
ale 1os Eslados Unialos convoc6 a la conferencia
El cobierrro
comercio
lFternacional
sobre
el
y
ta
convencj-6n
surqi6
de alli
de 19?3,
(cITEs).
silveEtre
de especies amenazaalas de fauna y flora
Actua}nente
convenci6n.
existen
8? paises
gue son parte
o signatorlos
ale 1a citada
sostenidas
entre e1 Gobi-erno de Venezuela
A raiz de las conversaciones
de
y Ia Secretaria
de ta convenci6n sobre el comercio rnternacional
se
hizo
y
venezuela
llora
silvestres.
de
Fauna
Especies amenazadas
de1 citado convenio el 3 ale nayo de 1976 nediante la l,ey
oaitlcioe
de EstrEcies
lnternaclonal
sobre e1 comercio
de f. convenci6n
iprolatbria
el 10
entr6
en
vigor
y
Ia
cual
Flora Silvestres,
Airenazadas ale Fauna
publicatlo
eD
ca,
por
fa
Repibli
congreso
de
Decreto
alel
de iunio de 19?5
de ]a Reprjbr ica de venezuela ba-io e1 Ne Extraoralinario
la baceta Ofjcial
alel Anbiente y ale los Recursos Naturales
E] Mi.nisterio
1881 del 10-06-76.
de Adninistraci6n
General sectorial
de
la
Direcci6n
Renovab-r-es, a travds
de Ie convenci6n
alel tunbiente es quien mane-ia y coordina la aplicaci6n
de la citada Ley en nuestro pais y como tal tiene una Autorialaal Adminisante esta convenci5n'
y dos (r) Autoridades
cientificas
trativa
CITES Venezolana regula eI
La Ley Aprobatoria
de hils ale 1.000 especies de animales
nacional
en tres ap6ndices.
incluidas
conercio nacional e intery plantas silvestres
que
ate extlncidn
especies en peliqro
En eI Ap6ndices I. estiin incluidas
especimenes
comercio
de
El
son o p-uealen ser afectadas por el comercioa
estricta
de estis especies deberi estar su-ieto a una regiamentaci6n
y se autorizare
peljEro
adn naior su supervivencia
fin ale no pi"".."
tales como: donaci6n o
excepcionales,
circunstincias
solamente iajo
registra'las'
cientificas
o instjtuciones
;ntre
cientificos
intercambio
toilas las especies que,si bien en la
ED el apdnalice rr, estiin incluidas
no se encuentran necesariamente en pelielro de extinci6nactualidad
a menos que e1 comelcic en especirnenes
a esa situaci6n
ooar€n ffeqar
_de
a fin de
esLricta
a una reglamentacidn
sujeto
dichas especies estd
incompati.ble con su supervivencia.
evitar
utjli2aci6n
de las
todas 1as especies que cualduiera
se inclul'en
En el Apdndice III,
de su
alentro
reqlamentaci6n
a
que
hayan
sometidas
se
Partes ;lanifiestan
y, que
pais con et obieto de prevenir
su explotaci6n
o restringir
de su c'c'IErcio'
ta c-ooperacidn de los otros pai.tes en el control
iequieren
La cITEs v su Ar,ficacidn
En venezuela
existen
en Relaci6n
cinco
(5) clases
a los
cocodrilos
en Venezuele
de cocodrilos.
como ha si'lo reportado por
catniin del otiinoco y caini5n de fa costa:
(Erocodvlt's
caimiin
del orinoco
en Venezueta e1
otros conferencistas,
(
c
r
o
c
o
d
v
l
u
s
d
cusan bajos
]
a
c
o
s
t
a
c
i
,
i
m
i
i
n
d
e
SglLs),
internedius)
v el
-nf"E1EE-p"Efeiionales,
def .Anbiente
lo cual motiv6 que eI Mi.nisterio
y de los Recursos Naturales Renovables publi cara 1a Resohrci6n Ne 95
ael 28 de novier'brie ale 1979, declarando le veda por tiempo indefjnido
los-crocoalilidos,
incluyendo
para una serie ale especies faunisticas
protecci6n
tegal a 1as
en parte a brindar
Lon 1o cual 5e contribrrye
^i
| >Arc
a.ha^i
ae
Es inportante
sefralar. que 106 bajos indices poblactonales
Orinoco y de fa costa,
fueron reportados
por varios paises
CITXS incluyendo Venezuela, motivo 6ste por e1 cual se les
el Ap6ndj.ce T de 1a citada Convenci6n.
de1 caim{n del
partes ale la
incluy6
en
Caimabes Enanos:
Con relaci6n
a los caimanes Enanos (pglegsgg!]1q
triomatus
y E. palaebrosus)
existentes
en venezuela,
conocemos que son especies due
acusan bajos indices pob.l.acionales y consecuenteftente tambi4h incl idos
en la Resoh,ci6b MARNRNe 95 antes seialada,
brindand6seles
de esta manera
protecci6n
leqa1 en el sentiilo de que, solo se permite su captura con
fines de investl.gaciones
cientlficas
o bajo ptanes de nanejo.
Es oportuno sefiafar que los Caimanes Enanos esten incluialos
en el Apdndice
fT de 1a CITES, lc) cual conlfeva
a una nayor protecci6n
desale ef punto ile
vista
del comercio internacionaf.
Adn cuantlo se sabe que los niveles poblacionales
CIe estas especies han
tenido cierta
recuperaci6n
en Vehezuela.
El Ministerio
del Arnbiente y
de los Recursos Naturales Renovables mantiene su veda, Drimero con considerar que alichos niveles
no son suficientes
como Dara s-usDenaler fa vealat
segundo por existir
factores (cacerja ilegat,
a]t;raci6n
ael habitat,poca
guarderia
que no ayudan a la recupeiacidn
ambiental)
tle atichas especi;s).
Babas:
Ias investi-oaciones
prelimihares
y las inspecciones
t6cnicas
de
por nuestros tdcnicos
carnpo realizadas
en cuahto a la especie faunistica
Baba (gef4g!] crocodi]us),
han permiti.do comprobar la abundancia relativa
ale 1e referida
especie, nrotivanalo asi gue el Mjnisterio
del Ambiente y
de los Recursos Natlrrales
Renovables desarrolle
un prograna
de:,,Apro\,€chaniento Comercial Experimental
de la menclonaala especie,,.
En virttlal de que la Baba se encuentra en el Apdndice If ale le CITES,nuestro
pais comunic6 a la Secretaria
de la mencionada Convenci6n de que se estd
aprovechando en fcrnra experimental
1a citada especie.
La pofitica
del Mjnisterio
CIel Anbiente y de los Recursos Naturales
Renovables, dependerii en e1 futuro de c6no se comporten las poblaciones
ale Baba, despu6s del aprovechamiento experimental
a1 cual se encuentran
sonetialcs actrrahnente En base a esta evaluaci6n
Ap6nalices I - 11 6I1I.
se ubicarii
la
citada
especie
dentro
de los
EL ESTADO ACTUAL Y LAS TENDENCIAS DE ]-A INVESTIGACION
BIOI-OGIC.A SOBRE LOS CROCODILTDOS EN VENEZUELA
Carlos
Rivero
Bfanco
v 'Andria
Bianca D
CRB Ecol6gos Consuftores, C.!
.aracas luPU-;
Apartado 80\ JI
Venezuela
SUWARY
partaining
fiterature
Afl available
biology
to Venezuelan crocodilian
The
and classified.
lras levised
in
the ?8 references
information
to
authors
revised a]lowed the
)-a:<
!ar+dr
anal those in need of further
indlcate
as a lneans to
research areas.
s r L r dj e d
work,
future
lntroducci6n
La investigaci6n
sobre la bioloqia
que habitan en Venezuela
cooodrilos
a muchos cientificos.
Algunos han
recopilacion
ale datos acerca de la
mientras que otros han enfocado su
y tdcnicas
aprovechamiento racional
niveles poblacionales
o control
de
ale las diversas especies de
ha sido un tema que la interesado
orientaalo sus estudios lacia
la
historia
natural
de las especies,
atenci6n hacia e1 estudio alel
de nanejo de animales con altos
especies en peligro
de extinci5n.
Los cocoalrilos venezolanos son:e1 caimiin de la costa, crocoalvlus
acutus;e1
Caiman del Orinoco, Crocodvlus f!!g_E4qdi!qr
la Baba,Cainran
y eI Babo lbridlalero,
crocodilus,
e1 Babo Negro, Paleosuchus trisonatus
Paleosuclus palpebrosus.
El Caimiin alel Orinoco era rnuy abuhdante en
1os rios caudalosos de Venezuela hasta el punto que e1 misno flumbolalt
(40) escribi6
en su Iibro
viaje a las Regiones Equinocci ales:. . . En las
rrvense Ios cocodrilos,
playas,
a nrenualo en nrimero de 8 a 10, tendidos
sobre Ia arena-.- Se han multiplicado
de tal manera estos reptifes
que a toalo 1o largo del rio hemos tenialo a fa vista casi
honstruosos,
(Tono III,
a caala instante,
cinco o seis de el1o".
Cap. XVIII, pp.36).
Sin embargo, junto a} caimiin ale Ia Costa, eI caimiin del orinoco fue
exterminado casi en su totafidaal
alebido al precio que por su piel
pagaban los comerciantes.
Hoy en dia estas dos especies se consideran
y las pocas poblaciones
en peligr:o de extinci6n
que a{n habitan e1
teftitorio
est6n sujetas a veda de caza.
por el contrario,
La Baba es de menor tamaffo y su plel,
no alespertaba
interds
en los comerciantes.
Sin embarqo, al ir alesapareciendo los
caimanes, la atenci6n hacia la misma aument6.
De esta forma, otra de
las especies cuyas poblaciones,
segin uumboldt, eran extrenadamente
numerosas, empez6 a alisminuir
hasta alcanzar niveles muy bajosEn
los iltimos
aios, fa Baba ha alcanzado,
aparentemente,
sus antiguos
poblaciones
niveles
en algunos sectores de los Ltanos de Venezuela.
Ultimanente,
se han intensificado
los estudios
acerca de la biologia
de esta especie ya que se piensa en la posibilidad
de aprovechamiento
racional
de 1a nisma, 10 que requiere
entonces de un conocimiento
amplio
sobre ]a ecoloqia
de este animal.
Los estudios
acerca de las alos
especies del genero Crocodvlus se han visto
llmitaalos por Ia dificultad
y disposici6n
ale localizaci6n
de ]os individuosSobre Paleosuclus se
tiene realmente muy poca informacionEn este reporte se preterde recopi.lar las referencias bibliogrificas
existentes,
asi como el naterial
en preparaci6n/
acerca de fa biotog_ia
ale estas especies con el fin de proporcionar
una idea acerca del nivel
y del enfoque que deberian tomar 1as investide informaci6n
disponible
que se incluirdn
Es importante
indicar
en este estudio 1os trabajos
de
Roberto Donoso Barros y Federico
Medefl, como 1as referencias
mis i.rFortantes
y Taxonomia de estas especies y ef trabajo
acerca ile Distribuci6n
de
Carmen Julia Medina como aporte sobre Paleontologia.
No quisimos ahondar
(SISTEMATICA) ya que nuestro interds
mes en ese t6pico
se centra en los
trabajos
de Ecologia y Manejo.
Las personas, que por e1 contrario,
tengan
interds
pueden renritirse
acerca de la SISTEMATICA de estas especies,
a
que incluyen
las referencias
bibfioqreficas
esos trabajos.
Metotlolooia
bibliogrdficas
estuvieron
disponlbles
i,a mayor parte de las referencias
pala la consulta de los autores.
En ef caso ale los articulos
en prepaque
y
prensa,
brindaron
una
idea
en
se
dispuso
ile
res(menes
raci6n
globa] tle I trabajo,
fue caracterizaalo
ale acuerdo al siquiente
E1 contenido
ale caala referencia
b) Relaciones
con
a) Hiibitat;
esquerna: 1.- ECOLoGIA, alonde incluimos:
d) Comportamiento social;
c) comportamiendo inalividualr
otras especiesr
g) Dinamica de
e) Ambito domdstico (Home range) ; f) Reproducci6nr
poblaci6n; h) crecimiento y clases de edad; i) DieLa; J) EnergdLica
lndividualt
k) Enfermedades y pariisitos r l) Deprealadores y Mortalidad;
y Anatonia.
Taxonomia,
2.SISTEMATICA, donde incluimos:
m) Fisioloqia
y Paleontologia3.TECNICAS DE INVESTIGACION. donde
Distribuci6n
incluimos:
a) T6cnicas de tranpeor b) T6cnicas de marcajer c) Tdcnicas
4-- ADMINISTRACION
de estudio.
de radi ote lemetri a r d) Otras t6cnicas
5.- ASPECTOSDIVULGATMS.
RACIONAL: a) Manelor b) Aspectos economicos b) creencias y leyendas r y 6-- SUGERENCIASDE ESTUDTo:
a) Divufgaci6n;
p
r
e
s
e
n
t
a
n proposiciones de invesLigaci6ndonde se
fue resumido en una
El contenialo de cada uno de las 78 pubficaciones
que se adjunta aI final
Para la estructuraci6n
de este trabajo.
hatrlz
por
en oralen alfabetico
de dicha natriz,
se ordenaron las referencias
autor y se numelaron s ecuenci alnente . Los numeros indicaalos en el eje
En ciertas
horizontal
de la matriz corresponden a fas referenciasen el texto con e1 fin de indicar
se cita bibliografia
oportunidades
que incluyen
La
algrin topico en particularalgunas publicaciones
numeral encerrado en un par;itesis.
llamaala se hace con e1 corresponaliente
fos numerales van separatlos por una coma y
si son varias
las citas,
encerraalos tambi6n en un pardntesis.
bibliogriificas
se aaljunta tarnbidn un listaalo completo ale las referencias
ale referencias
el totaf
se presenta qreficamente
A1 finaf
cons\rltadas.
pudiendo asi proporcionar
una ialea
que tratan
catla tdpico en particufar,
que
De
igual
manera
ilel
se
disponede
informaci6n
acerca del nivel
que muestra la distribuci6n
en e1 tiempo de los
se presenta un gr6fico
en Venezuefa.
estualios que se han realizado
Resultados
1 .
ECOLOGIA:
Encontramos Babas en el rio unare. Tuy
Hebitat (36 referencias):
a.y en el Lago ale valenciar
en rios,
cafios Y laqunas ale los llanos de
venezuela rc,42), en los de Guayana (31, 34, 35) y en Ia cuenca de1
en los norichales
habita
El g6nero Pilgg€llqlun
l,ago de Maracaiboy
del sur
con
mucha
vegetaci6n
bosques
en
zonas
en
caios
de
orientales,
se
y Amazonas) (26, '7e).
AI cain:in del orinoco,
ale venezuefa (polivar
le encuentra en zonas boscosas de rios Y cafros de la cuenca alel orinoco,
mientras que el caimiin de la costa babita en rios y aguas salobres del
que
Existen varios articulos
Dorte del pais excepto en el orinoco.
describen, entre otras cosas, el hiibitat de estas dos especies 19'25'43).
10
b - Relaciones con otras especies (19 rererencias):
Como todos los
animales,
Ios cocoalrilos presentan un comportamiento intere speci fi co.
Las relaciones
deprealador-presa,
ataque y defensa contra enemigos
reales y potenciales
son algunos ale los muchos contactos que tienen
los cocodrilos
con fas dem;is especies animales.
varios
trabajos
sobre la historia
natural
tle fos cocodrilos
tratan
estos toplcos
129, 4A, 47, 49, 64) c - Comportaniento
TnClividual (22 refeiencias):
E1 conDortarniento
individual
de la Baba ha sido un t6pico bastante estudiado.
Se han
sefialaalo, entre muchas otras,
pautas ale conducta referentes
a aseofaniento,
sefrales sonoras, moviriientos migratorlos,
actitudes
de caza y
construcci6n
de nidos (6, 35, 45, ?5, 75).
Medem (4?), reporta afqn1cs
datos de comportamiento para las ilemiis especies de cocodriios.
(22 referencias):
d - cornportamiento social
Alqunos estudios
han
proporcionado
datos, especi fi camente , acerca dei comportaniento
socj_al
de fa Baba.
Se ha reportado
conducta de cortejo
y conbates de machos
por una hembra alurante Ia dpoca reproaluctiva
(34, 35, 41, 76). TA$i6n
se ha determinaalo la existencia
ale una jerarquizaci6n
de ealades doncle
1os animales adultos disgregan a los l6venes obligiindoles
a abandonar
(5, 76).
su territorio
Romero (71) senata comportamiento de cuido
parental
muy marcado para esta especie.
Se han estudiado variantes
condiciones
ale cautiverio
del orinoco (52).
en e1 comportamiento individual
y sociaf eh
tanto para 1a Baba (?0), como para Caiman
e - Ambito domdstico (Home Range) (11 referencias):En
ninguno ale tas
publicaciones
revisadas se alefine un limite
de tanaffo para ef home
rango de estas especies.
Siendo animafes tan alependientes ile las cobdipara su subsistencia,
ciones climSticas
deben de tener un iifirito
ddrdstico
bastante amplio alurante
todo el aio.
que deben realizar
Las migraciones
en busca de cuerpos de agua en la estaci6n
de verano, es una prueba de
el1o.
Sin embargo, si se ha hablaalo de 1a existencia
ale una teffitorialidad
definida
en 1a dpoca reproductiva
ya que muchas hembras vuetven
a construir
sus nidos en los nisnos lugares de 1os aios anteriores(6-19).
(30 referencias):
f Reproduccidn
Este es un tema rnuy estualiaito en 1a
Baba (6, 19. 24, 34, 35,69,72,
16).
Tanto en Crocodyfus como en
Paleosuchus no se tiene muchos co:roclmiento af respEcE6.
Bf trabajo
de
(52) informa acerca ale la reproduccidn
Morillo
ate Crocodvlus internedtus
en cautlverio
y el trabajo
de Torriani
{78) brevemeilte esboza posibiti_
dades de recria
ale paleosuchusEste t6pico es de gran importancia,
ya
que el futuro
de estas especies
depehde mucho del 6xito
ate 1a reDtoahrcciin
y sobrevivencia
ante la alepredaci6nConsideramcs que aunque s; ha
trabajado
bastante en este campo alln falta
informaci6n
detallada
de
para proyectos de cria.
valcr priictico
g - Dinii$ica de poblaci6n
(1? referencias):
Siendo la Baba una especie
sujeta a veda desde lace aproximadamente 10 affos puede pensarse que deben
poblaciones
de existir
que }]an alcanzado un equilibrio
y e1 nimero de
que habitar, hoy en dia el territorio
indi'riduos
1o confirma
16, 45,75,76).
La eriplotaci6n
de caimanes fue de tat magnitud que sus poblaciones
no han
11
podiCo recuperarse
todavia por 10 que se pretende la implementaci6n
de
pfanes de manejo.
Humbctdt (40) da una idea del status de tos clccodrito€
venezolanos af prlncipio
del siglo pasado. Godshalk (25, 27) , Maness
143, 44) y Rivero alanco (66) proporcionan
informaci6n
acerca del estaalo
ale las poblaciones
de los caimanes hace algunos afros.
Los nivetes
poblacionales
de PaleosuchUi,
tomando en cuenta que no han sido especies
explotadas
conerciafmente, deL\enale r.antenerse estables,
siendo sin
embargo sus poblaciones
muy reducidas en nimero (26) .
h y Clases de edad (29 referencias):
Crecimiento
lio se conoce fa
longevidad exacta de estos animales.
Los estudios
de creclmrenEo en
vida libre
de la Baba han aleterninado que alcanza su tameffo reproductivo
(1, 11,
3 mts.) entre los 6 y 8 affos ate viala, dependienatoetlo de Ia
dlsponibilidad
(6, 35, 69, ?6).
de alimento,
cono es frecuente en los
reptiles,
su crecimiento
es miis riipido si disponen de alimento abundante,
como suele sucealer en condiciones
(69) . para et cainiin
ate cautiverio
del orinoco se tienen datos de crecimiento
(10) - Medem (4?)
en cautividad
proporciona
informaci6n
al respecto para Paleosuchus y Crocodylus en
vida libre i Dieta (29 referencias):
t,os cocodritos
son animates carnivoros
y
varian su dieta desde insectos y otros invertebrados
(alimento de las
crias) , hasta nanjferos pasando por preces, canorejos y gasi e!opodos
(alimento de adultos)
(52) y Blolrm (10) nos proporcionan
Morirlo
infonrBcidn
acerca
de
1a
dieta
de1
Crocodylus
intermedius
en cautiverioNo se han
'necho
estudios
detar 1ad o!-G n'-ier.^ z ueTa soore esre r6pico parE . rocoalvlrs
para los primeros,
y Paleosuchus en vida 1ibre.
Ftumboldt (40) reporta
que en su dieta inclui€n chiguires
y seres humanos. La rrjforndcron
acerca
ale la afimentaci6n de Ia Baba es relativanente
(6,I'1 ,Le.34,35,
a
b
u
n
d
a
n
t
e
'7
4 , ' t 5 , ' 76 J j (6 referencias):
Energetica individual
Sobre la Baba se tienen
datos de1 valor caf6rico
de su biomasa, asi como de la diniinica
enerodtica
de poblaciones de los m6dulos de Mantecat, Estado Apure (61,61,64).
(73), proporciona datos sobre e1 metabclismo de esle animal. Sin
seijas
embarqo def resto de 1as especies no se tienen vafores aI respecto.
(? referencias):
k Enfernedades y pardsatos
Ayarzaguena (G) describe
en su trabajo
una enferemedad para las Babas que se manifiesta
por un
adelgazamiento excesivo del animal.
Se reduce ta musculatura hasta
quedar rinicanente huesos y piel.
Las causas de fa misma no han sido
deterninadas.
ceneralnente
se manifiesta
en animales aduttos y pueate
ser 1a causa principal
de muerte "natural,'de
los mismos. Este es el
unico dato ale enfermedad que cnococemos.
Para las demds especies no se
conoce nada parecidoMedem (47) y Staton (75), entre otros, determinan
]a presencia de pardsitos rnterros y extarnos en la Baba.
1 (15 referencias)
Depredadores y mortalidad
: La tasa de depredaci6n
ale los animales adultos es menor que la de los individuos
j6venes.
Ayarzaguena (6) reporta alatos de depredaci6n hasta individuos
ate t mt.
de longitud
total.
Los animaies entre los 25 y 50 cms- de lonqitud
puealen ser depredados por aves de rapifia,
total
(69, '76).
gdrzas, zorros,
La nayor causa de nrortalialaal natura]
en estas especies es ta alepreatacidn
de huevos la cual puede producir hasta el 80i de pdrdidas (6,69,?5)siendo
e1 Mato (Tupinambis teouixin)
el principal
causante.
La caceria tambidn
es una de las causas de nrortalidad
de inalividuos
aduttos.
No se han
obtenido muchos datos ace!_ca ale mortalidad
naturat
de 1as otras esDecies
de cocodrilos,
1:
m - Fislologia,
Anatomia (33 referencias):
Se han realizaalo aliferentes
estudios
acerca de la anatomia ale la Baba,y en menor grado de las demiis
especies de cocodrilos
debido a la dificultad
de su captura.
Se tiene
y funcionamiento
infornaci6n
acerca de la forma, tamafio, estructura
de1
cuerpo (5,41,60,?5,76) - Ultimanente se han venido realizando estudios
lehatol6gicos
de la Baba (3, 4, 5, 28, 32, 33, 36, 55, 56, 57, 58).
2.-
SISTEMATICA Y DISTRIBUCION (15 referencias)
El trabajo
ale Staton (77) proporciona
datos de blometria
de las aliferentes especies de cocodrifos
entre los que se encuentran los venezolanqs.
E1 tiabajo
de Meden (47) proporciona
informaci6B
taxon6mica asi cono
datos acerca ale la distribuci6n
de fas diversas
especies ya sea a nivel
nacio$a1 como continental.
Los trabajos
ile Donoso Barros ofrecen
informaci6n completa acerca de este tltino
t6pico (20, 2I, 22J.
En eI
iirea ale Paleontologia,
carrnen Julia
Medina (48) reporta
sobre I\€lanosuchus
fisheri 3.-
TECNICAS DE IN\,€STIGACTON
a - Tdcnicas ale trampeo (4 referenci as ) : Las tdcnicas
de tranrpeo utilizadas comunmente para capturar
cocodrilos
son los arpones, los lazos,
las
redes y las armas de fuego (6, '75,'16).
j6venes suefen
b T6cnicas de marcaje (g referencias):
Los indivialuos
rnarcarse con anillos
numerados que se 1es fijan
en la membrana interdig"ital
plastificadas
con etiquetas
en las
{6) y nuneradas que se les fijan
crestas caudales y en algunos casos se realizan
combinaciones ale cortes
de las crestas de la cola (70).
Todas estas t6cnicas
son ale gran
para estudios
que requieran
utilidad
ale captura y recaptura(1 referencia):
c Tdcnicas de radiotelenetlia
Staton y Dixon (compers.)
realizaron
un estualio de ratiotelemetria
con Babas Cel Hato Masaguaral
en 1975.
Los resultaalos no han sido publicados.
d
Otras tdcnicas de estudio (? referencras):
En este t6pico se
(observaciones
iocluyen
mdtodos ale estudio
directas, sequimiento de rastro,
que no se contemplan en tos t6picos mencionados
censos nocturnos,
etc.)
pero que sin embargo son ritifes
para la recopitaci6n
anteriormente
de
que permite
infornaci6n.
Gorzula (37) propone una t6cnica
fotogriifica
estimar e1 tamaflo de Ios cocodrilos.
Fotoqrafiando
tnicanente
la cabeza
(que es ]a parte .lel cuerpo que emerge del agua) y
de1 cocodrilo
conoclendo 1a relacion
lonqitud
de la cabeza entre longitual deI cuerpo
(SVL) se puede calcular
aproximadamente eI tamafio total
de1 cuerpo del
animal.
4.-
ADMINISTRACIONRACIONAL
(29 referencias):
a Manejo y Conservaci6n
se han realizado
aliversos
experimentos sobre 1a incubaci6n y cria de caimanes y Babas, obtenidndose
diversos
resultados
tanto en porcentaje
de nacimientos
como en (secxnieuto
en cautiverio
En los fltimos affos se han venido
110,52, 67,70,72).
haciendo muchos estudios
acerca deI nanejo y conservaci6n
de las
(I2, L3, 19 , 27 , 29 , 46 , 59 , 66) .
diferentes
especies de cocodrilos
b Aspectos econ6micos (14 referencias):
Hasta el nomento, sdlo Ia
pief de fa Baba es un producto comerciableHoy en dia se estd pensando
en e1 aprovechamiento integral
de esta especre (carne, p.ieI, buesos)
ya sea para uso industrial
o consumo humano (7, 19, 38, 541 5-_
ASPECTOS DIVULGATIVOS
(10 referencias):
a Divulgaci6n
se han publicado
algunos articutos
y revistas,
en los peri6dicos
cuyo objetivo
es e1 de dar a conocer al
priblico en general 10 que se estii intentando
hacer con la cria en
y la situaci6n
cautiverio
de las diversas especies de cocodrilos
ale las
(1 , 2, 15, 16, 49, 65, 681.
especies en extincion
b Creencias y Leyendas (2 referencias)
: Humbolalt (40) nos proporciona
y
un sin fin de an6cdotas acerca de 1os
cocodlilos
las
creencias
que se tenia acerca de su fiereza.
superticiosas
Segdn los babitantes
de 1as zonas cercanas a rios y caffos, fos caimanes, y en menor grado fas
y hasta con
Babas, eran temidos como animafes extremadamente peliqrosos
instintos
asesinos que unicamente esperaba la oportunialad ale ataca! a
su presa por el sifi\ple gusto de exteminarla.
Hoy en dia no se tienen
que en Ia 6poca
muchos datos aI respecto,
sin enrbargo no hay que olvidar
poblaclones
de los viajes
de Humboldt,las
de cainanes eran nunerosas
1o que podria aurnentar la competencia por e1 alimento y la irritabilialaal
de los individuos.
6.-
S U G E R E N C I ADSE E S T U D I O ( 1 8 r e f e r e n c i a s ) :
presentados se sugieren nuevas lineas de investiEn todos los trabajos
gaci6n necesarias
para completar conocinientos
acerca de fas especies
ale cocodrilos
de nuestro paisAdemiis, Ios trabajos
de Hamilton {39)
(50) suqieren de nanera muy detallada
y de Mondolfi
t6picos de investigaci6n referidos
especialmente
a Ecologia y Manejo de pobtacrones en
y en cautiverio,
vlda libre
muchos de los cuales ya se han realizaalo
hoy en dia.
conclusiones
Todos los t6picos
inctuidos
en este trabajo
ban sido estudiados
coh miis
que de las demis especies se tiene
o menos aletalle en la Baba,mientras
debido, princlpalmente,
a la dificultad
escasa informacion
de la
DeI qdnero Crocodylus se esten haciendo
locatizaci6n
de los individuos.
y en vida libre.
actualmente investigaciones
con animales en cautiverio
El g6nero Paleosuchus es el menos estudiado.
De las enfermealades y, en general,
de Ias causas de mortalidad
natural
de estas especies no se dlspone de muchos informacidn.
Las tdcnicas
de
investiqacion
son muy parecialas en todas las referencias
consultadas,
pero de raatiotelemetria
para
no se tiene realmente ninguna infornacidn
las especies venezolanas.
El manejo y los aspectos econ6micos han sido alos de los t6picos miis
recientes
en los estualios de Babas mientras que de 1as demiis especies se
ya que, o son especies
ha tratado principafmente
ei tema de conservaci6n,
(g6nero Crocodvlus)
en extinci6n
o sus pobtaciones
son suficientemente
;il:";:
i-+,!,i,rre""..
' como para que ameriten la implementaci6n
de este
Acerca de 1a distribuci6n
en e1 tienpo de 1os estudios que se han realizado
en Venezuela (fiq.
1) podemos concfuir
que es a partir
ale Ia ddcada de
los ?0 cuando se conienzan
realmente
las investigaciones
con las dliferentes
especies de cocodrilos
venezolanos.
Se observa una clara tendencia a
intensificar
estos estudios
en los iltimos
aios.
Blblioqrafia
l-
Anonimo.
1970.
Veda total
ale ta baba y caimanes por periodos
indefiniAos.
publicado
Articulo
en E1 Nacional.
Martes
11 ale Agosto de 19?0.
2.
An6nimo.
1973.
Comercializaci6n
de 1a babaArticulo
en Et Universal,
Jueves 5 de Julio
de 1973-
3.
Arocba Piiango, C.L., y S. Gorzula.
1,9'75. A naturally-ocurring
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in the blood-cfotting
meclanism of qaiman
crocodilus.
Herpetologica 31 (4): 419-420-
4.
Arocha Piiango, c.L-, y S. corzueta.
18?6- Hemostasis en ef
CailgB! crocoalilus.
CONICIT.
TT Sehinario
sobre Chiguires
(Hvdrochoerus hidrochaeris)
y Babas {caiman crocodilus)
programa y resrimenes.
Maracay, 1-4 Dic. 1976.
publicado
!rrrdlsv/ !.!.,
J. Gorzula y A. Ojeda.
1982. The blood
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Mofecular Physiology.
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Ayarzaguena, Jose.
1980.
Ecologia del Caiman de Anteojos o Baba
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(en
Doctoral,
Universidad
Compultense, Madrid, Espafia.
Prensa Dorfana Act. Vert-)
21 pp.
?.
Belda,
8-
1976- fnforme sobre fa Caceria Comercial del
Seiedico, h. alel C.
(Hydrochoerus hidrochaeris)
chiguire
y cle ]a Baba (caiman
crocodilus)
en VenezrrelaII Seminario sobre Chiguires
y BabasMaracay 1-4 Dic. 1976.
19'76. proqramas y
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1948.
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Blohn,
AntonioEstudio de ta utilizaci6n
{En preparaci6n).
de
los deseclos ale la explotaci6$
de la Baba (Caiman cocoditos)
proyecto de
como recurso alimenticio
para su crianza.
Tesis, drea ale Biotecnologia.
Divisi6n de Ciencias
Biol6gicas.
Universidaal Sim6n Botivar.
Toniis1973.
Conveniencia de criar
crocodilidos
en Venezuela
con fines econ6nicos y para prevenir
Simposic
su extinci6n.
Internacional
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Lacustre Amaz6nica25 Nov. 1 Dic.
lC73, Manao, AnBzqlas,
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1974.
llevadas
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9!.9e.9d!LUg)
de 1973 y Agcsto de 1974.
en venezuela entre Septienbre
(rlvdrochoerus hidrochaerls)
seminario sobre eI chiguire
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y Ia Babilla
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(CrocoalYfus
Tomes1982.
Husbandry of orinoco crocoaliles
Ponencia presentada en eI 5thintermedius)
in Venezuela.
Group the
worklng Meeting of tbe crocodile
specialist
snc.ias
srrrviv-l
cdnnnission of the International
Union for
conservation
of Nature and Natural Resources 1.2-16 August
Florida.
1980. Florida State Museum, GainesvilIe,
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Bfohn,
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1982.
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Specialist
Group of the Species Survivaf
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comercial.
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R.E1982.
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anal dist.ribution
of paleosuchus
in Venezuela.
Ponencia presentada en sth- Working
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Union for
Conservation
of Nature and Natural Resources 12-16 August
1980. Florida State Museum. Gainesville.
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Godshalk,
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interrnedius
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Comnission of the lnternational
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conserving
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Ed. Div. !,auna DRNR t4AC 22 DD.
19
Ramirez, I'.,f.. C. Safazar, s. corzufa y c.I. Arocha piffango.
1974.
Valores henatol6gicos
ale reptiles
en su habitat
natural.
Ponencia presentada en la VIII Jornada Nacional de Hematologia y Transfusi6n.
Hospital
Veterinario
ale I,os Andes 20-24 de Novienbre 1974.
Ramirez, F., C.1,. Arocia
Rond6n.
1975.
Acta cientifica
Piiango, S. corzula, C. Salazar y D.
(Baba).
Hematologla de1 caiman crocodilus
venezolana- 26 (1) 27-2A.
57-
Ramirez, F., C.L. Arocha Pifiango, S. corzula y N. Montiel.
19?6.
Estudio Hematol6gico del Caiinan crocodilusconicit.
II
(tii'Crochoerus hidrochaeris)
y
Seminario sobre Chiquixes
Babas (Caiman crocoalilus).
Maracay/ 1-4 Dic- 19?5Ptograma y resumenes.
58.
Ramirez, F., C-L. Arocba Pifiango, N. Montiel y S. corzula. 1978Elementos figurados,
hemoglobina y proteinas
de Ia
(Linneaus).
sangre er el l-Bj_Bg-acrocodilus Acta
Ciehtifica
Venezolana. 29z 26a-2'73.
59.
y S. Gorzu]a.
Ramirez,Y-, C-C- CastiIlo
19??,
Proyecto venezolano sobre cocodrilos
project) - Herp. Review- 8 (4): 130.
60-
Ramos S. y C- Vilfarroe].
1975. Un modelo linea1 para 1a estimaci6n de la relaci6n
talla-peso
en babas (caiman
pobfacidn
crocodiluE)
de 1a
locafizada
en e1 m6du1o
experimental
de MantecafVenezolana.
Acta Cientifica
26 l1) . 27.
Conservation.
(venezuelan crocodile
Ramos, S. y E- Pereyra.
1975. Valores cal6ricos de la biomasa
de la baba (.air.an crococlilus) - Acta ^ientifica
Venezolana 26 (7)'- 27-
62-
Ramos Oropeza, Santiago.
1975Evaluaci6n calorim6trica
a nivel
(Linneaus 1758) de la
individual
en Caiman qrocodilus
poblaci6n
localizada
en e1 m6du1o experimental
de
vFrrF.al
.
Fcrido
ab,lr^
---q-{^
crado, Escuela de Bioloqia,
Fac. Ciencias,
central de venezuela88 pp.
^-^^^ial
de
Universidaal
63-
Ranos Oropeza, S.y J- Pacleco, 19?6. Notas preliminares
sobre la
(baba) , en los
dindmrca energ6tica
de cainan clocodilus
.onicrt.
tr seniharjo sobre.higuires
n6dulos de Apure.
(u.idrochoerus hidrochaeris)
y Babas (a4iit3! crocodilus).
l4aracay, 1- a Dic. 1o76. Proqrana y resdrenes.
64.
Ranos s.,
S. Danielle\,/ski y G. Colomine.
1981. Contribucidn a 1a
ecologia
ale los Vertebrados Acudticos
en Esteros y
Botetin
Bajtos de sabana Modu]ada.
de ]a Sociedad
(139): 79-104.
Venezolana de ciencias Naturales.
XxV.
Rivero Blanco, carlos.
( 136) C-13.
1 9 68 .
E] caimiin v su valiosa
Diel.
rineas
2C
66.
R i v e r o Blanco, Carlos.
1970.
Situaci6n
de la Baba y 1os Gir€r,es
efectos ale la exptotacidn
comercial.
Reco;endaciones
para el manejo de 1as especies.
Foro sobre protecci<jn
y lomento de la Fauna Silvestre.
SVCN, Caracas, 12 pp.
6'1.
Rivero
Blanco, carlos1973.
Ensayo monogr:ifico sobre 1os n&itos
Reproductivos
de 1a Baba o .lacare_tinga,
aaiman croc.odilus
en los llanos de venezuefa y tas p"siUi t i EEEE.-A-6-r.iElo
en semicautividad,
con sugerencias sobre tas Dosibles
aplicaciones
de la metodoloqia de mabejo a1 c;iman Negro
o Jacare-acu Melanosuchus nioer de las cuencas de1
Amazonas y Rio Negro.
Simposio Internacional
sobre Fauna
Sifvestre
y Pesca Ftuviat y Lacustre Ariaz6nica.
25 NovI D i c . 1 9 7 3 , M a n a o s/ A m a z o n a s , B r a s i l .
36 DD.
68.
Ribero
Blanco, c.
I9'74.
"cuiintos caimanes quedlan? Articulo
publi_
cado en La Escena Ecol6gica de Et Nacionat,
Domingo rg de
Diciembre de 19?4.
69.
Rivero
Blanco, C.
19?4.
ltiibitos reproiluctivos
ale la Baba en Los
Llanos Venezolanos.
Natura (52) | 24_29.
'70.
71'72.
Rodriguez,
(En preparaci6n).
custavo.
Efectos de Ias variables
densidad y tipo de dieta sobre la tasa ale crecimiento
en
cautiverio
de ta baba (Caiman crocodilus)
durante el primer
provecLo de -esis, drea de Fcotoqia.
afro de vida.
Division
de Ciencias BiologicasUnrversi/-iad 5im6n eolivar.
Romero G.
1983Distress
call
saves a Caimaq e.
in the venezuelan Llanos.
Biotrdpictls-
crocoalilus
(1) -. 71.-
hatchinq
Rornero, Rafael A.
(en preparaci6n),
Estualio de los efectos ale
algunas variables
quimicas,
fisicas
y ecol6gicas
sobre
biologia
de1 nido de ta Baba (caiman- crocodilus)
.
1a
73-
S e i j a s , Andrds EIoy.
1979. Aspectos fundamentales sobre la
alimentaci6n
y metabolisno
de Caiman crocodilus
y su
relaci6n
en ta conunidad ucuati"a
a""ili-aet
l,n5aufo
Fxp-rinenLal de Manrecat , Esrado Apure.
Tral^aio EsDecial
de crado.
Escuela d- Bio]oqia,
FaauttEd de c.iencias.
Universidaal Central de Venezuela.
123 pp.
'74-
Sei jas,
Andr6s Eloy y S. Ramos1980,
caracterizacidn
de Ia atieta
de 1a Baba.
Caimaq crocodilus,
durante la estaci6n
seca
en las sabanas moduladas de1 Estado Apure, venezuela.
Acta Biol.
Venez. 10 (4): 373_389.
Staton,
Mark y J.R. Dixon.
1 9 7 5 . S t u a l i e s o n t h e alry season biology
of Cainan crocoditus
crocodilus
form the venezuelan llanos.
Mem- Soc. Cienc.Nat- La salIe35 (101)
Staton,
Mark y J. R. Dixon, 197?.
Breeding bjoloqy
of the Spectacted
Caiman (Caiman crocodilus
crocodilus)
in the venezuelan
IlanosU-s- Iish & Wild1. Serv- wiIdl.
Res. Rep- (5):
1-21-
'75-
76.
2I
7'7.
Staton,
1a.
'fofflani,
specimehs irl
M. (comp.).
1978.
A list
of crocodilian
collections
of the United States.
major herpetological
copyright 1978 by Mark A. Staton.
P.O. Box 37336
Houston, Texas 77036.
H1973Posibilidades
de recria
del cocodrilo
enano
Monografia.
negro y de1 perro ale agua amaz6nico.
y pesca
simposio rnternacionaf
sobre fauna silvestre
y lacustre
arnaz6nica.
Tnfolmes de conferencias,
fluvial
Manaus-Amazonas . Brasil.
cursos Y reunioDes N 26.
2 VIrl-D-1
a VIII-D-8 -
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SITUACTON ACTUAL DE I,AS POBLACIONES DE BABAS Y BABIL],AS
(caiman crocoalilus)
EN LA RreICI{ }rcRIE-C€SIEFA DE VENEzUMA
Ministerio
Analrds Eloy sei J as
Servicio
Nacional de Fauna silvestre
de1 Arnbiente y de los Recursos Naturales
. MARNR Apartado 184.
Maracay,
Venezuela
Renovables
€W43!
Numercus localities
along the northern
coast of Venezuela
were visiteal
between january and auqust, 1984Counts of
greater than one year old were related
Cai[.an crocodilus
to the distance travefled
dui_ing the censusingThe
maximum number observed was 196-5 individuals/Km
in a srBll
sector of the Sanare river.
In the other localities
the
values varied from 0.2 to 26.6 individuals,/Kn.
llhere this
species
coexists
with e!999_dIEl1!I]!!!
the observed
popufatlon
densities
of qq!@ryloqodlluq
were low.
It is
consiaiered
that the population
levefs
of spectacleal
cainlans
in tbis reglon are satisfactory,
and may even have been
favoured on the one hand by the drastic
reduction
in nu$ers
of Crocoalvlus acutus. and on the other hand by the cqrstrucLicn
of dams and otber artificial
habitats.
2t)
Introducci.6n
que se ha evialenciado por el
creclente
con ef interds
En contraste
(gaj!3lcl9codi1us)
en 1os ffanos occidentafes
ale
ta
baba
estudio
CIe Venezuela, las pobl€tciones de esta especle en el resto de el
En la repais ha sialo objeto de una escasa atenci6n cientifica.
hist6gi6n norte-costera
ale venezuela,
ademes de las referencias
(Appun,
Humboldt,
19?5),
1961t
la
de
babas
sobre
existencia
ricas
(Donoso-Barros,
1965;
rnds recientes
existen
alqunas referencias
En 6stas se seflalan a las poblaciones
Maness, 1982; Medem, 1983).
a la subale la cuenca det Lago de Maracaibo conro pertenecientes
hacia
j:su
distribucion,
la
cual
extenaleria
especie
-S. fuC€lq,
del resto ale la
Las pobfaciones
e1 este, hasta ef rio Yaracuypertenecerian
crocodilus.
a la sub-especie g.g.
regidn norte-costera
como se 1es conoce en el EstaLas poblaciones
de babas, o babillas
de Venezuela, probablenrente
de la regi6n norte-costera
do Zulia,
un impacto tan acentuado como el que proalujo fa intenno sufrieron
comercial de esta especie en la maYor parte del
sa explotaci6n
(Medem, 1983), con excepci6n de las de la cuenca del
pais
def
resto
ale cuya
una extracci6n
l-ago de Maracaibo, las cuates soportaron
pero que con seguridad
datos (Medem op.cit-)
magnitud no existen
ya que todavia persiste
clanalestina
una actlvidad
fue muy alta,
que eventualmente
es conociala cuando se protlucen deconisos como el
efectuaalo por la zona 5 del I4ARNR, en Maracaibo, en el aio 1982 y
en 616 cueros de babillas.
consistente
Locafidades
visitadas
v Metodolooia
de la reqi6n
Este trabajo
fue realizaalo en aliversas localidaales
por
6sta
a
toda la reqi6n
entendiendo
de
Venezuela,
norte-costera
de1 Laqo de Maracaibo y de1 Mar caale fas cuencas hidrogr6ficas
de
con el objeto principal
Los fugares fueron visitados
ribe.
poblaciones
de1
caimiin
de
actuaf de las
aleterminar fa situaci6n
(Seijas,
Estas
localieste
volumen).
costa,
Crocoalvlus
acqlq,
la
principalnente
en rios,
represas y 6reas de
alades, consistentes
manglares, est6n ubicadas en los Estaalos zu1ia, Falcon, Yaracuv,
Miranala v Anzoateoui.
viside los sitios
seguida para eI reconocimiento
La netodologia
en el trabajo
antes
1a descrita
tados es, en t6rminos generales,
fueron recorrialas
s610 que aunque muchas localialades
citado,
tanto de alia como de noche, s61o se consialer6 eI numero de c.
mayores de un affo contados de noche.
crocodilus
fue calcuen varias ale fas localidades
recorridas
l,as distancias
y cartas topocon Ia ayuda ale un curvimetro
lada posteriormente
EI nimero
greficas a escalas de 1:250.000, 1:1oo.ooo y 1:25.000recorrida.
con ]a distancia
contados se relacion6
de S. qloggellE
calcular
lds alisdonde no fue posible
locafidades
Para aquellas
de los contas610 se presentan los resultados
tancias
recorrldas,
de 1as
sobre la situaci6n
con algdn conentario
Jes realizados,
29
Resultaalos
El nfnero
de e. crocodilus
mayores ale un aio contados a 10 largo de
(perimetro)
las orillas
ale los enibaLses o en fos rios y cafios visitaalos, aparece en las Tablas 1 y 2, respectivamente.
El perimetro
totaf
ale la replesa de Tuld es de 58,2 km, pero s6fo se recorri6
aproxlmadarnente
la mitad de dste.
En la represa
de Socr.t el perimetro total
calculaalo es de 112,3 km, habi6ndose recorrido
solamente
un tercio
del rni smo.
por kil6metro
El valor m6s alto de lndividuos
corresponile al rio
Sanare, e1 cual es un pequeio curso de agua de corriente
intermitente, donile ef pequefio sector inspeccionado
representa
uno ale los
que conserva agua todo ef afio.
sitios
por seci:ores (Tocuyo, Aroa, yaracuy y
En fos rios inspeccionados
Neveri)
la densidad de g. crocodil,E es nayor en los sectores rnes
cercanos a fa desembocadura y disminuye aguas a!.ribar situaci6n
que
es inversa
a la que se presenta
con gfggqdlLqg_eq$lq
en los tres
primeros de estos rios
(Tablas 2 y 3) El nimero tle inalividuos
por kil6metro
en los rios El Cristo,
Unare
y Caio El Eneal son los ft5s aftos,
si se except\ia a los def rio
Sanare, y superan incluso
a la relaci6n
Ind/km obtenida al considerar a g. crocoalilus y C- aclrtus de manera conjunta en aqueffos cuerpos de aqua donde estas especies coexisten.
Otras focalldades
visitadas
fueron el rio Lim6n-Gran Eneal en el
Estado Zufia,
y ef Parque Nacional Morrocoy, en
la Laguna de Jatira
el Estado Falc6n y los canafes de Rio chico 1/ la Laguna de Tacariqua
en e1 Estado Miranda.
Afgunos detalles
y
sobre estas localidades
otras alonde no se observaron babas, aparecen en Seijas
(este volumen)
En el rio lim6n y eI Gran Eneal se puede considerar
a g. crocodifus
como escaso, ya gue aunque los fugareffos afirman que dste existe,no
se observ6 ningtn eiemptar durante 1a corta visita
reatizaata.
En
Ia Laguna tle ,latira,
por e1 contrario,
este crocodilido
es muy abundante, aunque no se pudo establecer
la relaci6n
entre ef nrimero de
babas contadas (27 babas el 11-2-84) con ta distancia
recorrida,
aI
no haber podido precisar
l4orrocoy
esta fltima,
En el Parque Nacional
se observ6 s61o una baba, en las cercanias det caio E] Le6n, eo
aguas con una satinidad
ale 25 partes por mil.
En los canales de
agua salobre de Rio Chico han sido observadas hasta siete babas pero
se puede considerar
a 6stas escasas, al igual gue en fa Laquna de
Tacarigua donde esta especie estii restringida
a 1os caffos y rios
Datos alel autor (Seijas,sin
pubficar)
tomados en la I,aquna La Estre1la durante la elecuci6n
de estudios
en las cidnagas de Juan Manuel,
al sur del Lago ale Maracaibo (Seiias, 1984), muestran 24 babillas
contaalas ell media hora de recolrido
nocturno
en un bote a velocidad
minima.
3o
Discusi6n
En trabajos
(Maness. 1982, Medem, 1983) se ha aliscutido
recientes
brevemente la situaci6n
de las poblaciones
de ggiEg! crocodilus
fuscus en venezuefaEsta subespecie,
Ae acueiEo a veEEm=lip. cit.;
t.rene una distribuci6n
que va desde la cuenca del Laqo de Maracarbo
nasra er rro yaracuy.
Los resultados que se discute; en este arti_
culo.provienen
de observaciones
realizadas
en esta area de distri_
buci6n, pero tambidn en focalidades
ubicadas haci;
a. t"
reqi6n norte-costera
de venezuela,
"i ""i"
en 1a
.*i.tiii"-"i..
.oo."_
pecie de baba, q.9.
crocodilus.
S i n e m b""ur
arqo no se ha querido, af
presentar
fos resultados,
hacer ningun tlpo de separaciSn por suU_
por alos razones:
especies,
en primer luoir,
porq-ue no existen
r
ri saci oAes sue esrabrezcan la distribuci6n
y
:::l:::l,t::.
c a r a c t e r i s t t c a s "".s d e 1 a s p o b l a c i o n e s d e b a b a s e n t a r e g i 6 n , y p o r
10
sus afinidades y_diferenc.ias, v en segundo i.o.r,
porqu"
l] :ar ! :r e g l9o9n d o n d e
se ha real-izado el estudio ha sido la mayomente
afectada por et desarrolfo
urbanistico
e indusrriat
a"i i,"i.,
f"
que ha significado
una modificaci6n
importante
de muclos habitat
naturales
y la creaci6n de ambientes favorables
para ta expansj6n
de.esLa especie, lo que ha podido oroducir camli'os en.r., Jrstrror]_
clon oriqinaf
al facititar,
o limitar,
1a invasi6n y el intercambio
con individuos
de otras localiatades.
Todos los luqa.es vlsitaalos
se encuentran dentro del erea de dis_
tribucl6n
hist6rica
del caimin de fa cosra, SIeSedlltgs acut*,
especae que constituia
eI motivo principaf
del estudio.
e.to oe_
termino qle se ignoraran mr.rchos sitios
alonale se sabia de la existencia de babas pero donde habia poca
o ninguna probabilidad
ate
encontrar
g- acutus,. En este caso se tiene a las cidnaqas ale Curari,
en Fa1c6n y a la Laguna de Campoma en el Estado Sucre.
por otra
parte,
algunas ]ocalidaales muy extensas o inaccesibles
no pudieron
ser reconocidas,
como es el caso ale fa mayor paxte de1 sur alel Lago
de Maracaibo, donde se sabe de ta exjsten;ia
be impo.t""i"=
pob-Lacio_
nes ale g. crocodilus
(Medem, 1993; Seijas, 1984).
Entre et rio
Yaracuy y Cabo Codera, en e1 Estaato Miranda, no fue revisaala ningu_
na localidadEntre estas tocafidades s610 se conoce et ie-r"r-^
hist6rico
de Appun (1961) quien sefrala babas en el rio S."';;;;;;"
en Puerto Cabe1lo.
A pesar de que no fueron visitaalas
todas las localialaaies alonde
existe c- croQodilus en ta regi6n norte_costera ae venezuefa, er
area reconocada se puede considerar
como representativa
de fos alis_
tlntos
hibitats
que 6sta ocupa en la reqi6n y, de acuerdo af an€lisis
qe. Los resu.Ltados, se puede concfuir
que tas babas y babillas
no
solo son abundantes, sino que en algunos sitios
ha tenido incremen_
tando sus pobldciones
por Ia creaci6n de represas y cuerpos de agua
artificiales
que favorecen su expansr6n, y por Ia etiminaci6n
ae-un
competidor
tan importante
como g. djfrtu:Los datos que se presentan en este trabajo
sirven ale apoyo a Ia idea
de que g. crocodilus
ba venido ocupanato aie manera proq;esiva
e-L ni_
cno que ha deiado vacio q. acutus (Medem. 1983)pira-varias
de 1as
Localidades
visitadas
existen aatos o referenclas
fi existencia
de poblacaones remanentes ale este cocodrito
(Seijas,"otre
este-vohimen) -
31
Estos alatos aparecen en la Tabla 1I1 y muestran como en aquellos
importancia
de q.
ale relativa
Iuqares alonde existen pobtaciones
bajos
de babas se encuentran en niveles
eg]f!Jg, las poblaciones
g. gqglgq alisninuyen.
las de gy a mediaa que las poblaciones
aalquieren mayor relevanciacrocodilus
parece inpedir
el desaentre anbos crocodilidos
La conpetencia
ya
donale coexisten,
en los sitios
ale grandes pobfaciones
rrollo
por
(expresacla
kil6me_
en
indivialuos
que al con;iderar
la alensidad
(Tabta 3), fa
consialexados en conjunto
€ros) de amlf,os reptiles
para babas en lugares
misma es baja si se conpara con la que existe
como Tu16, Socuy, cumaripa y e1 rio Unare, en los cuales no existei
de g- e.9]&!9.
sobre 1a existencia
atatos confiabfes
de g. grocsdilus.
parece limitar
la expansi6n
Lo 6nico que actualmente
podria ser
como
adversos,
ecol6gicos
ile factoies
es la exi;tencia
inaliviya
que
se
ha
encontraalo
aunque
las
aguas,
fa salinialaal de
siempre ha sialo en numeros
aluos de esta especie en aguas salobres,
ale babas poalrian hasta
El increnento
de tas poblaciones
muy bajos.
planes ale recupede
impfementar
al tratar
un obsteculo
constituir
localidades.
en
afgunas
de
la
costa
raci6n def caimiin
fueron obtenidas en
que se aliscuten en este trabajo
Las cifras
primeros ocho meses
los
ale
nocturnos a 10 largo
reconocimientos
fase ale la luna. hora,
como
clima,
factores
Algunos
del aio 1984.
Io cual podria haber influido
etc- no se mantuvieron constantes
de fos contajes taf cono sucede en otras locasobre el resultado
(
G
l
a
s
t
r
a
,
1983i Seijas, 1984b) - No obstante, las mismas
fidades
poalran servir
de punto ale partida
Y comparaci6n para el desarrollo
nortesobre g. gIgSg(LLUrq en la region
investigaciones
de futuras
costera de venezuefa.
Aqradecimientos
CIe
A David Gerardo Colalero y Ram6n Rivero. quienes me asistieron
fases
las
distintas
de
eI
desarrollo
durante
una manera eficiente
de este trabajo.
Biblioorafia
Appun, K-F. 1961.
Venezuela.
Hufi\boldt, A, 1975Equinocciales
429 p.
Donoso-Barros,
drilos
cfastra,
Ed. universidad
En LosTr6picos
caracas.
519 p-
central
de
a fas Regiones
Del orinoco aI Amazonas. viaje
Barcelona.
Edt. Labor.
del Nuevo continente-
contribuci6n
R. 1965.
Physis,
de venezuela.
ale los
a] conocimiento
25 l7A): 28'7-4OO.
coco-
of Caiman crocodilus
Notes on a Population
R. 1983.
Biolin Surinam.
DePfeted by Hide Hunting
erg-Se4!-Eq.
2
6
t
1
4
9
1
6
2
.
conservation.
32
Marress, S. 1982. Status of Croqgdvlus acutus, Caiman crococtitus
fuscuq, and caiman cro-codilus crocoairus ln- vEiEZuEia. ea
crocodiles, ruCN pub1. (r.rs), rZZ_rZO.
Mealem, I- 1983Los Crocodylia
de Sur Am6rica.
Carrera 7a.
Ltda.
Bogotii2?0 p.
vol
II.
Edt.
Seijas,
A- E. 1984a.
preliminar
Estualio Faunistico
de la Reserva
de Fauna silvestre
de las cidnagas ae Juan llanuei, ag.a=
Blancas y Aguas Negras, Estado tuliaI.{ARNR. Serie Infor_
mes Tecnicos DGIIA/lT/14'7.
A4 p-
Seijas,
A.E. I984b.
Est.inaclones pobtaclonales de Babas (caimah
crocodilus)
en tos Llanos occidentales
ae venezueral-EFin
Serie Tnformes T6cnicos.
DGSITA/ITI165.
23 p.
Seijas,
A.E. (Este volimen).
situaci6n
Actuaf del
(crocodvlus
Costa.
acutus) en Venezuefa-
caimdn ale ta
33
TABI,A 1
NUMERODE CAIMAN CROCODTLUSMAYORESDE I'N AffO, CONTADOS
EN CINCO REPRESAS DE LA REGION NORTE_COSTERADE VENEZUEIJA
Distancia
Recorriala
(Km)
Localidad
Nclndivialuos
contados
lndlftr
lbcha
Represa de TuI6
(Estado Zulia)
2 9, 1
240
4,2
$ y 17-6-84
Represa
(Estado
37,4
191
5,1
16-6-84
Epre-sa de Pueblo Viejo
(Estado zulia)
30.3
60
2,O
13-6-84
Represa
(Estado
15.0
63
4,2
25-4-84
32,0
2'76
8,5
20-6-84
ale socuy
zufia)
de Tacariqua
Iafc6n)
Represa de ctnlaripa
(Estado Yaracuy)
Nota:
La "Distancia
Recorrida",
se refiere
a1 perimetro
interno
de
estos enbalses.
En fas represeas de Pueblo Vielo.Tacarigua
y Cumaripa, los recorrialos
abarcaron todo ef perimetroEn
fos embafses de Tu16 y Socuy la alistancia recorrida
s61o represent6 la mitad y la tercera
parte,
respectivamente , de
los perimetros
de estos cuerpos de agua.
34
TAB]-A 2
NUMERODE CAIMAN CROCODfLUS MAYORES DE UN Afio . coNTADos
RIOS Y CAftOS DE LA REGION NORTE_COSTERADE VENEZUELA
Distancia
Recorrida
(Km)
Nrlmero
Individuos
Contados
4,0
46
18-6-84
Estaalo Falc6n
Rio Sanare
0,3
59
2 9- 4 - A 4
|(ao tocuyo
Sector A.
1 1, 0
Localialad
Rio Ef Cristo
Sector
Fecha
23-A-84
4
B-
23-A-44
Rio Aroa
Sector A.
26-7-84
Sector B.
Estado Yaracuv
Ca6o E1 Eneal
3,0
HlO YaraCUy
Sector Boca
Ene a f -LirDncito
22-A-84
66
25-7-44
2'l
2s-I-44
Sector B.
6,0
,7
Sector D.
13,2
3
Estado Anzodteoui
2 5, O
Sector
INcls-Puente
Naricl-ra]
16-5-84
7 - 8 - 84
26,3
11
Sector Pte.Sr]cre
Pte.IE Volca
Nota:
37
t9-7-A4
1 4 ,8
Los sectores mencionados para los rios
aParecen seffalados en la F i g u r a 1 .
2s-3-44
23-7-44
Tocuyo,
Aroa y Yaracuy.
tal
FIE:
3$
E
aH
q
ot'<
otE
ot4
€9
I
,9
.a
i\ooNl
iJ
o
;itfi
ol)
E
p
6.
gt9
utff
-l>
3
3
ala
g
-
_- F] Fl
il
oH
I
d
I
Bl{
F
8.
3tH
bl
et.
,4
4flI
"El
$El
a
al
'tfl
g bc
Eg
ESI
d;'
gli
'flco'o<mcoe
o
!
9u
E
9.E'E.ql
;
:;l
x r I I b 8!l
.!? .a
.a
ol
,f! -l
EE
E
99.
oo8688[g
ssP€hkE9
!
o
(u, o oOo
'.1
'-l
d d
oEl
Po
&,s
LA ECOIOGIA Y EL ESTADO ACTUAL DE I]OS ALIGATORIDOS
DE LA GUAYANA VENEZO],AITA
Stefan
corzula
Divisi 6n de.uencas e H.idro odii
aVG Ffectrr ficaci 6n aef Caronil-i.e.
Apartado 62413, Caracas
v
Alfredo Paolilto
O.
lnstituto
de Zoologia Tropical
Universidad
Central de Venezuela
Apartado 47599 Chaguaranos 10 41-A
caracas
SUMMARY
Three species of alligatorids
are found in the VeDezuefan
Guiana region.
whose geographical
atistributions
cover
most of this zoneCaiman crocodilus
occurs in
a
variety of aquatic }labitats, with mean densities of23.42
(older than two years )/]ritometer
individuals
of shore-Iine
in lagoons a d. 2-52 individuals/tiloneter
in riverine
habitat.
Paleosuchus trioonatus
is apparently
restricted
to riverine
habitats
with mean densities
of 0,?9 individuals/
kiloneter.
The lack of ecotogicdt data for paleosuchus
p:alpebrosus does not perrit
an oqjecLive dnalysls
for
this species.
Localities
for cainan crocodilus
and
Paleosuchus palpebrosus \rere registered
upto altitudes
bel<r",
400 meters.
Pafeosuchus trioonatus,
however. were found
upto 1,300 meters.
There is no evidence,
at the Dresent
line, of any sig.llficEnt
neoative impact by ."n
t',"."
species in the Venezuelan cr.riana.
Tn fact,
it is" n
consialered that cattle
ranching activities
iave pr.oduced
an increase in the available
habitat
in the case of
Caimarr crocodilus -
37
Introaluccl6n
en venezuela,
allsmlnuci6n de los crocodylidae
Despuds de la progresiva
presidn humana en
estii sujeta a cierta
la fanilla
Alligatoridae
se hace
Desde este punto de vista,
regiones del paisdeternlnadas
de las especies involucraalas.
conocer las bases ecol6gicas
indispensable
La Reqi6n Guayana de venezuela ofrece varias ventajas para el estualio
alebido a 1os niveles bajos de poblaci6n humana, a
de los allgat6ridos,
que
posibilidades
ale acceso y a los extensos habitats
1as restringidas
ain se encuentran en estaalo natural.
Eneste trabajo
estamos considerando a la Region Guayana de venezuela
y su alelini.taci6n
cornprende,
desale un punto ale vista biogeogr6fico
(1966),
la cuaf
Roze
Merialiobal"
de
1a
aproximadamente,
"Subregi6n
eI Territorio
Federaf Aiazonas, e1 Estado BoIivar,
incluye eI Territorio
del Estaalo Monagas y el
Federal Delta Amacuro, la regi6n oriental
extremo sureste deI Estado Sucre.
un resumen diagn6stico
es e1 de suministrar
El prop6sito
de este trabajo
en
de los aligatdrldos
nes resaltantes
sobie los aspectos poblacionales
en el contexto e.ol6qico.
dicha regi6n y su significado
Material
v Mdtodos
geogrdfica
de ]os aligat6ridos
de la distribuci6n
La base evaluativa
(1) 1a revision
de fos ejenplares
en la regi6n ha sido funalamentada en:
de Rancho
venezolalras (Estaci6n Biol6gica
depositados en colecciones
ile
Venezuela,
la
universidad
Central
de
cranile, EBRG, Museo tle Biologia
MgNLst {2) Ia informaci6n
Naturaf La salle,
MBUcv y Museo de llistoria
(American Museum of
internacionafes
recopilada
en algunas colecciones
l{useum of Natural ilistory,
of Illinois
AMNHr university
Natural History,
(3)
USMN;
el aniilisis
critico
y
National
Museum,
UIMNE
united States
y (4) nuestras
por autores
previos
cbser\racic'ne-s
de los datos suministrados
las localidades
de toala consideraci6n
ile canpo.
Se han elimlnado
previanente
orales no comprobadas
reportadas basadas en referencias
por ef lnvestigador,
como fa mayor parte de las localialades de GodstElk
(1982) para Paleosuchus - Tambidn se ha prescindido
de las localialades
corno algunos alatos de
que no hacen alusi6n a la fuente de origen,
y de informaciones
err6neas como la
Medem (1983) para caiman crocoililus
palpebrosus
presencia
en uruy6n,
basada en una confusi6n
de P-g!ggS!S!S.
en esa
ale Medem (1983) al emplear el reporte de Paleosuchus trioonatus
regi6n, hecho por Poze (1958) para realizar
una metodologia estandarizada
En la actualialad no existe
entre adultos,
Gorzula (1978), sin diferenciar
censos ale crocodylia.
de caiman cSaggqiflC
y crias,
expres6 densidades poblaciones
sub-adultos
permanente"
y
de laguna
de
laguna
de
"caindn,/m2
en t6xminos
"caimdn,h2
alisponible para esta especie se
temporalr',
seialando que Ia superficie
seca ale 1a zona bajo
reduce a una ddcima parte durante la estaci6n
para
se sospecha que toda
lagunas
donde
es
apto
estudio.
Este estimado
por los crocoatyliaSin ernbargo, en lagos
la superficie
es utilizable
la
a Ia oriIIa,
grandes y rios donate los Crocodylia
estdn restrlngidos
densidad pobtacional
deberia expresarse en base al nrimero de "individuos/
Debe hacerse dnfasis en que en rios angostos
kit6metro
lineal
de orilfa".
no est6n separadas entre si,
y riachuelos
de caala orilla
las poblaciones
pero el ancho "crltico"
a{n es desconocido-
3B
Para fa finalidad
de este trabalo
se presentan densiatades pobtacionales
calculadas
en base a individuos
y por 10 tanto
observados
son densidades
que muy probablemente subestiman 1as densldades reales.
La rnayorla ale
1os conteos fueron nocturnos,
ya que las especies estudiadas muestran
mayor actividaal durante la nocbe.
presentaatas excluyen
Las cifras
individuos
menores de dos afios, es decir,
(,,pods,,)-de
agrupaciones
juveniles
o crias.
En el caso de conteos e; t-ase a super_fic;e ae
habitat,
se convirti6
cada cifra
en una ilensialad
line;f,
con Ia prsnisa
que cada cuerpo de agua fuese circular.
Cuando se inalica un tibo .!a
,,rio tompteto
habirat
(Tab1a 3) se trace atusi6n ;;;;-;;.;;"-i;"ijd*
aligat6ridos
de ambas orillas
del rio en eI censo.
En el caso ate
se refiere
"orifla"
a que el censo corresponde a una sola ribera
del rio.
Sinopsis
de fas
Especies
En la Regi6n Guayana ile Venezuefa, fos aligat6ridos
estiin representaalos
por tres especies conocidas,
(Baba comin, Baba blanca,
Caimah crocoalifus
Baba anarilla),
(Babo negro, Babo morichatero) y
Paleosuchus patpebrosus
Paleosqcbs trisonatus
(Babo lregro), aunque Donoso-Barros
(1956a, 1966bj
incluy6
una cuarta especie Melanosuchus LigeI Sobre ]a presencia
de Melanosuchus nioel. en Venezuela deben hacerse
afgunas aclaratorias
importantes.
En fa cita original
de Ia especie
para el pais, Donoso-Barros (1966a) afirm6 que ta inica
localiatacl
sequra
era el Rio Negro y seffa16 que el rinico ejemplar venezolano que estudi-6
procedi6 de] sur def Cocuy (1966b).
Es evialente la anrbiguedad e
imprecisi6n
deI mencionaalo autor con respecto a 1a pro€eAencia exacta
deI ejenplar.
En las colecciones
de Venezuela (y aparentemente alel resto
del mundo, a juzqar por la iDformacidr dada por Medem, 198j) no existe
ningun eJemplar venezolano de la especie y puede ser estimado que eI
eJemplar de Donoso-Barros acaso proceati6 ale Brasil,
pues Cocuy tambidn
es el nombre de un pueblo del Rio Negro en territorio
brasilefioSi el
mencionado cocuy estaba referido
a 1a locafida{i
venezotana, e1 sitio
de
cofeccidn
ale todas maneras parece haber sialo brasifero,
Dues el sur ale
dicha localidad
corresponale ya a fa frontera
entre ambos paises.
ta
existencia
de Melanosuchus nioer en Venezuela no ha podido scr confirmada
por nosotros hasta el presente,
a pesar de los esfuerzos de campo
invertialos
alurante varios affos en e1 Territorio
Featerat Anazonas y en
el Estado Bolivar,
incluyendo
rios como et Negro y et cuyuni, en 1os
cuales podria presumirse su presencia,
tomando en cuenta la alistribuci6n
de la especie en Brasil
y cuayana resefiada por
Medem (1983).
En vista de estas consideraciones,
IIJlgc! es una especie que hasta el
bien su presencia en este pais no
presente trabajo,
en consecuencia,
generos Caiman y Paleosuchus en ]a
Distribuci6n
recomendamos aceptar que Melanosuchus
momento no se conoce d; venezuela,
si
debe ser descartada del todo.
El
se referird
exclusivamente
a los
Regi6n cuayana ale Venezuela.
ceooriiflca
Se han obtenido 68 localialades para Caiman crocoatifus,
12 para paleGuchus
palpebrosus y 24 para Paleosuchus triqonatus.
dtstribuidas
en fus t,"y".
orlnoquense y atliintjca
de cuayana (ver Anexo) - Otras 5 localidades
para Palgosuchus pafDebrosus y una para P- trioorlatus
en el resto del
pals se han incorporaalo a1 aniifisis
de 1a tli st ribuci6n , tomando en cuenta
la carencia de inforinaci6n
sobre este gdnero en Venezuela.
39
En generaf,
las tres especies siguen patrones similares,
estantlo
presentes desale el Alto orinoco basta su desembocaalura en ef Defta y
(Figuras 1, 2 y 3).
No obstante,
Ia visiio
atfintica
ereas de lnfluencia
y
geogriifica
continta
siendo fraqmentaria
actual de la dlstribuci6n
regiones en las cuales no se alispone ale casi
se hacen obvias ciertas
ningun dato:
a)
b)
c)
de 1a cuenca
La comprenallda entre Ia porci6n izquierda
(Estado Bolivar)
y Ia cuenca de1 Rio
del Rio caroni
r'ederal Amazonas) .
sipapo (Territorio
(Territorio
Federal Delta AmScuro)
E1 Delta del Rio orinoco
y regiones vecinas a la costa atldntlca
{Estados Sucre y
Monasas) .
Todas 1as regiones altas en las cuencas ale ]os rios caroni
y Caura (Estado Bolivar),
Ventuari y Alto Orinoco
(Territorio
rederaf Amazonas) -
Habitat
por Caiman efQgqILIlE
en ]a
utilizaalo
mds frecuentemente
El habitat
Tabla 1) . Es realmente
o artificial;
regi6n es de tipo lagunar (natural
ubicar un anibiente de este tipo que no est6 habitado por Ia
Clificil
donde inclusive
especie en las sabanas alel norte del Estado Bolivar,
en charcos temporales producidos Por 1as
es encontrada ocasio$almente
(Gorzula,
sabanas y bosques
1978) . l,os rios que atraviesan
lluvias
y
g.
por
en ellos
ocasionalrerte
crocoalilus
habita.los
son
anbientes
tambidn
casos.
de !.e-!C-SSggLUC. En tales
puede ser simpetrica
con ambas especies
casi siempre es menos abunalante, pero se ignora si
caiman clocodilus
alurante los dos
misma son estables
o 1a simpatria
esta proporci6n
periodos estacionales.
Aunque Ia Tabla 2 sugiere que caiman crqcoalilus
que
bajas,
debe ser tomado en consideracion
es una especie de tierras
carnpo
esfrlerzo
de
en cuanto al
una desproporci6n
actualmente existe
Ia cual favorece a las tierras
desde e1 punto de vista altitudinal,
se ve soportada por una localialad de q. gqqgiiLgq
bajas.
Esta suposici6n
ver anexo), e1 cual drena en una cota
en el Rio Kuken6n (Estado Bolivart
minima de 800 metros.
aftitudinal
ocupan principalmente
Tanto Paleosuchus patpebrosus corio P. !E!gg!g!l]q
alesde qrandes rios hasta
incluyendo
1os cur-sos ae Jgua da la reqi6n,
tambien
y quebraalas, cuerpos de agua artificiales
pequeios moricbales
(Tab1a
aunque
ser
sinpetricos,
1)
Pueden
habitados
ion ocasionalmente
ha sido la situacl6n
en nuestras observaciones
10 miis frecuente
a este fen6meno Y a las diferencias
Meden (1967) se refiri6
contraria.
de la
babitats
ale estas especies en distintos
en abulrdaDcia relativa
habitan
que
en
estas
especies
de
colombia.
l,a
afirmaci6n
Amazonia de
y en los rios grandes en zonas de raudales
en zonas ale agua torrentosas
(Medem, 196?) no es del todo cierta,
aI menos en la Guayana Venezolana'
pero 1a
por P. trioonatus,
suefe
ser
ocupado
Este tipo ale }abitat
especie tambidn estd presente en cafros pequefios de aguas tranquilas.
una
entre estas especies parece existir
Segun nuestras evidencias,
pues
a nivel altitudinal,
de habitats
!'trioonatus
separaci6n parcial
ale hasta 1.300 metros en la Gran Sabana
alaanza a1 menos elevaciones
a alturas
(Estado Bolivar) , mientra P. palpebrosus parece restringirse
40
(Figura 4).
bastante inferiores
Sin embargo, Medem (19e1) registrd
ur ejenpl€r
de P.
?50 metros de aftura
a
en colombia y ta
Fegion Guayana de eeL.:qebEgE_!-9
Venezuela adn no ha sido suficientemente
cubierta
desde este punto ale vista,
todo lo cuaf sugiere que ef uso attitudinal
del babitat
arin no es bien conocido aqui.
Estimaciones
de Densidades
poblacionales
Los resultados
paI:a las estimaciones
ale densidaalespoblacionales
se
presentan en 1a T3bla 3- De las tres especies de ;tigat6ridos
conocidas
para la cuayana Venezolana, pafeosuchus palpebrosus a;arenttmente
es
tan escasa y restrinqida
a habitats
ain no muy bien dafinidos
que resutta
lmposible
aliscutir
respecto a su densidaat poblacional.
De fas dos
especres restantes,
qatll@g! crocoditus
nuestra densialades poblacionales
mayores que Paleosuchus triqonatusAl expresar las denslataates ate
Caiman crocoalilus
en habitats
lagunares como densialaales ,'I ineales,,puede
apreciarse
que en este habitat
la especie alcanza su densidad mdxima,
Aun cua.rdo las densidades reportadas
estiin basadas en indivialuos cbseFrados.
se considera que estas cifras
se acercan a las densidaales verdaaleras
de las poblaciones
estualiadasA travds de varios aios de exDerrencaa
de campo se ha llegado a 1as conclusiones
siguientes:
a)
b)
c)
Los conteos nocturnos det,en realizarse
aturante noches
nubladas, sin lluvia
y cuando la luna es poco evidente.
En los habitats
lagunares los conteos deben realizarse
durante los principios
de ta estaci6n
ttuviosa,
cuando
las babas estiin plenamente utilizando
tas oiitlas
que
a{n no han sido cubiertas
por el resurqimiento
de la
vegetaci6n narginal.
Los ambiehtes ribereffos deben censarse cuanalo e1 nivel
alel agua es suficientemente
bajo como para permitir
uha
visi6n
ininterrumpida
de Ia oritla.
En estas estimaciones
individuos
menores ale dos afros fueron excluidos.
Estamos de acuerdo con Magnusson (1983) con respecto a Ias estimaciones
de densialades poblacionales
en Crocodylia
tienen poco sentido si no se
sabe ]a distribucl6n
para tratai
de edaales en 1a poblaci6n.
de
alesarrolfar
una metodologia
con esta finafidad,
(1984) ha
corzuta
propuesto un m6todo fotoqriifico
para ta estimaci6n
ale los tamafios
corporales
en este grupo.
EI Efecto
En esta
con los
Humano sobre
los
Aliqat6ridos
secci6n se consideran
aligat6ridos:
seis
interacciones
bisicas
de1 hombre
1.
caceria comercial:
Desde ef afio 19?3 hasta septiehbre
de l9g4 1os
aligat6ridos
de ]a cuayana Venezolana no nan estadl
sujetos a una
explotaci6n
comercial
(19?8) consider6 posible
legal.
corzula
que
la
ausencia aparente de dos clases de edades de caiman crocodilus
en 1a
zona de El Manteco (Estado Boljvar)
podia motilrarse a la caceria
comercial
alurante los anos 1972 y 1973.
Tenemos reportes
no confirmaalos
de exportaciones
ilegales
de cueros de crocodylia
desde el Teritorio
federal
Delta Amacuio hacia Trinidad
y Cuayana.
antropologicas
por Indigenas:
Referencias
caceria de subsistencia
2.
amazonas
Fealeral
Territorio
en
e1
papel
aligat6ridos
de los
a1
alusivas
de los mismos cono
(Hames, 1979t Llzot,
19'19) indican que 1a inportancia
los
especies de sustento no es homogdnea.. Segiln Hanes (op- cit.),
relacidlada
la
dieta
de
ntis importante
ef rengl6n
constituyen
aliqat6ridos
(302 de1 peso total
de las especies
con la caceria de aniriales silwestres
'kwana
de1 Fio Padano, tlurante un estu'lio
cazaalas) entre los indios Ye
En eI mismo lapso, los aligat6rialos
ale caceria.
de 216 dias efectivos
para los Yanomamo en la misma
el 2Z del total
solamente representaron
^sin
1as especies aliqat6ridas
peso
de
total
e1
emuarqo,
i""ifia"a.
habitadas
en otras localidades
nres
elevados
puede
valores
alcanzar
cazadas
por la etnia Yanomamo (un sexto luqar entre catorce renglones de caceria
le apreciable
seqtn Hames (op. cit.)'
;studiaalos por Lizot, op. cit.).
que
le asigran a
y
af
valol
respecto
Yanomamo
Ye
Xwana
entre
diferencia
por eI mayor contacto
como piezas de consumo, se explica
los aligat6ridos
(10 gue permite que empleen
poblaci6n
criolla
con 1a -etectivas)
tie la p;imera tribu
y
por
b6bitos de caceria
sus
tipicos
de caceria m6s
i""""ri"i".
fluvial.
en una
realizada
mensuales ale ta caceria ale fauna silvestre
Reoistros
Bolivar,
mosttaron
et
Estado
Pen6n
en
la
etnia
pobJaci6n de 350 indigenas de
peso
del
2.5*
representando
36
neses
durante
cazados
iO aliqat6ridos
(oiasti,
FFb]:es y cova, en prensaj '
de ]e caceria
total
A Fesar de baber viajado
caceria ile subsistencia por criollos:
3diez afros, ninquno de los
unos
alurante
Grrayana
en
la
Reoidn
ampliamente
de venta en las ciudades y
carne de aliqat6lialos
dos autores ha visto
pueblos ale esta zona, ni ba encontrado dicho alj.nento servi'lo en restaurantes
son
1os ali gat6ridos
En las zonas niis alejadass,
; casas particulares.
'
para canlpesinos, mineros
maalereros e iDdios transculturados
oiezas _."t"
por necesi'lad y facilidad
de caceria usua}nente es ejercida
tip;
i.,nq,]"
se ha
circunstancias
predileccidn,
ba-io
ciertas
.' .to oor esoecial
un ejenplar
de
hasta
intensidad
con
una
de
aliqat6ridos
ou"ervaao ciceria
diE ri o.
estdn sujetas a
ciertas especies de reptiles
4caceria Etnozool6oica:
para
Bolivar
del
llstado
por
parte
los
carnpesinos
ale
una caceria ocasional
el nato de agua
figuran
Entre ellas
de "remedios".
1a fabricaci6n
(Tupinambis niqfopunctat$s)
, empleado contra e1 dolor de muelas y
(AmDhj sbaena elbg)
fa rnor."na
Fara reurnati smo y el
e",pinzrcfi"^ient"",'
para
trrlevos se solicitan
(9!9s9{Il1!g
cuvos
intermedius),
ae
orinoco
caim6n
parecen
usos
existir
ni
eI asna. sjn embargo, no tenemos informaciones
pareci alos en ef caso de los aligat6ridosque
de habj.tats naturales
!a destrucci6n
ale Ilabjtat:
5.. Modificaci6n
puede
cohsiderarse
en 1a Regi6n Guavana
a los aligat6ridos
afectarian
excepci6n ile la creaci6n de] l,ago de Guri, cuyo fin es Ia
inexistente,con
El tago existe desde 1969 e inun'16 unos
pi"a"..;a"
ie h-r-droeiectr; c i dad.
-AOO
Indudablemente '
L.Z, ae sabanas y bosques al alcanzar la cota 216'
Ios cuales
y
riberefros,
e1 laqo elimin6 ttum..otos anbientes lagunares
realjza'los
Muestreos
pobl€ciones
de
aliqatdridos'
albergaban
ha
g
u
e
o
r
i
lla
e
s
t
a
i
n
d
i
c
a
d
o
l
a
g
o
h
a
n
""g,r.l*."t"
d
e
f
p
u
n
t
o
s
l
a
o
r
i
l
l
a
6
e
en"v"rio"
dio
una
un solo conteo nocturno
por -cql434 crocodilus.
sialo colonizada
s
e
P
a
r
a
1
9
8
6
a
l
e
o
r
i
l
l
a
'
3.7s individuos,/km
densidad polracitnar-ae
y.tendra una
'psruepveeret l cgi re, ! e I l a g o a l c a n z a r 6 l a c o t a f i n a l d e 2 7 0 n s n m
def nuevo ]ago tendrii unos 2'167
de 4.400 km2. La orilla
las cuafes
de ftis de 100 jslas,
las orillas
sin incluir
kjl6metros,
'
Sj et
de
mil
hasta
m;is
alesale unas hetrtiireas
en superficie
variariin
nuevo lago es biol6gicamente
semejante a1 primero su orilla
albergar.i
por fo tanto,
varios miles de Caiman.crocodihrs.
resulta
poco cIaro
si ef efecto neto del l,ago ale curi sobi-e los aligat6ridos
ha sido
;ar
+ ^tl^
La mortalidad
ile aligat6ridos
causaata por 1a construcci6n
ale carreteras
interrumpienalo
sus rutas rnioratorias
ha sido cuantj.ficada
parciafmente
por Gorzula y Medina-cuervo
(datos inddiros).
Desale Mayo 19?9 hasta
Julio
1980 los medcionados autores registraron
2 individuos
muertos de
g. crocodilus
en 1a carretera
Ciudad cuayana-Upata (56 kil6metros),
drrrante 79 r.ecorridos
de ida y vuelta,
19 individuos
nuertos en la
(68 kil6hetros)
carretera
Upata-Terecay
, durante 199 recorridos
sencitlos
y 5 individuos
nuertos en fa carretera
Terecay_El Manteco (16 kj.f6netros),
Clurante 99 recorriaios
sencillos.
Sin embargo. 1a nayoria ale estos
indivialuos
aparentemente provenian de lagunas artjficiales
aalyacentes a
las carreteras
creadas durante la construcci6n
de ]as mismas.
las intervenciones
lt\lmanas refacionadas
con actividades
agropecuarias
en ]a reqi6n sabanera y zonas aalyacentes del Estado Bolivir,
han proalucido
(tapones, reservorios,
numerosos ambientes acuiiticos
lagunas de rlbalse,
y lagunas ale prdstamo) , las cuales han sido colonizaatos por aligat6rido;
{prjncipatnente
.
Se sospecha que aurinte
este siglo
-Cailnan crocoditus)
dichas actjvidades
han propiciaalo un aumento siqntficatj-vo
de los
aliqat6ridos
en esta zona.
6.
ya que fas tres especies ale
Actitnd
cotidiana
hacia fos Aligat6ridos:
aligat6ridos
presentes en 1a Reqi6n cuayana son reiatjvamente
pequefias y
qeneralmente no causan molestias
a los lugareffos ni a sus animates
dom6sticos,
la actj.tud general ale fa gente es de una apreciable inaliferencia.
(1978) iieport6 un caso de un nifio de 12 affos que fue atrapado por
corzula
un qgl-Bg! crocodilus
y cuyas heridas requirieron
50 puntos de suturaEste
accidente
ocurri6
en una laguna de prdstamo aI tado de ta alcabala
ate ta
Guardia Nacional del pueblo.
Es significatj.vo
que naalie tratd
de matar
a 1a baba y Ia gente continu6 baffiindose peri6dicamente
en este cuerpo de
aguaEste ejenplo constj_tuye una prueba evidente
de la actitud
indiferente
de los llrgareios
tracia 1os aliqatdridos.
La Protecci6n
Leqat
de los 41j qat6ridos
en Venezuefa
las.tr:es
especies de aligat6ridos
reportadas
para la cuayana Venezolana
estiln incluidas en le Lista oficiat
de Animales de caza (Minisrerio
de
Aqricultura
y Cria - Recursos Naturales
Renovables, Resolucidn 5_ 2?5,
13-11-70).
Sin embargo, tanto _pateosuchus palpebrosus
como p. !4!gg!g!Ug
se encrentran
en situaci6n
de veda por tj.empo inatefinido
(Ministerio
del,
Al}lbiente y de los Recursos Naturales
Renovabfes, Resotucidn Ne 95,
25-11-19) El Teraitorio
Federal Amazonas y el Territorio
Federal Delta Amacuro han
sido excluidos
de la caceria experimentaf
de Caiman crocodilus,
permitida
hasta el presente en Ie regi6n l:anera
(lltnist-erio
aEr-66-iente
y ile los
Recursos Naturales Renovabfes, Resoluci6n
445, t4_12_A2\.
43
de habitats
naturales,
Respecto a la conservaci6n
miis ale 23 millones
de
hectiireas se encuentran bajo r6gimen especial
en la cuayana de venezuela.
(Fjgura 4).
No es el prop6sito de este trabajo discutir
a fondo el
contenldo de Ia leqislaci6n
ale tales ireasSin embargo, a conti.nuacidn
se alefinen los conceptos flndamentales
de las tres categorias
b{sicas:
1.
PARQUES
NACTONALES:"las regiones establecidas para la
y conservaci6n
y ale
ale las bellezas
escdnicas naturales
la fauna de importancia
nacj-onal, de fas que el pdblico
alisfrutar
mejor al ser puestas bajo vigilancia
oficiafr'
ofici:rl
ale venezuela 20643, 13-11-43).
proteccioh
y
1a flora
pueda
(Caceta
2.
para la conservaci6n
RESERVASNACIONALES: "Las reqiones establecidas
y utitizaci6n,
bajo viqilancia
de las riquezas naturales,
oficial,
que sea
en fas cuales se alarj a 1a flora y la fauna toda proteccion
compatible
con ]os fines para 1os que son creadas estas reservas"Gaceta oficial
de Venezuela 2C643. 13-11-43).
3.
ZONAS PROTECTOFAS: Articufo
19 de 1a Ley Forestaf
de Suelos y Aqua.s
(Gaceta Oficial
10O4E, 26-I-66.) "En las zonas declaraalas protectoras
por disposicion
de la Ley o por Decreto Ejecutivo,
no se poalrd
efectuar
labor de cardcter
agropecuario
o destrucci6n
de vegetaci6n
por el Reqlamento y con su-ieci6n a las
siro en los casos previstos
gue determine ef Ministerio
y cria.
normas tdcnicas
de Agricultura
Er. el Reglament.o se aletermirrari aderds la forma como podrin ser
pFra instalaciones
utilizadas
las zonas protectoras
ale utilidad
pljb,l ica,,-
Discusi6n
(Medem, 196?; Magnusson, 1982) se han referido
a conteos
Algunos autores
puntrrales de aligat6ridos
en Ia Amazonia ale colombia y Brasil, respectj-EnEnte.
A pesar de que la Region Guayana de Venezuefa puede ser consialerada como
componente de la Amazonia (en el sentido amplio def t6rndno bioqeoqriifico),
de las tres especies
las aproximaciones
de las alensldaales poblacionales
no pueden ser alirectamente comparadas con las
estudiadas
en este trabajo
cifras
indicadas en esos traba-ios - Esto es debido a las distintas
que como se sabe se
ale los habitats,
metodoloqias y a las variaciones
de la abundancia poblacional
en este qrupo.
traducen en diferencias
hunrana en eI Territorio
Federal Amazonas (0,12
La baja alensj.dad poblacional
habitantes/km2,
CODESUR1979) hace pensar que la presi6n gfobal de
mortalidad
e-jercida sobre 9aiman y Paleosuchus no es rnuy importante. aunque
de estos grupos en zonas fluviates
muy pr6xinas
extinciones
o disninuciones
son conocidas (Hames, 1979) .
En e1 norte
a 1os asentarnientos indigenas
del Fstaalo Bolivar
humanas parece haber
e1 impacto neto de las actividades
en particuler
a u m e n t a a l oe l b a b t a t d i s p o n i b l e p a r a l c s a l i g a t 6 r i C o s ,
Cainan crocodilus.
y Paleosuch,rs en la
En resumen podenos declr que gql&q
venezuela no muestran sintomas de Feljqro
respecto a su
poblacional
y futura
sobrevivenci a , s iempre y cuando esa
humano
ccntjnde enfrentando
el ndsmo tipo de desarrollo
hasta e1 presente.
Reqi6n GuaYana de
situaci6n
vasta reqion
y econ6mico que
Aoradecinientos
Los autores agradecen a les siguientes
personas e institlrciones
por su
contribxci6n
en ef Desarrollo
del presente traba-jo:
AIi Acufia, Edlardo
Alvarez,
Carmen l-uisa Atocha de Pifiango, Liris Arredonalo, Lionel Arteaga.
Jos6 Ayarzaguena, Atilano
Azua-je, Luis Balbds, oreste
Ba1bis, Charles
Brewer Carias. Randy Cafender, J j.mmy Capriles,
Julio Cerda, Ram6n
Elosegui,
Asterio
Farrera,
SadI Fayola, Dofia Sofia FernSndez, Carlos
Galiin, Joseva Gorbea. Manuel cuznijn.Donald Hoffmeister,
Gerardo
Hoogestei-'jn, John Hutchins,
John Junor, Ventrrra l,e6n. Glenda Medina
Cuervo, Francesco Misticoni,
Kenalal Mitchell,
Jes\is Morales. Carlos
MorilIo,
Klaus
Muller,
Juhani Ojasti,
Pedro pifiate,
Apacacj_o y Erika
Deslderio
Rend6n, Ricardo Rjveroll..
ouintero,
Ram6n Ri.vero, F.Sayalero,
Jose Miguel Tagliafico,
Carlos Todd. Rudi Tuffino,
cerardo y Karen
Van Dull.en, Josd Vargas, Paulisto
William y Richard Zweifelt
Departamento
de Medicina Experimentaf
def Tnstj-tuto Venezofano de Investigaciones
Cientificas,
Consejo Nacional para Investigaciones
y
Cientificas
(subwenci6n CoNICIT SI 0168), Divisi6n
Tecnol6gicas
de Fauna y zona 1O
del Minlsterio
del Anbiente y de los Recursos Naturales Renovables,
Fundacion para el Desarrollo
de las Ciencias rjsicas,
Matematjcas y
Naturales,
Divisi6n
de Desarrollo
Social y Cultural
de 1a Corporaci6n
Venezolana de Guayana y Divisi6n
ale Clrencas e Ej.drologia
de CVG
Electrificacion
del Caroni, C.A.. Servicio de Fauna Si.Ivestre (MARNR).
-Bi!Ir!@fj3
C o D E S U R{ 1 9 7 9 )
Atles de fa Reoi6n sur.
Mj.nisterio
del Aniciente y cle los
Caracas, Venezuela: 1-67.
Donoso-Barros. R. ( 1966a)
Contribuci6n
a1 conocimiento
(contir,uaci6n).
Physis xxvl (71.): 15-32.
Donoso-lja!rros,
R..
.
corzula,
corzula,
Naturales
p€no\,€b:l.es.
de los
cocodrilos
de Venezuela
de Ios
cocodrilos
de Venezuela
( -tybbD J
Contribuci6n
a1 conocimiento
(conclusi6n).
P h y s i s x x v l \ ' 7 2 ) . 2 6 3 - 2 74 .
codshalk,
Recursos
R- ( 1982)
Tl'e habitat
and distributi
on of Paleosuchus in Venezuela.
proc. 5th. liorking r'4eerino oI Lhe Crocodites Speciat-ist .:rouF
(IUCN). Gainesville,
Estados Unidos: 3l-38.
S-J- {1978)
An Ecoloaical
StuCy of Caiman crocodilus
crocodilrts
Savanna Lagoons in tl-e Venezueldn cuayana.
oecologia (Berl. ) 35: 21-34.
s . ( 1 98 4 )
Proposal for a photographic
nethod for
crocodili6ns,
FFrpetoloqical
Feview I5 (2) . l8-1q.
size
estimates
Tnhabiting
of
45
Hames, R.
(1979)
A comparsion of the efficiencies
Neotropi cal forest huLi ng.
'7
Hrman Ecology
\3). 219-252.
Li zot.
(1969)
on food taboos and Amazonan cultural
Curr, lnthropol.
2 ^ i 1 ) : 1 s n - 1 5 1.
J-
of
the
shotqun
and bow in
ecolcgy.
Magnusson, w, (1982)
Ri^r^di.:l
:cr,a-+c of the conservatj.on of An'azonian crocodiles
in Brasil.
Proc.5th.working Meeting of the crocodiles
SFeci€fj st Group.
[stados Unrdos: 1.4.1]6.
{IUaNl , Garnesville.
Magnusson. w. E. { 1983)
Size Fstimates of crocodilians.
J. HerpetoI. I?: 86-88.
(1967)
Medem, F-
Ft
d;har^
en
Anazonla.
Atas do Sj.mp6sio sobre a Bj.ota Amazonica, vo1. 3 (Ljn'noloqia):
141-164.
(1981)
Los Crocodyli.l
de Sur Amdrica.
colombia).
COLCIENCIAS, Bogotii, Colombia:
Medem, F.
volrrmen T (Los crocodylias
de
1- 354.
Medem, F-
(1983)
los CrocodyliE de sur Amdrica (volumen Jl).
Universidad
}Iacional de Colombia y COLCIENCIAS.
Bogot6, coloribia: 1-270.
Olasti,
Iebres G. y Cova, M. (en prensa)
consumo de fauria por una comunidail indiqena en Estaalo BoIivar,
VenezuelaIx congreso Lat j.noamericano de Zoologia.
Arequipc. Peri, 1983-
J..
Roze. J. A.
( 1 95 8 )
de ta expedici6n
de Ia gniversidaal
SesuItados zooldgicos
la
Auyantepui
central
de Venezuela a
regi6n ale
en 1e Guayana
Los repti les del Auyantepui,
venezofana, abril de 1956. 5.
de 1as expediciones
vene?ue1a, basiindose en las colecciones
de Phelps-Tate,
de] American Museun of Natural tli.story,
1937-38, y de la universidad central de venezuete, 1955Acta Bi01. venez. 2 122)t 243-2"74
Roze,.l.A.
(1966)
I ^ rakdhdr,i.
v Toddeoqrafia
ale los Ofialios
Edic. Blb-r-ioteca de fa Lrniversidaal central
Schnidt,
K . (1928)
Notes on South American Caimans
Field Mus.Nat-Hist. Publ. (zool. ser. ),
Ce Venezuela.
de venezuela:1-343
P u b l - .2 5 2 , x a l
| 1 ' 7) ' - 2 0 5 - 2 3 1 .
46
TABI,A 1
por Tipo de fbbitat
Cantidad de locElidades Dlseiminadas
para las EstrEcies ab
Aligat6ridc
en Ia G]lat'€na de venezuela (seq?r Detc6 de Gnpo de los Autores).
Habitat
Rio6 (lnclu!€ caiG y
rDrichaleE c.n cLrrso
de agua)
Caftsn
Pafecsuc:hug
crocl9dilus
!,abel2ssstq
12
kleo€uchus
triqonatus
t2
2
Iaqnes naturales
(incluj'e rDridlale6
ccr1 a$ra represada)
TerrestJe (anbiente
cqrD sabaia o bos$e
:]
Ai:^^
Aa]
arLificiales
centenares
13
:-D\
(con
de lEct6.reas)
Lagrmas artificiales
(pr€stanD de carretera.s
I5
ccnstrucsicnes
hunanEs
sitiG
biscinas y otrc
ab construcci6n)
13
TATIA 2
cantidad de l,ocalidedes Discrinlinadas por A.ltitud pa.ra 1as EstrEcies de A-ligat6ridos
sr la Gual'ana de Venezr€la (seqin DatG de Canpo de los Autores)
Especie
Altitud
0
1 0 1 101 301 401 :01
100 200 300 400 500 600
CainEn
Ca\ccodilus
PaleoGud)us
pah€l.rosus
Paleosuchus
{netros
sobre
njvel
deI mar)
601 701 801 q01
1001
11Ct
r20I
700 800 900
1100
1200
1300
1000
TABLA 3
Densidaales Poblacionales
I\lmero
Observado
?ipo de
Censo
de Aliqat6rialos
Habitat
en 1 a c u a y a n a
Area ale
Habitat
(Ha-)
(N/Ha. )
Longitud
de Habitat
{kn')
10,00
5,00
8, 33
6,00
10.00
50,00
30, 00
12,00
3, 50
8,00
4,00
o,25
0,61
0,61
o ,25
0, 16
0, 11
0 . 11
0, 35
0,50
0, 35
0,50
20.00
24,59
40,9S
t2,00
12,50
45,43
21,2'7
34,29
14,00
22,96
8,00
3,80
23,42
10,00
4 ,00
o ,20
0,08
0,10
Densidad
por area
Densialaal
lineal
(N/km)
caiman crocodilus
5
15
25
3
2
5
3
12
7
8
4
TOIAL 99
7
15
2
12
nocturno
nocturno
nocturno
hocturno
nocturno
nocturno
nocturno
nocturno
nocturno
nocturno
nocturno
laguna
laqo
laguna
laguna
laguna
laguna
-E-r!-q
nocturno
nocturno
nocturno
nocturno
rio (coTpleto)
orifla
ab laqo
morichal
lvraJ- 5
b._54
10,00
150,00
t4,24
Pafeosuchus
4
D.1a^<,r-Lrrc
3
4
3
4
3
3
4
3
3
IUINL
0, 50
3,00
3,00
0,50
o ,20
0, 10
o, 10
1,00
2,OO
1,00
2,00
46
palpebrosus
nocturno
+ri
rio
(cqrpleto)
2,OO
2,OO
0 , 50
8,00
1,00
1s,00
10,00
o, ao
9,00
1 4, 0 0
5,20
14,'70
'7'7,aO_
6,00
0,s0
3,00
0 ,27
1,60
7,50
0,33
0 ,29
0,58
0 ,24
d^h:+r,c
diurno
diurno
diurno
diurno
rio (c<rl!)leto)
rio {cqpleto)
rio (cfip]eto)
rio (cqpleto)
rio (cqlPleto)
cafio
rio (ori:lla)
rio (orilla)
rio (cqrpleto)
rio (coTl)leto)
9,19
<. <<.i<
-o
Qc
{n
-E
=
e
/
8
1e
:
1
E:E
_r =
I;
E6E
qgg
!
EE
-t
!;
ii ,r.""
10
ltrtlor \
Nlvor
\\\\
I
iit
)
!Jl
i
$c
il0
rul
i
!=
;l
t6
Eg
lg
3E
aZ
=9
:
Ei
=*t
:;
EgE
Eg
ci,
ti
E=s
$e
(fo
0
-&
=-
E
3s
1=
;e
E3
ET
rl
384
ss=
!aE
i9c
c:i
lE0Llrlcl0r
1 0 tt E i
(!c
{r
-m
EeE E C E S E E !
'E
: *E: E
3=:;;
I
il
3l
al
:l
:
:l
:
:l
g,Efu;g
E5;:i:
-*l
il
el
:l
tl
EE:ffii
ANEXO:
Lista de las localidades para los g6nerosCaiflany paleosuchus
en la regi6n
(
i
n
c
l
u
y
e
G u a y a ndae V e n e z u e l a
l a s d e P a l e o s u c h upsa r a l a r e g i 6 n l l a n e r a ) .
Caimancrocodilus
ESTADo
BoLIVAR:
Caflol4aniapure(EBRG
4); Caio Tortuga (EBRG
1l-19); Lasuna
m a r g i n ad
l e l R l o K u k e n a nc,r a n S a b a n a
(EBRG
5 4 - 5 5 ) i - B o cdae p a r q u ; i a . 0 6 . 2 6 - N 67"09'!r (MBUCV
193-194);Rio orinoco (UIMNH
91588-01589);
2O tm-wdei iaro
SanJos6, La ParagLra,
(USNllZt7260); Bai6 Et Torete. Moricha]
06"49-N-53.29-1,{
l r r r 9 u a ( l l H N L=S * ) i P a v i c h e , 0 7 . 1 9 - N - 6 2 o 4 4 -p| u
/ tei d p a0, 7 o 2 3 , N _ 6 2 . 3 3 - t J ;
B o m b aNse g r a s ,0 7 " 1 9 - N - 6 2 . 4 2 -EWl ip a r a i s o ,0 7 . 3 1 - N - 6 2 b 3 i . tUeir e c i v . O t " 2 e - N 62"33-R;flato Horizonte, 07"24-N-62.30'H;
Hatos Las t4aracds
y Et Oti,iunt",
07'15-N-62'26-liJi
Hato La Yeguera,07.22'N-62"23'Vli
Sistena L;gunar de t{apurite,
07"2I-N-62'31-l./;
vilta Bein;,07;21-N-62.34-H;
naiori,iii:ipii i-oi; z6:n-az"za'ii
Rio
Botanano,
06"54-[_60"sb-t/;
nio iupo'nu,
I:!9-ljt:l9li:.
palmar,09.06-N-61"42u o r y - N - b z - l j l .o7l?2'N-62"2s'wi
,l;Kto urande,
este de El
i 3 0 k n l / ld e
E l C a l ' l a o , 0 7 ' 2 0 - - 6 2 ' 0 1 - lEl ;l P l o n o , 0 6 o 5 5 - N - 6 i " 5 0 -C; a ; ; e i ; r ; ' s ; ; i 6 t i x /
U p a t ak n 2 5 , , 0 8 " 1 2 ' N - 6 2 ' 3 I - H ; _ C a r r e S
t ear naF 6 j j x / U p a t ak n 3 8 , 0 8 " 0 4 - N - 6 2 ; 2 9 - | l ] ;
4 r m a r s u r d e t k m7 0 v i a c u r i , 0 8 . 0 9 - N - 6 2 o 5 8 - U
D ia n t ot 4 a n c h a d0o7, " 2 4 - N _
62"52-|,t;.calcetadet perro, oz;05-N6g.q:-!; que6raaaian-luii,-62;iq: -oz"qs.w;
I s l a P e r J q u e r a , - 0 6 ' 4 9 - N - 6 3 . 0 83 -kUn; H d e p e r j q u e r a ,0 6 " 5 0 - N : 6 3 ; 0 t i S a b a n a
L a l c e t aL a r 9 a ,0 7 " 1 6 - l , l - 6 2 . 3 5 -3t ikt ;ms u r c a s a1 4 i q u e l 6 n , 0 7 o 2 3 - N _ 6i 2 . 5S2a: b
| /a1n; a
0e PenasNegras,06"58-N-62.54-H;
Cemo ',l.{,,,07.45-N_62o58-|/li
Hato pele E.l
9jo,_07."52'N-F,2"42'
N; peteEt ojo Ltinche,
oi"sz-n_az.s4-wi
ii eri"i.o, oz"s0-N_
Juaiual,
07"18-N-62637'H;
Carretera
Upata,/E'l
a;te;a-im19 y 30,
!?:11,!!;!1
07"49-l,l-62'30-1,{i
Carretera Upatd/ElMantecokn 32: 07i'47-N_62.30-lll
Carietera
u p a t a / E lH a n t e c ok n 3 7 , 0 7 0 4 5 - N - 6 2 . 3 1 -Ct Ja:r r e t e r aU p a t a / E l 4 a n t e c kom4 0 a l
42, 07o43'N.-62"32'U
i Carretera Upata/Elt4antecokm +h y CO,OZ.qi;lr-OZ"S:-1,,1;
larretera Upata/ElMantecokm 5I y 52,07"38-N-62.32-l'/iCaffetera Upata/El
I l a n t e c ok m5 6 , 0 7 " 3 5 ' N - 6 2 " 3 2 -C
l / ai r r e t e r aU p a t a / E tl 4 a n t e ckom6 2 y-Carretera
63,07.32-N62'32-!l; Carretera tipata/El llantecokn 76 y 7A,07o24-1,{-62.32-l,t;
Upata/
t f l l a n t e c ok mB 0 y 8 2 , 0 7 " 2 2 ' l - 6 2 " 3 2 ' V 1 .
E S T A DMoo N A G ACSa:r i p i t e , 1 g " g g - 1 1 - U 3 " 0(6t l-BHU C3VZ l 3 ) .
E S T A DSoU C R E
CTa f r oA j i e s , 4 k ma g u a sa b a j o d e A j i e s , i 0 " 2 9 - N _ 6 3 . 0 4 -V
! tui e l t a
L a r g a ,s u r d e G u a r a u n o s1,0 o 3 4 - N - 6 3 ' 0 7 -4t ]k; mn o r t e d e C a r i a c o ,1 0 . 3 2 - N 6 3 " 3 3 ' | l JC; a f r o . LBar e a , I 0 . l Z - N - 6 2 . 4 8 ' l ,RJ e
i presn
El pilar, 10"35:N-63.14-t{i
R i o S a nJ u a n( o o n o s o - B a r r o1s 9, 6 5 ) .
T E R R I T o RFI E
0 D E RA
AILI I A Z 0 N C
Aa
Si:o y u r e b a , 0 4 . 0 3 - N - 6 6 " 0 1( -Et iB R G
1516-1517)i
C a i o C o t u a ,Y a p a c a n a , 0 3 ' 4 0 - N - 6 6 " 5{0E-Bl 'R
JG
1 6 5 7 ) ;C a i o C a i a n e ,0 3 . 3 3 - N - 6 6 6 5 6 - 1 , {
( E B R 1G7 9 9 , . l t l B U7C0V3 0) ; T r u c o a p u r eR, i o 0 r i n o c o , 0 3 . 0 1 - N - 6 6 o 1 7(-€t B
'/RG
1800)l
C e r r oC u c u r i t J ,C a i o Y a g u a , 0 3 . 3 6 - N - 6 6 o 3 (4M
- 1B, U
{ C7V
0 3 1) i B o c ad e l C a R op e r r i '
d e - A g u a , 0 3 ' 4 6 ' N - 6 7 o 0 2B' to. /c;ad e t C a f r oy a g u a , 0 3 . 3 2 ' N - 6 6 . 4 6 -RHi;o p u r u n a m e ,
0 3 " 2 5 - N - 6r68.- X .
TERRIToRI0
FEDTRAL
DELTA
AI4ACl.JR0:
(}tHNLS
Caio Arasuabisi, 09.21-N-60.56-t{
994);
Cerca-dL
eosGuayos,09'02-N-60"54
( l-4| H
, i N L8s7 3 ) ; M o r i c h a t( U I M N3H5 4 S j ) ;
C a s t Ii I o s d e G u a y a n a0,8 ' 3 1 - N - 6 2 . 2 5 - H .
53
palpebrosus
Paleosuchus
(fiHLS - * ); PasoBajito,
Rlo Caris, 08"48-tl-64"t6'l{
ESTADo
ANZoATEGUI:
Rfo l'loquete,
l3-!/.
08"35't{-64'
(EBRG
ESIADo
APURE;
Rfo Cinaruco,06'32-N-67432-1,{
1054-1056);
CafioCararabo,
(ilEUCV
Cararabo,
Rio tleta, 06'08-N-69'19-l,l
7032-7033).
ESTAoo
80LMR: Guri, Rfo Tocomita,07o46'N-63o06'l,l;
Ciudadcuayana,
Venalum,
08o18-N-62o49'l.l;
El llanteco,07"21-N-62'32'1,/i
HatoEl Dianante,07'15'N-62"27'Ui
GranjaSantaBtrbara,4 kmeste de SanF6lix, 08"23't{-62o37-lil;
Campamento
Rudi,
Ucaima,
06014--62o47-[.
(Donoso-Barros,
ESIA0o
SUCRE:
Rio San,Juan,10'10'N-63'04'H
1966a),
(EBRG
TERRIToRIo
FEDERAL
,$!AZ0NAS
r CanoAtacavi, 03"06'N-56"53-W
1794,MBUCV
7034);CerroCucurito,CaffoYagua,03'36-N-66"34-l,ii
6avil6n, 40 kmsureste
(EBRG
de PuertoAyacucho,
05o34-N-63"22-1,{
1795);Laquna
de las Vacas,Mavaca,
(MBUCV
02"30-N-65'10-r{
2164-2165).
TERRIToRIo
FEDERAL
oELTA
AMCURo:
La Barra (i4HNLS
984)
Paleosuchus
triqonatus
ESTADo
APURE:
Rfo Clanruco(Godsha'lk,1982).
ESTADo
BoLIVAR:
Auyantepui(fide datummus€oI,4BUCV
3063, Rlo Uruyenentre
y Guayaraca
Kamarata
com.pefs.del colector, PedroTrebbau);SanMartln oe
Turumbdn,
Rio Cuyuni, 06'43-N-61"05'll(I4HNLS
7683); Rio Botanamo,3krnde
la desenbocadura
en el Cuyunl, 06'52-N-60"52't{(MhNLS
7682)i Rlo Eotanano,
1 0 k mr i o a r r i b a , 0 6 ' 5 4 - - 6 0 ' 5 5 - ; L a E s c a l e r a ,k m1 3 5 c a f r e t e r aE ] D o r a d o l
Santa Elena de tjair6n, 05'54-N-61'25'l{iCampamento
Rudi, Ucaima,06"14-N62'47-ll; Pratawaga,Rto KukenSn,
04'55'N-61b23-$J;
Campo
Ategre, Rfo
Kukenen,04"55'N-61o12'H;
Canpanento
Iiski, Rio Yuruani, 04"58-l'l-61"15-l,l;
Rto Yuruani, aguasabajo del sitio de ptanta el6ctrica, 05003-N-61o07-1,{i
Rio
Y u r u a o f ,a g u a sa b a j od e l P u e r t o , 0 5 ' 0 1 ' N -6 1 o 0 9 - | /Q
' |u
i e b r a ddae J a s p e , 0 4 ' 5 6 - N 61o06-l{;Angostura(Lichtenstein y von Martens, 1856[citados en l,4edem,
1983];
sctuiidt, 1928); chimantS-tepui(steyermark,1955lcitado en Medem,
1983]);
, 8 3 ) ;R i o E r e b a t o( G o d s h a l k1, 9 8 2 ) .
R f o C a u r a( l t l e d e m
19
TERRIToRIo
FEDERAL
AMZoNAS:
A'lto Ventuari (Donoso-Barros,
1966a);Caio
(EBRG
Yureba,04003-li-66o01-fl
1510-1515,1796-1797);Rfo Purunarne,
03"25-li65o18-!l(EBRG
1551-1552);Rio Barr-a,01'17-t{-66'27-ll(MBUCV
2163): Alto
Rio Barla, 0t'05-N-66'25-w(l4BUcV
7035-7036,Altf{H= * ); Rlo Mawarinuna,
= r );
6 kn del Canpanento
Neblina",
00"50-l{-66'12-!l(I.18UCV
7037, Ai4NH
"La
I'La Neblinar',00'54'N-66"f3'X(AtlHH
=
Rfo lllawari
nuna, Campamento
" 1.
CafioAguaBlanca, Rlo Mawarinuma,
00"49-N-66'07-ll(ltlBUCV
7038); CanoYagua,
03"32-N-66"46-Sl.
(* = muestradepositada,registro desconocido)
54
TBABOS EN BAIEAST UIiIA T"ENBA DE PIRrcERSE
AL aLLIGAIOR m
Carlos
Rivero
ITfiDA
Blanco
v
Bianca D,Andria
C R B E c 6 l o q o s \ - o n su I L ^ r 4 s , C . A .
Apartaalo 80531,
caracas 1080-A
Venezuela
SUMIIARY
The existence
of circular
or semi-circular
depressions
used apprently
for resting
by Caiman crocodilus
along
the shores of some streams in eastern llanos of
the
State of Barinas,
Venezuela, is reporteal.
The
shape
and dinensions
are describeal, as welf as its use bythe
caimans.
Comments are made on lhe possible
relation
',cator ltole,'
between ths crocodiliaD
babit and the
buifding
activities
of the Alllgglg!
mississippiensis
in its marsb environment.
We presume, that tlese
depressions,
are used by the caimans ior simply resting,
or possibily
cdtchinq prdy within rhe elclosed space
ithich miqht work as a trap.
55
Durante un viaje
a los pantanos
pudimos visitar
Edwin Froelich.
espec.ie de hondonada construida
mississippiensis .
de Floriala,
en 1972. en compaiia de
y observar un r'Alligator
Hole", una
por individuos
ale Ia especle Alliqator
Este hueco, hondonada o crSter es hecho por los machos en su hiibitat
grandes dimensiones.
ale pantanos y con el tiempo llega a aalquirir
La
sacada por el aninal al tracer el hueco y agranalarlo, es
tierra,
que
acumulada a su alredealor y forma una especie de muro o cameflon
nantiene sobre el nivel de inunalaci6n, dando el asoecto de nn cr6ter
circular.
(1975), eI alfigator
segin Ehrenfeld
comienza a abrir
el hueco utilizando
y cola
la vegetaci6n y sus patas, vientre
sus mandibulas para arrancar
para apartai
hacia las orillas
e] fango suave que forma el piso def
pantano.
El animal no s61o mantiene e1 hueco abierto
sino que 10
HolesI
agranda const anternente . Con eI tiempo, uno de estos "Alliqator
pueale tener un diiimetro de miis de siete netros y una profundidad
de
Estas hondonadas, conforman uno ale los pocos lugares
unos dos netros.
que mantienen agua durante la sequia anual del pantano.
Es durante
esta 6poca, cuando mds valor tienen para la variada fauna que se refugia
Sin el constanr.e mantenimiento por parte de1 alligator,
en 61los.
de
estas honalonadas se colmatad rdpidanente
1' pierden su condici6n
y vertebraalos de 1a zcna.
para numerosas especies de invertebrados
refugio
nos parecio curioso que no se
en Florlda,
Luego de nuestra experiencia
para 1as especies de
ningUn
comportamiento
similar
hubiese reportado
suramericanosLa manifestaci6n
etof6gica
nds cercana
crocodilidos
pareciera
sobre ]a cual Medem (1981) ha hecho algnmos
ser la estivaci6n,
(q6nero) la estivaci6n
se nanifiesta
en enterralse
en el barro
ec.hg!
de lagunas y otros cuerpos ale agua que se van s,ocando durante Ia 6poca
mds cruda alel verano.
de
construye cuevas o madrigueras subterriineas
Crocodvlus acutusr
grandes dinensionesUna de el]as, descubierta en el rio Palenque, en
por una ciimara de ocho metros y mealio de
colombia,
estaba constituiala
y otra subacudtica.
En las
diiimetro y dos entradas, una superficial
zonas de mangfares. Ias cuevas son hechas bajo las raices y hojarasca.
crocodvlus
intermedius:
esta especie aprovecha 1as ciircavas horizontales
Los caimanes
en los barrancos de los rios.
hechas por la corriente
en cuevas segun observaciones
profundizan
estas cdrcavas y las convierten
de los lugareios.
Melanosuchus dggl:
en ef fango de ]as
seq{n los indios Yecunas, esta especie solia
lagunas y en el monte debajo de Ia hojarasca-
estl\,?r
No se ha observado estivacidn
Paleosuchus pafpebrosus y !. trioonatus:
madrigueras cuyas entradas se
propiamente dicha, sino nr6s bien
Suefen
encuentran por debajo deI agua y quedan destapadas en verano.
lladar a +p;F- t^:".i r;s dF I r-s lretros de Iarqo y en e-t tordo son nds
anchas.
56
Durante repetidos
viajes
al Hato Mata de Biirbara, en ef fstado Barinas,
(febrero y marzo)
durante los uftimos meses secos del presente aio,
pudimos observar como senana txiis senana, los cafios y lagunas se
secaban, permitiendo
ver ejenplos
claros de lo que Meden (op. cit.)
para Caiman.
ha reportaalo como comportamiento de estivaci6n
Durante varios vuelos en helic6ptero
realizados
con la finalialaal de
puclimos observar,
hacer ensayos de censos fotogriificos
adem6s, unas
parte,
curiosas
honalonadas ale forma circular
fornando
unidas o selEraalas
y san
de las oriflas
de los cafios La Aguaala (Lo 68 33' y LN 8 10')
Miguel (!o 68 33'y
LN 8 05,)E r 1e s t a s H o n d o n a d a s c i r c u l a r e s
habia
agua y se pudieron observar varias babas en su interiorAquellas
bondonadas alejadas de1 borde de los cafros estaban secas, y xo observamos evidencias
de ningfn animal en su interiorEl aspecto a6reo
perfectamente
que nos
de estas horrdonadas es el ile criiteres
circulares
traen a fa memolia la descripci6o
de las"Bateitas"
ale Aguirre
(Cruxent, 1950), y decidimos, entonces, llamarlas con e1 misno nombre.
Durante un vuelo del 24 de r,arzo,
en las playas del caffo San Miguel
Dimensiones
fotografiamos
('Tabla 1) .
TABLA I
ale ]as "Bateitas"del
ANCHOENTRADA
ANcHo BATEA
LARGO BATEA
LARGOTOTAL
PROFUNDIDAD
TETI4. AGUA
TEMP. CANO
TE},IP. ATRE
HORA
30 cm- no
150 cn. 200 cm170 crn. 200 cn.
210 cm. 200 cm.
14 cm.
15 cm.
31 C
31 C
10 C
}2 C
35 C
]5
c
16.16
16.50
y medinos
cafio
san
tres
bateitas
Miguel
130
cm.
130
cm.
130
cn.
?.5 cm.
31
C
30c
35
c
17-15
secas son pricticamente
cuando se canina por
Las bateitas
inconspicuas
la orilla
ale estos caios.
Aouellas que ya no forman parte del borde
pero todavia tienen agua tienen forna ale pozos circulares
y son miis
ficiles
Las que estiin formando parte del borde del caio lucen
de ver.
como muescas semicirculares
o como sacos con una entraala en forma de
cuello angosto que las comunica ^on el dgua ,let cafro.
Desde et aire,
las bateitas
secas aparecen confornrando un patr6n de
del cambiante nivel del agua
crdteres
a 1o largo de las marcas paralelas
y las que todavia tienen liquido
E] ruido
se ven con nayor facilidaaly el movimiento del lelic5ptero,
alerta
al acercarse,
invariablenente
y asusta a las babas que se encuentran en el agua de 1as bateitas,
provocando su huida hacia el agua del caffopuede tratar
ale interpretsa):se
La relaci6n
entre las babas y Ias bateitas
(1) I,as babas han sido cbserv€das,
a la luz de las siguientes
observaciones
dentro deI agua de las bateas (hasta dos indivien repetidas
ocasiohes,
y el tamdffo de las baLeiras
duos d Ia vez\ y (2) La rorrE circular
parecen guardar una relaci6n
proporcional
con ef tamafro de 1as babas.
51
Dos preguntas surgen de las anteriores
observaciones i
1.
,Son las
babas las que hacen las bateas? y 2. acuiil es la utilidad
d; las
bateas para las babas?
La primera pregunta es muy interesante,
ya que aunque no se ha visto
a ningud individuo
construyendo las bateas, sabemos que en su c(rljuto,
los cococlrilidos
suramericanos son capaces de remover tierra
e incluso
profundas cuevas, bien sea aprovechando la existencia
excavar y habitar
de alguna circava natural
(Medem.Op-Cit).
o trabajando
desde un principio
Aalemiis, el antecedente del "Alligator
Hole', nos muestri que un pariente
cercano ale las babas es capaz de hacer cr.iteres
ate m.is de siete metros
de diiimetro
e impactar
de t.al nodo los pantanos donale vive como para
ser un factor.ecol6gico
ale gran importancia
en 1a creaci6n y el mantepara si y para otras especies de plantas y animales niniento
de habitat
Segdn Maqo Leccia (Con. Pers.) no se conoce, para la zona, que un pez
pudiera hacer semejantes crdteres
en e1 fondo o en fas milrgenes de los
cafios.
Habria que lacer las observaciones
pertinentes
para poaler
asegurar que las babas consttuyen 1as bateas.
La utilidad
de las tjateas puede tener alguna relaci6n
con aspectos como
el ale servir
temporalnente
como trampa para pescar, corno fugar ale reposo
o, cono lugar para refrescarsel'losotros tratamos de excavar en una de
las bateitas
secas, pero no encontramos ninqin
indicio
de que alguna
baba hubiere quedado sepultada en el fargo en su interior.
La priictica
ale construir
bateas, si es que es cierto
que son las babas
las que lo hacen, no ha sido reportada
anteriormente
debido a la
para apreciar
dificultaal
su presencia alesde una perspectiva
cercana al
suelo.
Creemos que este fen6meno sea rnds confn que lo que a primera
vista parece y que se pueda estudiar
detenidamente.
En conclusi6n,
nos encontramos ante clertos
indicios
de que Ia baba es
pequeias hondonadas o bateas, un comportamiento en
capaz ale construir
cierto
modo parecido al del ALLlgglgI
mississippiensis
cuando construye
sus "Gator goles".
De hecho, se han observaalo numerosas bateas en dos
(Venezuela) siendo usadas por
cafros de la zona oriental
de Barinas
indivialuos
de la especie en aparente actitud
ale descansoSe presume
que dichas bateas pueden servir
para atrapar
a invertebrados
o vertepara descansar o refrescarse.
brados acuaticos,
Biblioorafia
Cruxent.
Ehrenfeld,
J-M- 1950- Las Bateitas de Aguirre.
Sallex (2.'7) -- 1'75-1a6 -
Mem- Soc. Cien. Nat. La
David W. 1975Tbe Alligator:
Landscape Architect
of the
Everglades,
In:
Our Magnificent wildlife
Reader's Digest.
1"78-r'19.
Medem, Federico.
1981Los Crocodylia
de Sur An6rica, Colciencias
de Colonbia.
In:
Vol. I, 354 pp.
Los Crocodyfia
58
CENSOS DE
Caiman crocodilus
UNA \'ARIACION METODO],OGICA
carlos
Rivero
Blanco
v 'Andria
Bianca D
CRB Ecologos
Consultores
80 5,:1,
caracas.
Apartado
, C . A.
1080-A
venezuela
SUMMARY
presents partial
comparative
This contribution
results
of spectacled
cayrnan counts maale
visually
durlng the night and photograplically
and from
the
during the alay from a helicopter
in tl]e eastern
shores of snalf fagoons and rivers
venezuela.
a
11anos of the state of Barinas,
methoal for measuring the length of individual
photography was also devisealcaymans using aerial
59
Introalucci6n
El manejo de una pobtaci6n de caiman crocoditus
requiere
conocer ef
numero de individuos
y las ctases de edad que ta componen. Se han
utilizado
combinaciones de diferentes
tdcnicas para 1a reatizaci6n
de
censos o estimaciones
de1 nrinero ate individuos
(Chabrek,
de una poblaci6n
1966; Woodwardy Marion, 1977, corzula, 1994) Con la intenci6n
de realizar
un censo ale Caiman crocodilus
en fagunas
artificiales
y en caffos de un hato en los ltarros oiiEiEEIEs
del Estado
Barinas.
Venezuela, tratamos de conparar tres nodalialaales: 1._ Fotografia
a6r:ea desde un helic6petro.
2.iitoqrafla
a nivel dei suefo, atesate Ia
y, 3,- Contaje visual nocturnoorilla
Para determlnar
el tamafro individual,
recurrimos
a una combinaci6n de
fotografia
a6rea y medici6h por proyecci6n.
nediante e1 uso de escalas
de referencias
colocadas en las playas de asoleo o flotando
en el agua
de fas lagunas Para eI primer caso se utili26
como referencia
una tabla ale maalera ate
dos metros de largo dividida
en secciones de 20 ){ 10 centimetros.
Estas
secciones fueron pintadas con los cofores rojo y blanco afternadamente.
En las Iagunas se utilizd
una tabla de anirne con un patr6n cuadriculado
de 10 x 10 centimetros,
marcados tambidn con colores contrasranEes.
Se efectuaron
vuefos paralelos
y sostenidos
a 40 m- de aftura
sobre los
cafros donale se encontraban fos animates (Eastman, 1971).
Las secuenclas
fotogr.ificas
se hicieron
con una camara rnotorizada de 35 njn-, utitizanato
una lente de 100 run. Una vez procesadas,
las secuencias de fotos se
proyectaron
sobre papel. procediendo asi a marcar, a fiipiz,
los indil'iduos
que se veian tanto en tierra
como en el agua.
rn eI ca_fio en el cuaf se
coloc6 la escala de dos metros se tom6 la medida proyectada con un cornpas
y se construy6 una escala que se us6 para neatir c;da-animat.
Las fotos tomadas en las lagunas se proyectaron
ale 1a nisma forma, crea*lo
una escala de medici6n en base a la plala de anime ftotanteEn este
caso s6]o era posible registrar
el tamafro ate la cabeza ale los animates
y3 que ere Ia fnica parte flotante
(1984) describe
sobre ef aguacorzula
un metodo para calcular
el tamaffo de los individuos
utilizando
la raz6n
largo cabeza/largo
hocico.
comparable a su vez con ta taIla
.tet .r,crnd
En eI caso de lagunas a punto de secarse, logramos hacer fotografias
en
las que todo el cuerpc de los animates era visibte
pualiendo, aI nenos,
apreciar
la relaci6n
cuerpo,cabeza con cierta
facilidad.
Resultados
rEn 1a situaci6n de camFo especifica para este irabajo,
et conreo
aereo nediante et uso de hetic6ptero
y ciimara notorizada
larece ser
apropiado,
riipido y preciso pero costoso.
2Si comparamos los conteos a) a6reo fotogrdfj.o
motorizado,
b)
terrestre
diurno fotogrdfico
y c) conteo nocturno de una misma laguna,
(c) perniLieron ver y conrar r;s aninates que (b),
observamos que (a)
q u e ( c ) e s n u c h o m .dys p r d c t i c o y m i i s b a r a t o q u e ( a ) y { b ) .
60
y
3,
Si e1 contaje nocturno se hace con una cdmara provista
ate f]ash,
seguramente permitird
afinar
eI mdtodo ya que se poariin -ontar
tos ojos
con la,calma que provee e1 laboratorio,
como en el caso det censo
fotogriifico
diurno terrestre
o adreo4.
l,a estimaci6n
el uso de la escala
altura
a que volamos
estaban precisamente
det tamafro de los animates en tas ]agunas, meatiante
ftotanre
fue un roLundo ri..".",-a"tia"
a que ta
vari6 de una foto a otra y.
q""-foi-""i*"f."
en e1 centro, cerca de 1a-escala""
5.
La estimaci6n
del tamaio Ce 1os animales en el cafio, neatiante ta
escafa de dos metros en lie.ra
no ha sido comenza<ta,
-i;J;i-iii.'aiiiaoy-.a'pr"a,aa
qrra
habre cierta
dificurtad
en medir rod".
i;s
a que el
iingulo de posici6n
no coincide
.iempre e.,
p"rp""ai"ii.r
al aigulo
de vuefo""i
Conclusi6n
Aunque no definitivos,
Ios resultados
de esta contribuci6n
tienden a
mostrar como es mds itiI,
barato y preciso un censo pedestre nocturno
de Totosrafia_y_ftash,
si se compara
ru-.pr.,.".io,., A.
ir: dt _ m
] _t.s_n: ya: 9t e: c n l c a e n
h o r a s d e l d f a , b r e n s e a a p i d "o" i e n h e l l c o p L e r o . F n
cualquiera
de ros casos e1 contaje se hace en irn ambiente de iaboratorio,
mediante ]a proyecci6n
de las ctiapositivas
sobre et ;a;;;
en el que se
marcan con un liipiz
los individuoa
contados.
nsta tE"ii"a,
es soro
practicable
en aquellas
laguEas en las que no existe
vegetaci6n flotante
que obstruya la vista Biblioorafia
chabreck,
Robert-
1956.
Metbods of aletermiDing the size anal conposition
of Afligator
populations in iouisiana.
proc. 12th AnnConf.
Conf. S.E. Assoc.
calne & Fish Comn: 105_112.
Eastnan Kodak Company 1971plotography
from Lightplanes
and Heticopters.
Kodak pubtication
N, M_5 c|.T 141 5144 Rev. 1974: 1_i5Gorzufa,
Stefan-
proposal for a photographic
1984.
method for size
estinates
of crocodilians.
Herpetotoqical
Review
1 5 ( 2 ) : ] F - 1 9.
Woodward, A1lan R- y Marion R. Wayne- 19?7.
An evaluation
of factors
affecting
niqht tiqht
proc. A1ln.
counts of Altigators.
Con!. S.E. Assoc. Fish & Wildl.
Agencies 32. 29I_3O2-
ESTI'DIO DEI, CRECIMIENTO EN CAUTTVERIO DE I,A BABA.
CAI}IAN CROCODILUS, DURANTE SUS PRIMEROS MESES DE VIDA
Gustavo
Rodriguez
Arvelo
v
Michael D- Robinson
ale Biologia
Departamento
sin6n Bolivar
Unitersidad
sartenej as, Baruta, Estado lliranda
venezuela
SUMMARY
caimans
of the grouth of 250 spectacle'l
the resufts
This paper analyzes
five
nonths
f-irst.
during
their
(caimin- crocoditus)
raised in captivity
anal
that
given
to
the
effects
was
d:c!
sp-""i"f
attention
oFlIEE.
density
The variable
density
t,a;e on the growtb of young caiirans.
however, the effects
on the growth ratet
had a irery clear influence
was
The nortality
growth
was
less
clear.
the
of the tyie of aliet on
etc'we
gzamong variabfes.
correlations
we i-atcufateal growth rates,
by
them with those reporte'l
and contrast
inalyze methods anal results
(the
bone
presented
is
analysis
an economic
iinally
othe; authors.
and economic diet) ' and
seems to be the most favorable
anal meat flour
and models of cornnerciaf explotation'
we propoFe several suggestions
62
IrItrotlucci6n
La cria de crocodllidos
en cautj,velio
se viene ensayanclo alesde hace
(AIIioator
un.siglo con Aligatores
nississiElpiensisi
en Ios
Fstados
unloos.
Actualnente ios '.csultados de Jaroos afros de experrencla
han redundado en beneficio
en granjas especiatizadas
en ia cria ae
Aligatores
a escala comerciaf
(chabreck, 196?i Joanen y Mc Nease.
1971, Mc Nease y Joanen, 1981) - Tambi6n se ha ensayaili 1a cria en
cautiverio
de otros crocoditiilos
como_llfggglllllg
(poofey,
niioticus
1970)En Vene:uela hace algunos afios surgi6 la idea de criar
crocodllidos
er'i cautiverio,
pero realmente han sido pocos los resultados
que se
han obtenido hasLa eI momento. para et caso de fa Baba (caiman
crocodrlus)
y .La Baba marr6n -(C:!. fuscus) hay cierta
e*pEiiEiEia
previa con algunos ensayos hechos en iiuUverio
(Btohm, i9?3;Rivero
Blanco 1974, Pachon, 1982).
Tanbidn existen estualios ie tipo eco16_
gico que tratan
sobre h:ibitos alimenticios
y reproductivos
ale la
b a b a ( S t a t o n y D i x o n , 1 9 7 5 , 1 9 ? ? i c o r z u f a , f g l e ; S " i j a s y R a m o s1 9 8 0 ,
Ayarzaguena, 1980) . Datos obtenidos en estos trabajos
junto con
datos aportados por Ia larga experiencia
en Aligato;es
iueron ]os que
srrvleron oe bases teoricFs esenciales para eI disefro de este experi_
Este trabajo
pretenale aportar mds informaci6n
a la ya existente
sobre
ef tena ale cria de crocodilidos
en cautiverio,
y trlta
de un aniifisis
de los resultados
obtenialos de la observaci6n d;t crecimiento
de babas
durante sus primeros meses de vida.
Se tiene como parte funalamental
del experimento,
un aIriilisis
de tos efectos que ejeicen dos variabfes
(tipo de alimento)
de control:
dieta
y densidad (Nrimero de individuos/
unidad de espacio) en la variable
de estudio:
crecimiento
Este trabajo
cuenta con el apoyo econ6nico de FUDENA. El trabajo
fue
realizado_como parte ate un proyecto conjunto entre estudios ecoi6qicos
y btctecol69icos
que se adelantan en ta Universidaal Sim6n Bolivar
para
evaluar fa factibilidad
de instalar
un criadero
de babas a escata
co_
mercial,
y cuenta con 1a Tutoria
acaddmica atef profesor
Michaet Robinson
(usB), quien es adem6s autor de1 disefio experimental
original,
y tuvo
a su cargo fa coorallnaci6n generat de este y de 1os demdl trabajos.Los
Dres- C. Rivero, S. corzufa, A. Seijas, y J- Ojasti,
aportaron ideas y
recomendac i ones , asi como tanbidn L. pierichi
en fa parte
i E. Eljuri
de aniilisis
estadisticoEl Inq. Carfos Anglade prop;rciono
ta infra_
-los
estructura
bdsica y ofreci6
su Hato como fuqar paia
estualios bio_
logtcos,
E] Sr. Ivin Dario Maldonado permiti6
ta recofecci6n
de los
huevos ale baba en su Hato.
Deseo tambidn aqradecer af personal de
FUDENAy en especial
a Cecilia
BlohmA mis padres, a mis compaieros,
y en general a todas las per.sonas que ayudaron y colaboraton
en la
realizaci6n
de este rrabaj o.
Materiales
\/ M6todos
Diseno experimental:
El punto bi{sico det diseio
experimenral
es ta
evaluacl6n
de los efectos que ejercen las variables
(dieta
de control
y densidad),
(longitud
en e1 crecimiento
total,
y
Iongitud
corporal
peso) - Para ello se ensayaron 3 dietas y 3 densidades (disefio 3 x 3) .
63
en eI Hato "T,os Arrecifes",
se realiz6
Este trabajo
de estudio:
Sitio
El
hato
estii ubicado en el Esta'Io
t)roDiealad del rnq. carfos Anglade.
(
9
o
3
'
N
o
rte, 68' 15' oeste)'
d
e
G
u
a
r
d
a
t
r
n
a
j
a
s
4
0
K
m
;
.
6uriii"o, a
Los huevos fueron recolectados
Recofecci6n e incubaci6n ale los huevos:
20 Cleestos
ale la naturaleza,
directamente
ale 25 nialos de baba obtenidos
los
clDco
Estaalo
Apure,
en
el
trio"
de1
Hato
se
nialos
obtuvieron
"81
Los huevos fueron
del propio hato ile estudio'
se obtrlvieron
restantes
controun cuarto aisfado donale se mantenian condiciones
incubados elr
-c y
para
colocar
sustrato
Como
(30
relativa)
ale
humedad
952
ladas
con que estaban hechos 1os
el mismo material
1os huevos se utiliz6
se incubaron 523 huevos alurante 2 meses.
En total
nitlos.
A mediila que
cuidado y marcaje CIe los recidn nacidos, mediciones:
se colocaban en poncheras con agua en e1
iuan na"'iendo 1;s individuos,
Los inativialuos se marcaban cortando
misro cuarto de la iocubaci6nme_
ldentifica'los
escamas de fa cresta caudal simple, esto permitia
patas
tle
1as
aledos
se
recortaron
tanbidn
binario;
diante un c6aligo
a que serian sometidos'
de1 Nc de trataniento
com; inalicativo
anteriores
ale su fecha 'Ie naciA caala baba recidn nacida se 1e tom6 un registro
y
medidas:
provenia
sus
respectivas
cual
deI
eI
nido
rniento,
(LT):
desde la punta 'lel hocico
- Lonqitual total
medida ventralmente
hasta la punta ale la cofa (! 1 mm).
desde ta
(LHA).
medida ventrafmente
- t-ongitud corporal
u hocico-ano
ite la cloaca (! 1 mn) '
punta-del
hoci;o hasta e1 borde anterior
- Peso (P):
Estas
(!
mediala con una balanza
se repitieron
mediciones
1 gr) .
mensualmente para
(alinentaci6n,
Diseio ale los zoocriaderos
e1 resto
para
los
zoocriaderos,
250 babas
del
hato.
lagunas
las
to'las
1as babas'
cuidados) . se utilizaron
(216) se soltaron
en una de
fos cuales
se tenian 10 estanques separados para los recidn nacidos,
indivi'luos
permanentes.
l,os
las
lagunas
una
de
borde
de
fa
se situaron
se pasaban a los estanques despuds de uno a cinco dias de nacidos'
se colocaron 1as 250 babas repartidas
el alise6o experimentaf
Las tles densialades ensaya'las fueron:
10 jaufas.
Siguiendo
enire las
es decir
0,08 m-lindiv.
1.-
15 individuos
en 1,2 m',
2.-
26 indivialuos
en L , 2 m ' , e s d e c i r
0,046 m-lindiv.
3.-
35 individuos
en L , 2 m " , e s d e c i r
0,034 m'lindiv-
tres
alietas
ensaYadas fueron:
1.Dieta a base de insectos
1uz el6ctrica.
2.-
Dieta
a base ale alitnento
de la
conercial
3.Dieta a base ale peces de rio
pu1m6n) . finamente picaalos -
a las
sabana atraidos
(Perrarina)
y visceras
de res
jaulas
'
(principalmente
con
En total
se tenian nueve tratamientos.
se tenia una jaula por tra_
tamiento,
miis una jaula adicional
donde se mantenian ZZ inai.,,iar]o=
de repuesto,
estos individuos
eran usaalos para reenplazar
aquellos
que murieran en los distintos
tratamientos,
de maneia de mantener
constante 1as densidades durante el transcrurso
del experinento.
Debido a limites
ale espacio y de individuos
no se pudo hacer dupU
cados de fos tratamlentos.
Para la escogencia de las densidades y e1 disefro de tas
Jautas, se
siguieron
recomenalaciones de trabajos
hechos con Atiqato;es
y con
(Chabreck, 1967r ,Ioanen y Mc Nease, 197r. L976.t Coulson ,et
babas
af, 1973; Blohm, 1973r Chirivi
Gaf]ego. 1973; Afvarez alel Toro,
19?4; Mc Nease y ,f,oanen, 1981).
En estos trabajos
tambidn se habfa
de que los requerinientos
de espacio de Aligatores
nEntenialos en
cautiverio
aumentan exponencialmente
a nedida gue crece eI animalTomando esto en cuenta, en el atisefro de] experimento se inctuy6 una
segunda etapa donde todos 1os individuos
fueron pasaalos a jaulas
mayores con un espacto cuatro veces mayor (una densidad cuatro
veces menor que la inicial)
.
Este traspaso de los individuos
se
hizo a partir
del cuarto mesEn cuanto a las dietas ensayadas hubo necesialad de hacer algunas
modificaciones
alurante eI transcurso
(ver resultaalos).
de1 experimento
No se dieron suplementos vitamtnicosr
solamente se alaba un compfernento
de calcio en forma ale conchas ale nolusco trituradas,
que se vende cono
alimento para pollos.
Este suplemento se les daba a 1os de ta alieta
a base de carne, ya que fa carbe roja no contiene casi calcio (Bothwelt,
1962).
Este elemento es vital
para Ios crocodilidos
(Coulson et al,
19'73) , y es facilnente
para la baba en forma de esras
asimilabte
conchas. ya que las mismas constituyen
parte de su dieta natural
(chirivi
cal1ego, l9?3) .
Las jaulas
ale Ia prinera
etapa meatian t,Z nr2 de 6rea total.
En et cen
tro tenian un estanque de 30 cn. de profundidaal y un drea aproximaaal
mente igual a la mitad de1 area total.
Las Dareales eran de teta
metelica
y eI techo era de una malla pljstica
(ite invernaalero) que
dejaba pasar 20% Ae I,.tz - Las jaulas recibian
suficiente
sol durante
las primeras horas de Ia mafrana y fas \iltimas de la tarde,
pero se
evitaba el fuerte
sol de mealiodia, adeniis se disponia ale un pequeio
compartimiento
de sombra total
donde las babas se podian refugiar.
Se colocaron cuatro bombillos
de 100 w c/u para los tratamientos
con
dieta de 1os insectos,
la tuz se dejaba prendida durante cuarro horas/
noche.
El agua se transportaba
a las jaulas nediante una bomba de
gasolina,
directamente
de fa lagunaEl agua ale los estanques se
cambiaba todos los dias, previamente
timpiado el pozo y sus alrealealores.
El afimento se les alaba aal fibitutn
(tanto como elfos quisieran
comer) ,
una vez af diaEl alinento
se les ponia en un solo plato por jau1a,
bajo sombra.
Las jaulas de la segunda etapa eran similares,
sdlo que
con un area cuaLro veces iayor.
Babas crecidas en condiciones
silvestres:
Durante los meses que dur6
eI trabajo
se hicieron
varios muestreos nocturnos alrededor
de la
laguna grande donde se soltaron
las 216 babas narcadas.
Las babas
capturadas tambidn eran medidas 1/ Desadas.
65
E1 anelisis
de los datos:
ale los datos serealiz6
Analisis
estadistico
EPSON 0X-10.
Se us6 el programa de
con la ayuala de un microsistema
(Northwest Analytical
Statpak).
Se
Dbase II y ulr paquete estadistico
ile varian?a,
En las
anelisis
etc.
usaron programas de regresi6n,
de nedias y ANOVA se usaron siempre intervalos
de concomparaciones
fianza ale 95x (P 0,05).
Resultados
v Discusidn
durante
se hicieron cbservaciones qenerales tb las b€bas fiEntenidas en cautl\rerio
se
usarcei
datos
de
creciftiento
ah
1os
para
isis
estaatistico
Pero
el
aniil
10 neses.
externas al
s61o los cinco prineros lleses, debic]o a que alqjnas perturbacid)es
e)@erifiento (fuga de un gnlpo de babas ale ]as jaulas cu€ndo caflenzd el lEriodo
las \rariables de cqltrol.
de Uuvias)
alter€rcn
de 90z, todos los individuos
nacielon
Ecl-osi6n:
Se obtuvo una eclosi6n
presente,
pero dste se
sanos, algunos tenian todavia parte del vitelo
y
sobre la incubaci6n
en uno o clos dias.
Miis detalles
reabsorbia
en el trabajo
de R. Ronero (1984).
ecolosi6n
se pueden encontrar
Todas las
siguientes
babas fueron pesadas y medidas af nacer,
resultados :
se obtuvieron
los
Medi a
lonqrruo
Longitud
Peso (gr)
toEar (mml
(mnl)
corporal
10,9
39,'7
o,44
o ,12
1 4, 2
(Staton y
han sialo obtenidos por diversos
autores
Valores similares
Estas dimensiones dependen un poco
Dixon. 1977; Ayarzaguena? 1980).
(Staton,
y Ia dpoca de postura
geogriifica
1976).
de la localidad
Las babas que se mantenian en las tres jaulas con dieta
Alimentaci6n:
(en su mayoria cofe6pteros,
y lepiddpteros)
se
ort6pteros
de insectos
perfectahente
durante mes y medi-o, es decir.
hasta el
afimentaron
(Dicienbre
de 1983) , cuando decreci6
finat
deI perioalo ale lluvias
y
Ia
activialad
la
biomasa de 6stos,
A pesar ale los esfuerriipidamente
1a intensidad
ale Ia
reflectora,
zos hechos (aumentando la superficie
no se 10916
luz, y el tiefi\po que se dejaron prendiaos los bonbilfos),
suficientes
insectos.
Por esta razon fue necesario cambiar esta
atraer
por supuesto, consdieta por carne-pes cado-ca1ci o - Esta moalificacion.
alel experimento
una fuente de error que enturbia
los resultados
tituye
ale crecimiento
respecto a las otras dietas.
en tdrminos ate diferencia
muy
l,as babas que se mantenian a base de carne y pescado se alimentaron
fue
simiEf sistema usaalo para alimentarlos
bien ilesale e1 principioIar aI usado por otros autores (Blohm, 19?3; Rivero Blanco, 1974): se
pedazos pequefros de pulm6n {que flotan)
del
en 1a superficie
arrojaban
a comerlo, despuds se les ponatria el
agua ale manera que aprendieran
las babas siempre
A1 nomento de afimentarse
alimento fuera def agua.
una especie de conmoci6n qeneral produciendo sus llanadas
originan
calacteri sti cas . Un fen6meno observaalo fue que en todos los tratamientos habian siempre algunas babas (las m6s grandes) que impedian a las
es esta una de las razones por
demiis acercarse a obtener el alinento,
Este hecho se veia ailr!
las que siempre habian babas subalimentadas.
66
m6s acentuado en las alensialades a1tas.
Este efecto tal vez se hubiese
podido reducir
distribuyenalo
el alimento en varias fuentes separadas
por estanque, y por supuesto la otra alternativa
hubiese sido realistri
buir fos anirnales en atenci6n a1 lamaio (chabreck,
1967; chirivi
callego,
1973; Blohm, 1973), pero para fines de este experlmento, hacer esto
hubiese alterado
las densidaales, oue era una de 1as variables
de
Durante el experimento se ensayaron varios tipo ale carne.
La que mds
se us6 en todo momento por ser la de menor costo fue el pufm6n (bofe),
(conchas de moluscos)
ef cual se conservaba mealiante salado.
E1 calcio
para 1as babas y tuvo muy buena
result6
ser un complemento perfecto
aceptaci6n.
Se ensay6 tanbidn con viceras de babas beneficiadas
de1
puede ser de
mistno hato, hubo nuy buena aceptaci5nEste resultado
gran iftrportancia a la hora de instalar
criacleros de babas de uso extensivo donde se usen ciclicamente
tos desechos del beneficio
de Ia baba
para alimentar
a las babas mantenidas en cautiverio,
Futuros estudios
podrian incluir
si bay aliferencias
ale crecimiento
con 1os distintos
UD hecho bastante notable fue que en los uftlmos reses
tipos de carne.
de estudio se not6 un porcentaje
bastante alto de babas subaiimentaalas
en los tratamientos
ale carne-pescado,
esto puede haber sido debido a
-
Las babas posiblemente
presentaron
un rechazo
a la
carne
satada.
Dado que no fue posible mantener una propcrci6n
aalecuada de pescado
en esta segunda dieta debido a la dificultad
de conseguir peces fresc€s
durante los meses de sequia, esto puede haber producido un efecto negativo para el crecimiento
de las babas, que necesitan
D,
Ia vitamina
proveniente
del pescadoSin embargo no se vieron los sintomas tipicos
(deficlencia
(chlrivi
de raquitisno
de vit,
D) en reptiles
Ga1lego, 1973)
I,as babas que se pensaban mantener con Perrarina
no mostraron interds
en comer dicho atimento en ninqin lnomento, pese a todo los esfuerzos
(granulada y expalrdida),
y
h e c h o s , t a l e s como probar distihtos
tipos
tratar
incluso
ale inducir
fa alimentaci6n
forzada(Joaneny I\4cllease.
Resultados similares
han sido obtenitlos con Aligatores
a este alimento puede
7917, 1976).
La expficaci6n
cle Ia baja aceptaci6n
ser el hecho de que estos animales, por ser de hdbitos
carnivoros,
posibfemente no 1o reconozcan conro comestibfe,
er|
o tengan aliflcultades
que se encuentran presentes en todos
asirnilar
fos componentes vegetafes,
estos alir,entos
comerciales.
vn resultado
muy diferente
fue obtenido al
(y sustituir
canbiar esta dieta
todas fas babas de esta dieta por uil
stock nuevo) por harina de carne y hueso, 1a cual tiene hasta 45% ale
proteina
animal cruda y no contiene complenentos vegetalesLa aceptaci5n de esta harina fue tota]
en todo nomento.
El sistema seguido para
alimentarlas
fue usando primero trozos de carne picaalos, rociados con
poco a poco se fue aumentando Ia cantidad de harina,
hasta
esta harina,
que en un mes, la proporci6n
],a harlna
era casi exclusivamente
harina.
era mezclada con aEua de manera de producir
una pasta y siempre se
dej6 alqo cle trozos de carne para dar consistencia
a la pasta, de otra
forma 1as babas tenian dificultad
en conerfa al no poderla njanipular,
ya que los alimentos
parte de su dieta
"pastosos" no constituyen
natural -
Se sugiere para futuros
trabajos,
ensayar tambi6n con mezcfas ate dietas
(ejm: pescado con barina de carne y hueso), para evita!
posibles
pro_
blemas (ejm: deficiencias
vitaminicas)
, que de hecho se han encontraalo
en Afigatores
a1 aplicar. monodietas por tlempo prolongado
(Mc Nease y
Joanen, 1981) .
solo hubo un tratamiento
(babas que comian carne, a densidaal baja)donde
las babas no se quisie-ron .ilimentar
en ningtn nomento.
Todas 1as babas
de este tratamiento
estaban subatimentadas,
no llegando ninguna a pesar
mas de 100 gr.
Las razones de este extrafio fen6meno se desconocen,Dero
se sospecha que pueale haL'er sido pol factores
(de nacini;nto)
congdnitos
ya que todas estas babas provenian de un nisro nido y las
y las fteatias
de las dimensiones para estas babas fueron las menores de t;das
(21 cmy 31 ,7 qr).
Tambi6n este el hecho ale que pasaron varios dias desde que
nacieron estas babas, hasta que comenzaron el tratamiento;
esto tal vez
haya afectaalo algin periodo critico
en Ia vida de tas babas.
Toalos los
esfuerzos hechos para lacer comer a estas babas resultaron
en vano.
Debido a este hecho, estas babas no fueron incluialas
en los aniitisis
esr-adisticos.
Crecimiento:
Se cafcularon
medias y varianzas
de los tres pariinetros
medidos (LT, LHA, y P)para toalos tos tratamientos,
para cada mes ate
nedicidn.
Se calcularon
tambjdn tasas de crecimienao.
Resulta inposi_
ble exponer en_este trabajo
todos los resultados
por lo que
obtenidos,
se expondxiin s6Io los resultados
qlobales.
Se ca1cu16 una regresi6n
lineal
entre LT y LHA para todas
todas las medjcjones, se ubt\rv^ el sid i6nfF ra<rrlfA,-]^.
(1140 puntos)
LT = 2,19.LriA - 0,12
las
babas y
El coeficlente
de correlaci6n
fue r = 0-97 10 que indica una muy atta
correlaci6n
entre estos parinetros.
Datos similares
ban sido obtedidos
para fos demiis c:i1culos estadisticos
por Staton y Dixon (1975).
no se
us6 el par.imetro LHA,sino solamente LT y p.
j,as mediciones ate LHA
fueron
usadas solamente para extrapolar
el valor de LT (en funci6n de
esta regresional,
para babas que habian perdido parte de la cola en
peleas, para estas babas se us6 e1 vaior de Ll' extrapolado,
no eI real.
Tambidn.se cafcularon
regresiones
tineales,
exponenc]ates,
logarltmicas
y de raiz c{bica,
para observar cual alescribe meior la correl;ci6n
entre
LT y P, los resultados fueron:
x = I-T, Y - P
(900 puntos) .
Y=6,62x-113,2
Y = 3,16-eo.llx
3vy= 0, 15x - 0, 17
LogY=3,081o9x-5,98
r = 0,88
r = 0,90
r = o,92
f = a,92
Como puede observarse,
todas las corr.elaciones
dieron bastante aftasAunque las mejores vienen siendo
Vy y Logy, resultados
sitnilares
han
sido obtenialos con la baba (Staton y Dixon, 1975); Vanzotini y comes,
1979) y con Aliqatores
{,roanen y Mc Nease, 1976).
Et becho de que
68
este tipo de regresiones
alefinan bien ta correlaci6n
entre
estas va_
riables,
es una reafirmaci6n
ale una observaci6n
qeneraiizaaa
ae que
el peso en crocodiliatos
aumenta exponenciafmente
en fu""iO"
ae f"
fongitud
y en funci6n de ta edad (hasta cierta
eaaa) fOowrrng y
Brazaitis,
1954r Chabreck y Joanen. 1979), dato ale gran importancia
a
Ia, hora_de- pensar en edad y tanaio definirivo
para 6er.,efi"ia, ,rna
ut hecho de que ta reqresi6n lihFal para Fstos prineros cinco
meses haya dado relativanente
(r = o,Bil) nos inar'ci que probablq
alta
mente en las primeras etapas todavia no se baya ,,disparaato,,
e.t creci_
miento expodenciaf,
esto tal vez ocurra despuds del primer afro.
A1 comparar las vaI:ianzas obtenialas entre toalas las mealiciones,
se
obtiene que las varianzas han crecido aie rnanera J""pi"p"i.r"""a"
medida que transcurre
el tienpo.
Este hecho es una- coirsecuencia Ce
"
no poder reclasificar
fos animales en atenci6n al tamafro y ate que
hayan_babas que impidan fa alimentacidn
de otraseri.-.!
,rn .f."to
perjudicial
para cualquir.plan
de manejo, pue" fa cor].ecoencia es que
aumenta la varianza,
et nrimero de baba; suLatinentadas
y eventualmente,
]a mortalidad La mayor unifornialad
(nenor varianza)
se obtuvo en los tratamrentos
a
base de insectos
(en los meses en que hubo insectos),
esto es segura_
mente debido a que en estos tratamientos,
af caer insectos
en fa
superficie
def agua, todas tas babas tienen mds o menos la mrsma pro_
babilidad
de obtener alimento y por 10 ta.to
e1 crecimiento
es oastante
parejoEste hecho nos podria dar un indicio
en apoyo de fa teoria
de
que alimentos
alistr.ibuidos
en varias fuentes por 1!"ii
*.yor
lioaucen
uniformidad
de tamaios
que un solo plato por-jauia.
piobalremente
en
estos tratamienlos,
1a principal
fuente de variaci6n de tamafio era de
rapo genelrco
(de nacimiento) - Este efecto gen6tico se podria
realucir
a un ninimo poniendo individuos
naciatos ale ui mismo
p", 1""r".
De hecho Ias varianzas
"ia"]
eran muc})o menores en los tratamientos
donde las
babas provenian de un mismo nidoSe hicieron
varios Anovas de una sota via para aleterhinar
.La presencia
ale efectos de las variables
de control
f". t".""
a" aa""ra,""t".Lo.
Anovas_se calcularon
independientemente ""para tasa de crecimiento
en p
Para la primera
H0:
Ilo existe
H1:
Existe
prueba
efecto
efecto
de hip6tesis:
de Ia densidad-
de ta densidad.
Se obtuvo como resultado
que para todas las medicr,ones se puede recha_
zdr ta hipoLesls nura {Hoi sua di-e q," i";;;;;;;-;J"rJl
i..."
o.
crecrmiento son iguates (p ( 0,05).
p o d e m o s a f i r m -a;r; . ; ;e n t- o; ;n' c e s , q u e t a
densidad es un factor definitivo
para afectar i;;
enro,
en babas mantenidas en cautiverio.
siendo mayor ef
-y_."tS" r " c 1 n.l ,n"r]or
densidadEste efecto se observd Aesa" ef primer-..", ".""i*i"."o
presente
en los Lres grrlpos de dietas.
Si consiCeramos que en tdrninos econ6nicos, Ia densiatad ideaf
es ta
rnaxrma dehsldact que se puede mantener sin que se vea afectado
ef creci_
miento de las babas en cautiverio,
entonces de este resultaclo se desplr_-nde
69
'le 1as
q*9.]l,ienor
que esta densidad ideal atebe ser menor
i9"11
para babas
densidades ensayadas en este experinento " (0,08 mzlindividuo
j 1 ParticulariEnle
estutlios se
oPinanos que en futuros
i"ii;"-ri"r3"i
que le'luzcan
y
metodologias
aplicar
menores
alensidades
deberian ensayar
liga'Io
intinamente
aI minimo ta irarianza de tamaffos por Jaula (factor
nido
de
un
mismo
lndividuos
a la alensidaal), estos mdtodos incluirian:
jaula,
en
y
por
reclasificacion
de
alimento
fuentes
por Jaula, varias
_"t""-.ia"
Se esPeraria de esta forma conseguir tasas ile
al tamafio.
Es de hacer notar Ia importancia
mdximas en cautiverio.
crecimiento
(ejm:
fa escogencia
.t9)
agresiviala9:
de patrones cornportamentales
"l
para elegir
El
criterio
para
cautiverio.
el
de bensiilades a-decuadas
de
tar,bidn dependeria del tipo de estrategia
la denslalad "ideal"
que se desee emplear, es decir si se desea nantener pocos
explotaci6n
in-aividuos c;eciendo a un ritmo miximo, o se desea mantener nuchos
creciendo poco (ver "Modelos 'le expfotaci6n"
i;il;;;;;;
idensidaa alta),
en las concluslones).
Para Ia segunda prueba
t{0 :
Hl:
la dieta
no afecta
la
afecta
dieta
el
de hip6tesisr
el
crecimlento.
crecimiento.
nula (Ho)
se obtuvo como resultaalo que se pueale rechazar la hip6tesis
q
u
e
d
i
f
erencias
existerl
de1 sequndo mes. Es ilecir
a partir
ipeo
,OSt
'creclmlenlo
Siendo 1a
dietas'
las
distintas
a
sonetidas
entre baba;
ie
crecimiento'
e1
miiximo
encontr6
y
se
alonde
huesos
carne
ale
ale harina
dieta
debido- a varias perturbapuede que no sea muy confiable
Este resultatlo
'ocurrido
el
que han aftera'Io
er
experimento,.
durante
han
;;;;";
a;
de
dieta
el
cambio
otras
estdn:
Entre
dieta.
ale la variable
control
el becho de
ile 1as babas que estaban sometidas a 1a ilieta de insectos,
en la dieta
de-pescado
proporci6n
adecua'la
no haber poahdo mantener una
de
dificultad
sala'la,
ae
la
carne
posible
iechazo
el
I.
3
o
4
dias
".i""-i".."a".
de
que
un
ayuno
caus6
fo
dol
ocasiones,
en
la carne
Ilevar
A pesar de esto se sospecla que
en las babas sometidas a esta dieta.
dietas'
entre 1as distintas
ale crecimiento
si alebe haber una diferencia
(Mc
y
1981) '
Joanen'
Nease
Aligatores
eI
se
ha
encontraalo
como de hecho
'le to'Ios rnodos resulta
ale creciniento,
Aunque no hubiesen tliferencias
babas mantenidas con
por
iqual,
eI hecho de que havan crecido
;;;iti";
con
y
babas
alinentadas
2
Bs/ks
que
cuesta
y
hueso
irarina de carne
adends ' de m6s
harina,
ae res iue cuesia 6 Bslkq, siend;la
;i.;;;.;
fecil
manteniniento
Y transporte.
Ne 6
en e1 tratariento
mexinas se obtuvieron
Lastasas ale crecimiento
baja)
y
a
densidad
hueso,
(babas alinentaalas con harina de carne
(Fiq. 1r. 2)Las babas que n6s crecieion alcanzaron un promedio de 2'7
Datos sirTilares aunque un
v :]o cmTmes, v 29,3 grlnes (Fiq. 3 v 4) '
:o:,,
^ a " ' b a j o s - ( 2 , 5 c m / n e s ) h a n s i d o o b t e n r d o s c o n I a b a b a e o T o !(Pachon'
i"""
marron
y
la
baba
con
1974)
(gtofrnr, 1973t Rivero Blanco,
iutores
ya que nos dan i'lea
1982) . son alentaalores estos datos ale crecimiento
en cautide
crecimiento
alta
potenciafidaal
bastante
una
de oue existe
apropia'las
con'liciones
ar meximo usando
ie puede'explotar
;;.;;-.;;
manLeniendo
iesin alqunos modelos v estimaciores'
iJi"i.=v-a"".iJid).
pue'Ien
Ilevar
se
a
dstas'
simrlares
cauti;erio
en
tasas de crecimiento
(1'20 nts)
exPlotables
comercialmente
a
ta1las
anos,
tres
en
babas,
a las
( D ' A n d r i a , 1 9 8 0t P a c h o n , 1 9 8 2 ) .
'i0
Una observaci6n
interesante
fue que alurante el priner
mes, las tasas
ale crecimiento
en longitud
fueron mucho nayores que para el resto de
fos meses.
Esto puede expficarse
en parte por una observaci6n hecha
de que fas babas recidn nacialas tienen un ,'factor de estiramiento,'
que puede estar presente o nor cuanalo estii, puede llegar
hasta2,5cn
en la primera semana o 3 cm en los primeros 15 dias.
Este hecho se
vi6 bastante cfaro en nuherosas babas que fueron medialas varios alias
despuds de nacidas sin haber iniciado
todavia e1 tratamiento.
En
general se observaba este increnento
en lonqitud,
acotnpafiado por una
pdrdida de peso/ por 10 que no se le pueale tlamar crecinlento.
Este
fen6meno ta1 vez se podria explicar
como una adaptaci6n ecoldgica
ale las babas para alcanzar una talla
m:ixima en sus primeros periodos
de vida, en pro de su adecuaci6n y supervivencia,
y eI hecho ale estar
presente o no podria depender de factores
gendticos,
dpoca del aio,
tamaffo de los huevos, y otros factores
relacionados
con la estrategia
y de supervivencia
reproductiva
de la baba. como lo cita Staton (1976).
Otro fen6meno encontrado fue que durante los rneses de sequia, Ias tasas
ale creclmiento,
en general,
se redujeron
notablenente,
siendo de 2 o
2,5 cn/r..es para las babas que mds crecian,
y nucbas babas perdielon
peso durante estos meses.
Ulra posible expticaci6n
ale esto podria ser
un perioalo ale estivaci6n
posiblemente
natural,
relacionaato con carnbios
hormonales aI llegar
la dpoca ile sequiaEste hecho es ya bastante
conocido en Aligatores
mantenidos en cautiverio
en climas templados
(Cbabreck y Joanen, 1979( y que tambidn ha sido visto
en ta baba nrrrcn
por Pach6n (1982) quien encontr6 tambi-in reducci6n en fas tasas ale
crecim:iento y pdrdidas de peso de hasta 10% a,urante los meses de sequia.
Enfermealades, mortalidad:
No se encontraron
enfermedades evialeDtes
durante ef traDscurso
del trabajo,
solamente se observ6 un porcentaje
(222 ael total
afto de individuos
subalimentados
de babas) - Se cree
que la causa principal
de esto atebe haber siito ]a alta alensidad, aurque
tambi6n pueden laber contribuido
(sobre todo entre las
otros factores
que se afimentaban con carne), tales como: deficiencias
vitaminicas,
rechazo a ]a carne salada,rechazo
a ta roonodietaSe calcularon
% de mortalidad
e indivialuos
subalimentados para todos
fos tratamientos,
y se encontr6 que existe
un efecto claro de fa abnsialad
sienalo miiximo (35*) en fas alensidades bajas.
Se encontr6 que entre las
distintas
dietas este % fue menor en los grupos que comian harina.
La mortalidad
total,
sin incluir
15 babas que murieron por un accidente
(desecamiento ale un pozo), fue de By duranie los cinco ;rineros
neses,
1a causa principal
eia subafimentacidn.
Se estima que este I puede
llegar
a ser mucbo menor, e incluso
llevarse
a O% si se extreman las
precauciones
y se usan condiciones
(de dieta y densialad) . Con
ideales
todo, este Z de mortalidaC
resulta
sumanente bajo si 1o comI)aramos con
los obtenidos para babas en la naturaleza,
para su priner
affo ate vida,
que es el afio critico
debido a la alta predaci6n,
hambre y desecamiento
de los pozos; diversos
autores han reportado
Z de nortalidad
entre 70 y
90% para e1 primer afio (Rivero Blanco, 19?4r Staton,
1976; Ayarzaguena,
1980, MARNR, 1982).
El hecho de poder mantener una nortalidad
tan baja,
a] eliminar
justifica
1os factores
que 1a producen, pricticamente
el
mantenimiento
en cautiverio,
aunque sdlo sea por un ano-
7!
agresivo de las babas en cautiverio
El conportamiento
comportamiento:
miis notabfes.
La agresividad
es un factor
fue una de las observaciones
y en propiciar
el stress
en la distribuci6n
alel alimento,
nuy importante
que puede ser un factor
negativo en eI crecitniento.
Se
en 1as jaulas,
sospecha que este stress producido por peleas, etc- puede haber sido
encontrado en 1as
razones del bajo crecimiento
una de las princlpales
se han encontraalo con A-ligatores
Resuftados silllilares
densidades aftas.
(Chabreck. 1967) .
sonetialos a densidades altas
a la
en las babas son muy importantes
Las llamadas o sonidos tipicos
al resto de1 grupo de Ia
hora que se entrega ta conida, pues alertan
presencia de alimentoAlgo se lla estualiatlo sobre sisternas de comuniGorzula (1978) ha encontrado que tanto
caci6n en babas al natural,
son de
en fas qldndulas almizcleras
estas llamaalas, como secreclones
para mantener cohesi6n en ef grupo y como manera de
gran importancia
La efectividad
de estas lfanaClas
solicitar
ayuda (distress calls).
como se observ6 en varias ocasicnes
pueale afcanzar dinensiones
ins6litas,
(presunibfemente lma lreirbra),
en que una baba de aproximadamente 1,30 nts.
jaulas,
durante
la noche, atendienalo
salia de la laguna cercana a 1as
un sonido
al llanrado de tos babitos enjaulaatos, y comenzaba a producir
cuando Ios babltos oian esta llamada, aumentaban su algarabia
similar.
de las jaulas
y hacian esfuerzos desesperados por salir
comunicativa
forma.lEspues
escapar
de
esta
paredes,
babas
lograron
cinco
saltando
las
ate esto fue necesario tomar mealidas para auyentar a la baba grande.
e1 nuevo perioalo
se observ6 cuanalo se reinici6
otro hecho interesante
(mayo
a
escapar de las
babas
comenzaron
de
1984),
muchas
de lluvias
y
sefras
ale querer hacerfo
sin
haber
daalo
incontrolada
de
manera
Jaulas
de este hecho seria que
explicaci6n
Una posible
en meses anterioresque precisamente se
migratorios,
1as babas atendian a sus instintos
y
desesperados
hacian
esfuerzos
ale
lluvia,
alesencadenan en las dpocas
por escapar de las jaulas.
ya que
de comportaniento
sobre observaciones
m6s estudios
Se necesitan
y
a la hora de disefiar los zoocriaderos
puealen ser de gran utilidad
las t6cnicas de alimentacion,
mantenimiento, etcEl sistema de marcaje
Discusi6n
sobre metodologia y fuentes de error:
de
escamas durante los
y
ttil
no
hubo
regeneraci6n
bastante
usado fue
Las fuentes de error a la hora de hacer las fi€dicicnes
meses de trabajo.
eran pocas, en generaf se resumian a1 hecho de que el peso Ce una baba
al momento de medirse si habian comido lracia
podia ser muy distinto
fue
que puede haber afectaalo a 1os tratamientos
poco o no.
Un factor
el uso de babas de reemPlazo.
En total
se pudieron capturar
sifvestres:
en condiciones
crecimiento
12 babas d'rrante los meses de muestreo nocturno en la laguna qrande
se presume que la
del hato, de las cuales, s6lo dos estaban marcadas,
que
de
no se conto
adeniis
debe haber sialo sumamente alta,
riortalidad
una tasa
Se
calcul6
para
muestreo.
hacer
buen
un
con mealios adecuados
y
resuldieron
(en
para
babas
marcadas
y
las
alos
LT
P)
crecimiento
de
'lambi6n se cafcuf6 una
taalos nuy parecialos (1,8 cm,/mes y I gr,/nes) '
LT-P con las 12 babas capturaalas, obteniendose:
lineal
regresi6n
p = 9,34LT
r = 0,c8
210
{12 puntos)
'72
E1 crecirniento
e:1 condiciones
silvestres
ha slato estualiado por otros
autores (Staton y Dixon, 1975; Gorzula, 1978; Ayarzaguena/ 1980),
y
en general no se han obtenido valores demasiado diferentes
a los obtenidos aqui (a pesar de ser una nuestra bastante pequeffa).
Al
comparar los resultados
obtenidos con los de 1as babas nantenidas en
cautivelio
saltan a la vista tres hechos impoitantes:
La ta6a de crecimiento
en L? para las babas crecidas
al natural,
es mayor que la media global para las babas mantenidas en cautiverio,
pero es bastante meDor que las tasas en fos tratamientos
donale hubo
mEximo crecimieDto.
La tasa ale crecimlento
en P para fas babas al natural
es menor que
Ia media para 1as babas mantenidas en cautiverio.
La relaci6n
P-LT es mucho meDor para fas babas crecitlas a1 natural.
A pesar de que el nrimer:o ile babas capturaalas fue bastante bajo, si
basta para generalizar
que las babas crecidas
en la naturaleza
tienden
e ser "Iargas y ffacas",
o 10 que es Io mismo, las babas manteniiias en
cautiverio
tienden a engordar miis relativamente.
Este efecto puede ser
debido a que las babas que crecian en cautiverio,
por tener poca acti(no tienen necesidad de moverse Dara Drocurarse el
vidad locomotiva
alimento),
tienden a acumular mis calorias
en los tejlaos.
Resultaalos
similares
se han encontrado en Aligatores
inantenialos en cautiverio,
los cuales tienden a pesar 10|t mi{s que Afigatores
de la misma longitud,
(Coulson et al, 1973, ,foanen y Mc Nease, 19?6t
crecidos en fa naturaleza
Mc Nease y JoaDen, 1981).
tstos resultaalos pueden ser sumamente positivos en tdrminos econ6nicos,
de mantenerse este fen6meno.
Aunque no se hayan obtenido diferencias
muy notables en cuanto af
crecimieento
e. longituil,
y aI natural,
en cautiverio,
es posible que
este efecto resulte
mes aparente despuds del segundo a6o aie crecimientoSe requiere
miis experimentaci6n
al respectoAn6lisis
de aspectos econ6micos:
En esta secci6n no se atiscutira
sobre
gastos ale infraestructura
etc).
sino solanente
, (jau1as. personal,
gastos de alinentaci6n.
El
qasto
por
alimento
Alirnento
rr^rina
alurante cinco
Kg.
zla ^>rha
w
hr'-c^
(bofe)
visceras
conchas de moluscos
1rn
265
10
a^c+^
h^F
.nim5l.
Dieta
Dieta
de harina ale carne y hueso
de carne-pescado-calcio
meses fue e1 siouiente:
(Bs-)
costo total
2
6
4
240
1.680
40
Bs/mes
48
344
Bs,/anifila1/mes
0,63
A simple vista
se puede deducir que la dieta de harina resufta
mucho
miis econ6micaSi a esto sunanos eI hecho ale que esta harina prdbablsetrte
estd produciendo nejor crecimiento
y que es un alimento de fecif
mantenimiento y transporte,
que es esta 1a dieta miis
resulta
en alefinitiva
recomenalable hasta los nomentos.
Habria que ver en futuros
estudios
si
no se presentan probfemas por aplicar monodieta por tiempo prolongado.
a mealida que
fue aumentanilo progresivalnente
El gasto por alinento
ya
que
de
alimento
consumido es
la
cantialad
los meses,
transcurrian
proporcional
En Aligatores
han encontrado que
al peso def anirnal.
consumen entre 10 y 252 ae su peso/senana (Joanen y Mc Ncase, 19?7,
entre 40 y 50t de1 alimento
Mc Nease y Joanen/ 1981) y convierten
(peso
En este
seco) en tejido,
segdn el tipo de dieta.
consunialo
(peso de alimento
consunido/
no se pualo calcular
]a coDversl6n
estudio
de alinento
pe6o ale anihal ganado) debido a que no se llev6 control
y alimento dejaalo.
Este dato es ale suma inportancla
suninistrado
para cualquier
estudio econ6nico ( costo^ene fi ci o) y por lo tanto
probando
futuros
de este tipo,
se recomienda que se hagan estudios
con distintas
dietas y mezclas de dietasa
Fs obvio que los costos de manutencidn aunentan exponencialmente
medida que crecen las babas, ya que el peso tambi6n aumenta expcrFhla nBnlltenciin
rentable
ciafmente.
Algunos modelos estiman que resulta
de 1a baba hasta tres afios (D'Andria, 1980), pero debeen cautiverio
esta afirmaci6nrdn hacerse nds estudios para reforzar
conclusiones
-La variable
alensidaal,
de control
conclusiones
sobre el crecimiento:
e1 crec imiento. s iendo este mayor, a menores
afecta definitivamente
densialaales.
La densidad ideal seria 1a miixina alensiilaal que se pueale
Se estima que esta
afectado e1 crecimientonantener sin resultar
densialad debe ser menor o iqual a 12,5 inclivialuos/m2 (0'08-mz/indiv')
-La variable
de control
para babas en sus prineros
meses de vidamas
probablemente est6 afectando eI crecimiento.
Se requlere
dieta,
-FI Indxino
y probar con distintos
tipos de dietas.
exper'inentaci6n
crecimiento
se alcanz6 con babas alimentaalas con harina de carne y
-Pactores que realuzcan
d
e
nsidad baja (0,08 m2lindividuo).
huesos, a
(ejn: varias
y
fuentes de alinento,
la varianza en el crecimiento
positivos
para el creciresultan
babas ale un mismo nialo por jaula),
-Las tasas de crecimiento meximas (2,? y 3,0
miento en cautiverio.
para un
relativamente
aftas y parecen alentadoras
cm,/mes) resultaron
-Las babas crecialas en cautiverio
pfan de explotaci6n
en cautiverio.
dada) que
las
tienden a engordar miis (mayor peso para una longitud
-Existe
ale estiramiento"
un "factor
babas crecidas
al natural.
que
(increnento
durante los prlmeros 15 dias de viala,
en longitud)
puede estar presente o no.
Eubo reducci6n en las tasas ale creciniento
-El
natural.
debido a estivaci6n
durante 1os neses secos, posiblemente
nortalidad
e
individuos
porcentaje
de mortalidad
fue de 8%. El % de
y nulo en fas alensifue mayor en tas densidades altas,
subafimentados
dades bajas.
-La dieta a base de insectos
no se
conclusiones
sobre alimentacl6n:
puede mantener durante todo el afro, en todo caso se podria usar como
_El alinrento
cornplemento de otras dietas alurante los meses lluviosos.
durante
sus prineros
para
babas
alimentar
no es itil
comercial Perrarina
peces
-Las
frescos,Y
de
baba,
de
res,
visceras
de
vida.
visceras
meses
harina ile carne y hueso tienen buena aceptaci6n por parte de las babas.
-un
-Ias babas probablemente rechazan la carne que ba sido salaala.
buena
de
moluscos
tiene
de
conchas
en forma
complemento de calcio
(incluYendo quizils congdni tos )pueden
-factores
desconocidos
aceptaci6nen caut!
gue algunas babas se ba1len renuentes a alimentarse
determinar
(ejm:
-Tactores
comunicaci6n)
agtesivialaal,
comportanentafes
verio.
alel alimento
determinan patrones en la distribuci6n
en cuenta a fa hora de alisefiar los zoocriaderos.
y deberen tomarse
-La dieta de harina de carne y
Conclusiones de aspectos econ6micos:
ya que se pueden mantener
hueso parece ser la mds adecuada y rentabfe,
anihales a 0,63 Bslmes durante los primeros meses, y es de fecil
-De mantener ]as tasas de crecimiento
mantenimlento y transporte.
obtenidas,
se cree que se pueden mantener babas en cautiverio
durante
dos o tres afros, a bajo costo.
Se requiere
n6s experinentaci6n
a1
-usar
Algunas recomenalaciones para la inplantaci6n
de zoocriaderos:
provenlentes
densidades bajas- -"ratar
de poner indivitluos
de un mismo
y reagrupar en atencl6n
nido por jaula para realucir la variabilialad,
al tamafio cada cierto
tiempo. -Alimentar
a las babas cada dos alias, y
-Alinentar
fuentes de alimento por jaula.
a las babas con
usar varias
pescado fresco,.o
de res. o ale babas beneficiaalas,
harina de
visceras
carde y hueso? y usar conchas de moluscos como complemento ale calcio
-Usar carne y pescado refrigeraalo,
e insectos
durante los meses lluviosos.
no salaalo. -Picar
1os trozos de carne y pescado 1o miis fino poslble.
-Tener una fuente continua ile pescaalo (ejm: cultivo
-ljsar
de cachamas) .
(ejm: pescado con harina de carne y hueso) (evitar
mezclas de dietas
-Para e1 diseffo de las jaulas,
y altas
monodietas).
usar pareales lisas
lh;c
Aa
r
c
n+
A4
,r
+r,rrl
Proposici6n
de modelos de explotaci6n:
Lo primero que hay que aleterque se alesea usar:
minar es el tipo ale estrategia
a) Mantener pocos
indiviiluos,
bien afimentados,
a altas tasas de crecimiento
en cauti\rerio.
b) Mantener muclos individuos
en cautiverio,
sin impportar que el
sea igual o menor que en la naturaleza,
con tal ale ellminar
crecimiento
Ia a.Lta mortalidad de] primer a:o.
(espacio, capital,
si se dispone de suflciente
fuentes
infraestructura
se podria seleccionar
la alternativa
a) ,y mantener pocas
de afimento),
(ejm. en tres
o muchas babas hasta que alcanzaranun
tanaffo conercial
cada aio se podria recoqer un nuevo
stock de huevos, o hasta
afros)se podria probar la reproducci6n
en cautiverio
mediante inseminaci6n
artificiaL
etc.
Se podria inplenentar
una procesadora de carnes y
cueros y alimentar
a las babas nantenidas en jauras con los desechos
de1 beneficio
de Ias babas.
como fuente adicionat
se podria disponer
que daria miis indeEsta seria fa alternativa
ale cuftivos
de cachamas.
pendencia de 1a naturalezasi se dispone de poco capital
o espacio
para 1os zoocriaderos,
y en cambio se tienen cuerpos de agua naturales
(ejm: tapas recientes) , se podria seleccionar
o artificiafes
la alternativa b), y mantener las babas por solo un afio/ para fueqp soltarlas,
y tener suficientes
babas para cosechar de Ia naturaleza
cuando alcancen
se repetiria
un buen tdmdio.
el ciclo todos los ahos sin peligro de
y mezclas entre
agotar el recurso.
Existen infinidad
de variantes
modelos.
Se espera que futuros
experimentos aporten miis datos ritiles
para acercarse cada vez miis a un modelo de explotaci5n
de babas en
que sea factible
cautiverio,
de realizarpara futuros
Estudiar
los efectos ale
sugerencias
temas de estudio:
distintas
dietas y mezclas de ellas en eI crecimiento (ejm: carne,peces.
harinas de carne y lruesos y de pescado) - Probar si se pueden usar
y secados al sol, pala alilrFrrtar
capturados alurante ef invierno,
insectos
Buscar la alensidad "ialea1",
a fas babas durante fos meses secosmediante ensayo y error,
o extrapolaci6nEstudiar
el efecto de la
del alimento en eI creciniento.
distribuci6n
Estualiar el comportapor niis ale un afio en conaliciones de
Estualiar ef crecimiento
tniento.
Estudiar
cautiverio
controlaalo.
los cambios hormonales.
EstuCliar
Ia conversi6n de alimentos y contenialos nutricionafes.
Estudios
econ6micos ( costo/benefi cio) por tamafios de babasBiblioqrafta
Alvarez
de1 Toro,
M. 1974.
Los Crocodyfia
de M6xico-
IMERNAR.Iv€xico.
Ecologia del cairn{n Ce Antecjos o Baba (cainEn
Ayarzaguena, J- 1980.
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L-) en tos Llanos de Apure, VenezuelaManuscrito,
Tesis para optar aI grado de Doctor en ciencias
Biof6qicas.
Universidad
complutense de Madrid: 1-215Blohm, T. 1973.
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de criar
Crocodilialos
en Venezue:l.a con
su extinci6n.
sinposio
fines econ6micos y para prevenir
Intery Pesca lluvial
y Lacustre A'nazd
sobre Fauna Silvestre
nacional
nica- Manaos, Brasil32 ppBotbwell,
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D. 1962.
The qreat outdoor book of Alligators.
outdoor Publishing
co. St. Petersburg,
Fla.
coulson,
the
T,. coulson, R., Herndndez, T, 19?3. Some observations
growth of captive alligators.
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5A.47-52-
chabreck, R. 1967.
Alligator
rarming HintsCorun., New Orleans.
lrimeoqrafia.
La- Wild
l,ife
on
analFistEries
Chabreck, R. y Joanen, T. 1979. crowth
rates of American Alligators
in Louisiana.
Herpetologica,
35 (1) 1979, 51-57.
chirivi
callego, R.H. 1973. contribucr6n al conocimiento de ta Babilla
con notas sobre su manejo y
o Yacard Tinga {cairan crocodilus)
simposiun Tntern.
otras especies de crocodilya Neotropicalesy Pesca fluvial
y lacustre.
Manaus, Brasil.
sobre launa sifvestre
de u'r modelo rnatemiitico sobre la
D'Analria, B. 1980.
Estructuraci6n
ale la Baba (caiman crocoalilus)
con rniras a su
dindmica poblacional
posible explotaci6n
Trabajo especial
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149 pp.
dad Sim6n Bolivar,
Dowling, H- y Brazaitis,
P. 1954.
Tnt. Zoo. \B- 6. 265-27O
Size
study
s- 19?8An ecofogical
corzula,
savanna lagoons in the venezuelan
21-34 -
anal Groltth
cf
in
captive
crooodilians,
caiman crocodifus
inhabiting
oecologia
35 (1) :
Guayana.
Propagatlon
of the American alligator
Joanen, T. y Mc Nease, L- 1971.
in captivity.
Ploc. Southeastern Assoc.Game and Fish c<missicners
conf.25:106-116,toanen, T. y Mc Nease, L. 1976.
culture
of inmature American alligators
Soc.
environmental
Proc- world Mariculture
in controlled
cbanbers.
7' 241-2II.
eggs
incubation of Alligator
Joanen, T. y Mc Nease/ L. 1977. Artificial
chanbers.
environnental
and post hatching culti1re in controlled
Proc. world mariculture
Soc. 8: 483-489.
Mc Nease, L. y Joanen, T- 1981. Nutrition
Gainesville,
Production
cooference.
of AlligatorsFlorida.
Alliqator
MARNR (Ministerio
de1 Ambiente y de ]os Recursos Naturales Reno€bfes).
1982- Aprovechamiento racioiral
aie ta Baba o Babo, Caiman
crocodifus L- FoIteto.
t4 ppPacho!r-,, E.,1982.Algunos aspectos relativos
a Ia conservaclon
y
Manejo de los Crocodylia
en Colombia.
INDERENA. Documento
presentado ante el II
Curso sobre la iDvestigaci6n,
nanelo
y conservaci6n
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ate la Baba en tos
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Ronero, R. 1984.
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bidticas
y abi6i:icas
alel_nido de fa Baba, Caiman crocodilus.
con Ia finalidad
de
evaluar fa factibilidad
ae una incutact6n
nr:hrt^
artificial
EspeciGl ale crado.
Universidad
Sim6n BolivarSeijas,
A. E. y Ramos. S. l9B0Caracterizaci6n
de la dieta ale Ia Baba,
qaiman crocodiius,
durante la estaci6n
seca en Ias sabanas moalu_
Iadas de1 Estado Apure, venezuela.
Acta. Bio].
Venez. 10 (4):
3?3,389-
Staton.
M. y Dixon, J. 1975.
Studies on the dry season biology
of
caiman crocodifus
clgglg:fus
from the venazuelan Ltanos. l4em.
s o c . c i e n c , N a t . L a S a t l e . 3 5 ( \ O t ) - . 2 3 ' t_ 2 6 6 .
Staton,
M- y Dixon J- 197?.
Breettinq-inBiology-izenezue
of the Spectacled Caiman
(caimarl crocodilus
crocoditus)
rhe
I
i i.n". . u.s.
Fish & wi]diIS e r v . W i t d t . R e s . R e p - ( 5 ) : 1 _ 2""'
1.
Staton,
M. 1975. Notes on
The eaology
young Babas
of
(C.aiman crocodilus)
from the Venezuefan Llanos.
rI Seninario
sobre Chiguires y BabasMaracay.
Venezuela.
17 pp.
Vanzolinl,
O. y cones, N. l9?9.
Notes on t}Ie Ecofogy
Amazonian Cainans {Crocodytia,
Attiqatoridae).
ae Zoal-. 32 111): 205-216.
Sao pauio, grasil-
anal crowth of
papeis Avulsos
Fiouras
1.
crefica
miento
2-
crdfica
de crecimiento
miento 6.
(p,/edad) hasta
cinco
3.
crdfica
de crecimiento
cinco meses.
(rTledad)
la baba que mds crecro
4.
cr:ifica
de crecimjento
cinco meses -
ipledad)
de crecimiento
{LT,/edad) }asta cinco meses, para ef trata_
(Irarina de carhc y h-,jesos, densidad baja):
6-
para
para
meses, para
et
la baba que mds crecro
trata_
en
en
71
Fig. 1.
5
e
9
&E
T iqnpo(dias)
Fio
I ro,
)a .
--r - , i- --'' i.-.--'t
. ..]. r, ,.',.'-i''.'........
..;.:.:........1............i.............i...
__ r
....i-'.
...--...i.....-.......r...-...
i
-....-.....r.-..........i.
l-'.
| ---i-..-.'': --i ---, . -. -+ +- -- ----' -+- -i -_-- '--i- ' ' i -. --. -. _- -: '-. ' : - - -. -i i--''''.. i. .
---i ---l--
--- j----]
-r'- --i
i
...j
- i - . i.....
I ' - - - : . -.....i.....
i - - - i ...1
--i
i---- i
---..i..----i
--!
............i............t............t.............;............i.
a.. -l----:.- --i- --i
...-.--i-:::::::::i:::...::...i...:.:::.....j.......:..:.....
......j..... -:..;--l:;+-....i
....1.
-
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:
8
E
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.. i.
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!'--- i..- ' --l.r' ''-_
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'i
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i
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i.'
1_
---i-
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i'_
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i
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:
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135 150
(dids)
Tiempo
78
Frg.3.
5
F
ao
9
Ftg. 4.
!9
79
DEL
UN CASO DE CAOUXXIA EN UNA BABA (93d83,4 9899d]-ljlq)
ZOOLOGICO LAS DELICIAS DE }'ARACAY, ESTADO ARAGUA, VENEZUEI,A
E. O. BOEDE
zool6gico Las Delicias
Nacional de Parques
Instituto
Las De fi cias -Maracay ,Fstado Aragua
M. E. PARBAGA
Dr. Rafael Cabello
Hospital
Veterinario
Facuftad de ciencias veterinarias
ale venezuela
central
universidad
E1 Lim6n - Estado Aragua
N. SANCHEZ DE BOEDE
Facultad de Ci encias veterinarias
central
de venezuela
Universidad
El Lim6n - Estado Aragua
N. MEDINA DE LOPEZ
veterrnarras
ce Investigaciones
Instituto
- Maracay
FoNAIAP, Tas Delicjas
I].
CASTAANO
de Investigaciones
Instituto
FONATAP, Las Delicias
veterinarias
- Maracay
80
SUMMARI
With the cL'jecLive
of contributirrg
to the devefopmeDt of
diagnostic
nethods for use in the clinical
treatment
of
crocodlliales
kept in captivity,
a study was macle of a 15-year
ofal male kept with eight others in an exhibition
pen in the
zoo.
Data fiefe collecteal on the animal,s clinical
history
and examination, ard blood samples taken for henaLological
studies.
ln oraler to establish
henatologial
reference
standards,
blood samples lrere also taken from the eight other
animals.
Clinical
exafidnation of the affected
animal showed
lethargy,
lesions
in different
parts of the body and signs of
dehydration.
Blood analysis showed leucopenia (11 x 103,/ul;
baseline
values:
12-31x103/ut)
a,j" to a lymphopenia l2xtj3/vft
baseline values: 4-16x103/uI) and eosinopenia (O.1xtO3/urt
baseline values: 0.6-2x103lu1).
Hemogfobin over the superior
baseline value (10 gmldl; baseline values: 6.5-9'8 qmldl) r VGM
a n d H G Ms l i g h t l y
raised (VGM: 475 fl, baseline values: 299-362
ff; HGM: 144 pg., baseline values: 83-115 pg) . The aninral was
slaughtered
and the fotlowing
results
found on post-morten
examination:
hydropericard
and gastrolithsAs nicroscopj.c
findings:
Hialinization
of the cardiac miofibrilles
anal fatty
pseualomona aeruoinosa was isofated
degeneration
of the liver.
from heart,
liver
lunq and kialney tissues.
An attempt to
isolate
leptospires
from the kidney gave neqative resultsNegative results
were also obtained fron tesi for gastrointestinal
and blood parasitesA1I these findlngs
took us to the diagnostic
ofcacbexia
from inanition,
due to hierarchy
and territor:iality
probfems bet\,{een the caimans.
ct
lntroaluccion
en general,
irracional
a nivel nuntlial de los crocodilidos
La explotaci6n
por Io que en ta
de extinci6n
a muchas especies,
ha llevado a peligro
que influYen
los factores
se hacen esfuerzo por balancear
actualidad
Hoy en dia las babas (caiman crocoditus)
sobre su aliniirnica poblacionafabundan en afgunas zonas de Venezuela y en otlas alonde anteriormente
(seijas,
conunicaci6n trErsctl€-I,
extinguida
habitaban ba sido parcialmente
19e4).
que se llevan a cabo actualmente en varios paises consisten
Los trabajos
un
en cautiverio.
reintroalucienalo
crocodifidos
nayorrnente en reproducir
porcentaje
en zonas protegidas
de las crias al estado silvestre
cierto
reservas de fauna y haciendas conservacioni stas .
como parques nacionafes,
para la explotaci6n
de su
otro porcentaje
de estas crias se utilizan
cuero y carne,
EI manter,er animales de estas especies baio sistema ale explotaci6n
que aleben ser
acarrea problemas sanitarios
extensivos
e intensivos,
y
estudiados para poder tomar las adecuadas nealidas profilScticas
y reproatuccicnsu 6ptino
crecimiento
saludables,
logrando
mantener animafes
de establecer
un sistema que
en priner
fugar ale tratar
con Ia finalidad
y en segundo
de enfermedades en estas especies,
facilite
e1 diagn6stico
y patof6gicos
de crocodilidos
mantenidos
datos clinicos
lugar lecopilar
se efectu6 un estudio de la poblaci6n de
en condiciones
de cautiverio,
9 babas del zool6gico de Las De-ticias en r{aracay.
Materiafes
v M6todos
de aproximadamente 15 afios de edad,
Animales:
Una baba (c- crocodilus)
Paralelamente,
fue evaluaala clinicanente.
macho, co!1 signos de caqudxia,
(5
y
5
hembras
3
nachos
afros) que
normales
8 animales clinicamente
cohabitaban en ef mistro ambiente fueron considerados como controles3 veces por semana nna vez aI dia con
Dieta:
I-as babas son alimentadas
y carne de burro picada.
Debialo a
pollo
picado
crualo
ratones blancos/
problemas de jerarquia
]a comiala es colocada en
entre los aninales,
forma dispersa en una zona del estanqueEl iirea de exhibici6n
ocupada por las babas consta de un
ambiente:
de 58.32 m2., con 0'35 m. de profundiclad v
estanque con una superficie
l,a zona de tierra
con una capacidad aproximada de 20 m3. de aguacon dreas soleadas
firme es de aproxinaalamente 96-48 m2. de superficie
y parcialmente
sombreadas.
durante
ale 1os datos se reali26
La recolecci6n
condiciones
clim.iticas:
24-6ocd
e
l
a
z
o
n
a
e
s
d
e
L
a
t
e
m
p
e
r
a
t
u
r
a
n
e
d
i
a
d
e
1
9
8
4
.
ef mes Ce abril
La baba con signos ale caqu6xia se 1e
Evaluaci6n del animal problema:
y fue posteriormente
eximenes
hematol6gicos
practic6
un examen clinico,
bacteriol6gicos
Se realizaron
ex:imenes histopatol6gicos,
;acrificada.
82
Hematologia:
La recoleccidn
de
sangre
en eI
a n i m a-ioiil
enfern6
despuds det degoflamiento, conservii;dose ." t"r."
sF hF..r-i-.i
iir'"""i., i".-:n:l
Becton-Di cki nson, Rutherford,
previo al alegollamiento se efectuaron
NJ).
varios intentos
ale recolectar
la muestra por venipunctura
de ]os vasos
caudales.
vena yuguta!,
arterra
car6tida
y por punci6n caraliaca, tos
cuales resultaroh
infructuosos.
AI resto de loi animales (n_8 controles)
se 1es recolect6
sangre pol amputaci6n de ta porci6n distal
de uno de
los dedos de cualquiera
ale los c\ratro miembros, a nivet ale 1a uni6n de
1a falange terlninal
y ta ufra (Erye, Ig77l,
seguido de un masaje por espacio
de 3 a 5 min.
Se utifiz6
este mdtodo por su seme;anza con et utilizado
en 1a baba problema (traumiltico),
ademiis de ser s6ncillo
y practico.
Esto
fue reafizado
con la finalidad
de establecer
valores contioles
ile
referencia.
I'rotis:
fa tinci6n
ate los extenalidos ale sangre se realiz6
con colorante
de Wriqht.,
Contaje celutar:
primeramente Je realiz6
un
contaje total
de c61u1as nucleadas (eritlocilos,
Ieucocitos,
plaquetas y
celulas no identificables
o nrlcleos tibres)
utilizanato
fa mc*61^di.
previamentedescrira (schalmdr al, 1e7ai ;.;;-;t-;;;i.J;
blancos
fli!i-e'!-qrau"ro=
con el diluyente
de TruckLa difuci6n
empleaai fue ate 1:100.
EI contaje diferencial
(porcentaje)
retativo
de cdiulas nucleadas (eritrocito6,
leucocitos,
ptaquetas,
c6tulas no identificables
o nicleos
tibies)
se
realizo
a travds del frotis
te6ido,
para to cual se contaron un totaf
ale
600 c61u1as-- El mismo principio
fue utitizaalo
para establecerel
diferencial
relativo
(neutr6filos,
de leucocitos
linfocitos,
monocitos, eosin6fif;s;
heter6filos
y bas6filos)
con la excepci6n de haber sido consideradas
solo
ruU ce Lulas.
Los valores absol\rtos de cada total
de cdlulas nucleadas al
igual que cada total
de tos aliversos tjpos de ]eucocitos,
fueron posterior_
mente calculados
en funci6n de los respectivos
valores relarrvosEl volumen globular
medio (VGM), la henoglobina
gtobular
media (HGM) y
Ia concentraci6n
de hemoglobina globular
media (aHGM) fueron catculados
como previamente se ha descrito
(schalm et a1, 1975).
Para Ia determinaci6n
de ta }emoglobina
se utiliz6
irD kit
et
basa en e1 n6todo de 1a ci anonetahemoglob jna - Et hematocrito
por e1 m6todo de mi crohenatocri ro (Schatm et at. 1975).
cual se
se determi6
El frotis
sanguineo fue evatuaalo para evidenciar
hemopariisitos.
La baba
enferma se sacrific6
mediante desangrado por deqollamiento.Se efectu6
1a evaluacl6n
macrosc6pica de tos 6iganos de la caviatad toraco-abdomin al .
Para los- exiimenes histopatol6gicos
se tomaron muestras de coraz6n,putm6n,
rifron e higado y se conservaron en formol (102) - Tambidn se tomaron
muestras
ale los
6rganos previamente
nombraalos para estudios
bacteriol6cricEs,
Ios cuales se efectuaron
siquiendo una metodologia
de aislamiento
de
germenes aerobicos exclusivamente.
Las muestras se procesaron de acuerdo
a metodos standards previamente descritos
(Kinq, 19?2) - para el aisla_
miento de Laptospira del rin6n se efectu6 cultivo en medio ale FfetcherEl cultivo
fue incubado a loc" durante 6 semanas ]uego ate tas cuales se
inocularon
hamsters por via i ntraperi toneal . AI cabo de 20 dias se
sembraron fos rifrones de los hamsters en me(lio de Fletcher.
Los cuttivos
se observaron periodicamente
por espacio ale seis semanas.
Parasltologia:
E1 contenido intestinat
fue sometialo a un tavado en un
tamiz Ne 100. con la finafidaat
de visualizar
pariisitos
aalultos en el
tamizado (microscopio
estereosc6pi co) , (Unitest
systen, Bio_Dynamics,
Indianapolis,
Inaliana - Stanatard Test-Sieve,
ASTM 1t-70) - (Motales y pinto,
83
para la observaci6n
ale
1977), ademes se efectu6 un examen de Willis
huevos ale pardsitos.
Se hizo un frotis
de1 raspaalo de la nucuosa
para poner en evidencia
posibles
pariisitos
intestinal
adheridos a ellay parasitol6qlcos
his topatol6qi cos , microbiol6gicos
fueron
Los estudios
(FONAIAP,
en el Tnstituto
de lnvestigaciones
Veterinarias
reali?ados
y .ria,
CENIAP, lrinisterro
de lqrrcultura
Ivara.ay).
Resultados
y Examen clinicos:
I,a baba problema present6:
letargia,
llistoria
p6rdida de peso, heridas en eI hocico y cueIIo,
anorexia,
adem:is signos
La
de deshidratacidn
como fueron escanas secas y ojos hundidos.
que aI animal
temperatura
corporal
fue de 34.5oC. Fs necesario seialar
Ie faltaban
varias
falanges en algunos de sus miembros, desde su lleqada
al zool6gico hace t2 affosLa temperatura promedio de las babas con(rango 33.6-34.o'..).
troles fue de 33.8'c.
Hematologia:
l,os valores hematol6gicos
controles
obteriidos en este
se presentan en 1a Tabla I conjuntamente con fos ale la baba
trabajo
para cada pariimetro fueron
enferma.
Los promedios y rangos controles
establecidos
utilizando
siete babas clinicamente
normales de las 8 inicialmente consialeradas, debido a que una de ellas presentd her€tozoariosI,os valores henatol6qicos
hallados
en e1 anlmal enfermo revelaron:
(disminuci6n
leucopenia
de leucocitos)
alebiala a una moderada linfopenia
(disminuci6n
(dlsminuci6n
y a una Foderada eosinopenia
de linfocitos)
de eosin6filos)t
hemoqlobina por encima
del valor superior
del ranqo
VGM y HGM ligeranente
aumentadas.
El frotis
result6
negativo a hemopa16sltos.
Histopatologia:
como hallazgos
macrosc6picos post-mortem se observ6:
de color achocolatado,
adends de gastrocontenido liquido
rnal oliente,
litos
en la camara anterior
del est6maqo, los cuales ocupaban una cuarta
que 1a apariencia
parte de la capacidad de1 mismo,
Es necesario seiafar
Los cuerpos extrafros
macrosc6pica de ta mucuosa estomacal era normaluna pequefra copa de pl?istico,
una
consistian
en:
un trozo de aluninio,
Ademiis se observ6 hidropericardio.
semilla
ale mam6n y varias piedras.
Los fnicos hallazgos
microsc6picos
signif icativos
f\reron degeneraci6n
qrasa def higado e hialinizaci6n
EI resto
de las miofibras
cardiacas.
presentaron
normalde las muestras de visceras
remitidas
una histologia
Bacteriologia:
Pseudomona aeruoihosa fue aislada de higado. coraz6n,
pulm6n y riff6n.
El intento
de
de aislamiento
de leptospira
a partir
rii6n
fue negativo.
de
Parasitoloqia:
Todos 1os procealimientos efectuados con e1 proposito
y/o huevos gastrointestinales
negaalieron resultados
observar paresitos
Discusi6n
que se perslgue abordar, existe
un
det caso clinico
lndependlentemente
preocupado (Tasker,
que aleberia seguir el clinico
minino de procedimentos
los errores
evitar
en retrospectiva
1976) . Esto tiene como finalidad
la base de alatos
De acuerdo a este punto de vista
conetialos por omisi6n.
exanen fisico y de laboratorio.
iniciales
debe incluir
historia
clinica,
En la exbibici6n
de babas en el ,,Zool6qico Las Deticias"
permanecian dos
machos adultos de aproximadamente el mismo tanafio, el macho problema de
(LT) con 30 kg, pv y eI macho dominante de 1-?5 m.
1.80 m- ale largo total
1,T con 35 kg. pv, conjuntamente con otros dos machos ale rnenot tamaio
(1 y 1.5 m LT) y cinco henbras (de un promedio de t-4 m. LT).
Entre
estos dos machos de mayor tamaffo existian
continuos enfrentamientos
quedando siempre en desventaja y herida la baba problema, esto ocutria
por la falta
de espacio suficiente
que huviese pernritido
la fuga de la
baba intimiClada.
Paulatinamente
esta uttima dej6 de entrar
at estanque,
llegando al extremo, dos meses antes de ser sacrificada,
ate l)ermanecer
en el mismo sitio
en una actitud
tet:irgj-ca
fuera de1 agua, sin alimentar_
se.
Ef otro maclro considerado por nosotros como el dominante se comportaba normalmente - En C. crocodilus,
en condiciones
silvestres
peleas sino intimidaciones
del macho alominante sobre los alemiis nachos,
los cuales pueden huir o sumergirse en eI aguaEn ocasiones el macho
alominante logra morderles la punta de la cola en la huidaEsto ocuffe
especialmebte
en 1a 6poca reproductlva
{Staton y Dixon, 197?).
seqin Blake (1974) una causa de pelea en crocodilus
niloticus
verio ocurre en el momento ale la alimentaci6n.
fsta causa es descartaala
como motivo de enfrentamento
en el grupo de babas estudiado,
ya que ef
alinento
se les suriinistra
esparcido en una zona deI estanque y nunca se
observaron peleas a Ia hora de Ia alimentaci6n.
La causa de entrenta
miento entre estos dos animales se debi6 a problemas de jerarquia
y
territorialidaal.
Una conducta simifar
por Joanen y Mc Nease
es descrita
(1979) en AulSelgr
ndssissipiensas en cautiverio,
donde exptican
lo inadecuado de mantener dos machos doninantes en un estanque.
En esta especie
fa mayor causa de mortaliCad
en cautiverio
son fas peleas.
que se sique en mamiferos no es
La metoalologia para el exanen fisico
vatedera en reptiles.
Er estas especjes ta obiervaci6n tiene mucha
importancia no asi la auscultacidn ni ]a persecusi6n (Fowler, 1980).
Las temperaturas
tonadas en los aninales
contioles
a una misma hora det
dia (11:00
12:00 b) oscilaron entre 33-6-34-o.c.
La baba enferna,
que permanecia fuera del agua a toda hora del dia, mostr6 una temperatura
0.5oc. por encina del valor superior del rango (34-5.C) - Staton y Dixon
(1975) reportaron temperaturas m:iximas de 33.c en c. crocodir,l<
r^hi.r:c
estds durErLF ra 6poca de."q"i"-"";l
ii.;;;";;';i.;:-;.;i
;;;i;;:
rio, wallach y Boever (1983) refieren
como tenperatura
corDoral miixima
6 p t i m a e n A . m _ ! € - g _ r _ E - : j _ p j _ e - ! , s i s ' yl q "ucn. a r e m p e i a t u r a a l L a ; r j t i c €
de
390c.
Fn los rFptLles se ha dicho qLre no pueden variar su tenperarura por mecanismos propios,
por 10 tanto no pueden proatucir fiebre
( Reichenbach_Klinke ,
197?) .
Este autor observ6 que en caso de malestares o infecciones
en
lagartos,
estos buscan sitios
con temperaturas
mis elevadas,
tratando
de
Iograr: un mejoramiento de su estado fisico.
En ef transcurso deI trabajo se utilizaron
varias t6cnicas para 1a
obtenci6n de sangre en animales mayores de 1 rn LTLa utilizaata
en ef
anlmal enfermo, el degollamiento,
no deja de ser una t6cnica
con muchas
desventajas:
l) con.Lleva el sa.riti.io
dFI cspec.imen: 2) imposibilita
como consecuencia el seguimiento de ]a enfermedad y la apreciaci6n
de
1a efectividad
del tratamiento
aplicado.
En nuestro caso fue necesario
usar este metodo en vista de que los intentos
por usar otras tdcnicas
como fueron:
Ia punci6n cardiaca,
de 1os vasos yugulares y arteria
carot i da, fueron infructuosos-
fa amputaci6n de la porci6n
Ef segunalo mdtoalo usado en el trabajo,
de fos nlenbros posteriores
distal
de uno de los Cledos de cualquiera
(Fowler. 1978r Frye, 1977).resu1t6 tener varias ventalas: 1) prdctico;
2) sencillor
3) requiele
un nrinimo manejo del animaf, considerando que
fos animales de este estudio superaban los 20 kg pv. Las alesventajas
son: l) por ocasionar trauma vascular
se proaucen artefactos
como son
camblos en la morfologia
normal de algunas c€lulas sanguineas y disminuci6n del nimero de plaquetas por activaci6n
de los procesos ale
2) obtenci6n ale pequefios volunenes de sangrer 3) afecta
coagufaci6nr
de sangre seriadaIa estdtica
de1 animal. sobre todo er1 extracciones
Frye (19?7) recomienda esta tdcnica para 1a obtehci6n ale sangre en
pequeios reptiles,
Iogriindose extraer
hasta 0.5 ml. de sangre. En eI
presente estudio obtuvimos hasta 1.0 nl. ale sangre.
como por
Es importante
sefralar que existen otras tdcnicas
niis indicadas
(babas Juveniles) r punci6n ale la vena yugular,
elemplo: punci6n cardiaca
cal6tlala y,/o vasos caudales (en aDinrales ale mayor tamaio) (Frye,
arteria
19??r corzula
1976). pudimos conrprobar que en animales nayores ale 20
kg pv. se necesitan
con miis de 2.5 pulagujas para anestesia epidural
gadas de longitud
y de calibre
20, que resistan
la penetraci6n
de la
piel. y Ia gran masa rTruscufar, para poder asi lograr
la punci6n de los
(Brazaitis
y watanabe, 1982) han
vasos caudales. Mas adn, algunos autores
para lograr una pronta canafizaci6n
de
reportaalo el uso de ultrasonialo
punciones y traumatismo
los vasos sanguineos? evitando asi repetidas
tisular.
de
trabajos
referidos
a valores hematol6gicos
Actualmente no existen
babas en cautiverio.
Se reali26
un intento
de establecer
valores
para conparax los obtenidos en la baba afectada
controfes
de referencia
motivo ale este trabajo.
es
ale aves y reptifes
E1 gran problema con que cuenta la hematologia
por los aliluyentes
que el nfcleo de los eritrocitos
no es destruido
1929; saint
de mamiferos (alain,
usaalos en el contaje ale ]eucocitos
pesar
que seialan el
existialo
1970)
a
de
esto
han
reportes
Girons,
en Ia hematoloqia
ale aves (Magath e Hiqqins,
uso de estos diluyentes
para tratar
de
realizados
1934) - ouizris uno de fos primeros intentos
numdrica
1928) fue establecer
una relaci6n
obviar este problema (Blain.
tefrido (ndtodo indirecto)
eritrocitos:
leucocitos
a trav6s alel frotis
de
del aliluyente adecuado (diluyente
Debido a la no disponibilidad
Shaw) (otis,
1964) y a la urgencia de procesar fa muestra de la baba
problema, nos 11ev6 a fa utilizaci6n
de diluyentes
de sangre ale
para la realizacidn
mdtodos inilirectos
maniferos y como consiguiente
que estos
de los contales
celulares.
Nosotros estamos conscientes
Es asi como por
rn€todos indirectos
cuentan con un gran margen de error.
(1934) seffalan un coeficiente
de
ejempfo Magath e Higgins
de variaci6n
un 19.6en
et mdtoatoinalirecto empleado para establecer el total de
que eI mdtodo mis exact.o para efcontaje
leucocitos.
Estii de rniis seialar
(Bfain.
L92at Q|uay,1974).
celular
en aves y reptiles
es e1 mdtodo directo
y,/o ambientales sobre fos
cliniiticas
La influencia
de tas variaciones
(Duquy, 19?0t
es muy controversial
valores henatol6gicos
de reptiles
a
ale
este
trabajo
ocurrio
al,
La
realizacl6n
Ramirez et
1975, 1978).
una misma hora del dia, alurante una misma 6poca del afro y en un
no
periodo corto de tiempo, por 10 que consideramos que estas variables
los resuftados.
afectaron
t6
Por otra parte algunos autores coinciden en sefialar que no existe
diferencia
significativa
en los valores hematol6qicos
estabteciatos entre
macbos y hembras en algunas especies de reptites
incfuyendo
al C- crocaditus
(Engbretson y Putchinson, lo?6; Ramirez et a], l.?8) - -La tabla-trepresenta
Ios datos combinados de 3 machos y 4 hembr:as (rangos controles) A1 conparar 1os resuftados
previamente establecidos
(Ramjrez et al, 19?8)
en animales no parasitados
de la misma especie con aquellos obtenialos en
el presente estudlo,
podemos seialar
que muchos de sus promealios se
encuentran dentro ale nuestros rangos controtes
(Tab1a T), tales como
(vcM, HCM, cHcM), nrimero de gl6butos rojos y btancos,
indlces
eritrociticos
hemoglobina y hematrocrito.
A diferencia,
el nrimero promealio de plaqr:etas
(machos 159.000/u1. lembras 164000/u1) se encuentra *irv po. ettcima o"r
valor superior
de nuestro ranqo.
Con respecto al diferencial
de blancos,
podemos decir que sofo se asemeja en 1os rangos porcentuales
de monocitos.
segmentados y bas6filos,
A diferencia
atel trabajo
de Ramirez et al (19?8)
en el presente estudio no se encontraron
formas j6venes de neutr6filosEn el contaje diferencia]
ale ]eucocitos
de este trabajo
se consideran tos
siguientes tipos cetulares:
linofocitos,
monocitos, neutr6fitos,
bas6fifos,
y heter6filoseosin6filos
Frye (19?g) ha sefralaalo esta clasificaci6n
como vdlida
en la henatologia
ale reptiles,
En ta actualidad
no existe
por ejemplo Sain cirons
una unidad de criterios
al respecto(19?0) no
considera en su cfasific€ci6n
y por el contrario
a tos heter6ficolos,
cita en su lugar al azur6filo.
(tfateo et al,19g4)
Feportes mds recienlei
sobre ef A- mississipiensis
concluyen que son 5 tos tipos celulares
ate Ia
serie blanca:
linfocitos,
monocitos, bas6filos,
y heter6eosin6filos
filos.
Esta {ltin'a
especie de crocoditidos
es quiziis de ta cuat se tiene
mayor informaci6n
(Duquy, 1970t Frye, 19?8)hematol6gica
De acuerdo a
valores henatol6giccs
previamente establecidos
para estos aninales,
tafes
parametros como hemoglobina (5-9-12.0 q/dt, Frye, 19?8), henatocrito
l2o-3o% - Frye, 19?8-), nimero +e slob;los
rojos (6.18-1a.9 x toslur
-Duguy, 1970; Frye, 1978; 3.84 I B-7 x 105/ut _Mateo
et aI. 1984), n(mero
(54.72 -Mateo et a], 1984) , son simitares
de heter6filos
a los establecidos
en el presente estudio.
Por e1 contrario datos referentes aI ndmero
tota] de globulos btancos (6.4-10-2 x 1\3/ur _rrye, 1978; 6-4 I 2.9 x
ru-,/ul -Mateo et aI, 1984), se encuentran por
debajo del vafor inferior
(Ver tabla T).
de nuestro rango.
El numero de g16bulos rojos,
el hematocrito
y la henoqlobina
de ta baba
enferma estuvo comprendido dentro def rongo control
(Tabla I) . Ctinicamente la baba present6 signos de deshidrataci6n
10 que nos conduce a
pensar la posibilidad
de una anemia Fnmascarada por una hemoconcentraci6n
La clarificaci6n
de este punto hubiese estado atada por una hilErproteineda
o por un incremento de la gravedad especifica
(Tasker, 1978)
de la orina
valores ambos con fos cuafes no contamos.
No encontramos una explicaci6n
al increnento
del VGI9y HGM. De haber
significado
este incremento una respuesta a una probable anemia ( y como
consecuencia aI aumento deI nrimero de fotnas j6venes de eritrocitos)
et
lncremento de1 VcM creemos que hubiese estado relacionado
con e1
d e c r e m e n l o d e l C B G M( s e a r c y , 1 9 7 6 ) .
Este ultimo valor resultd estar
comprendido dentro deI rango control-
87
.
]ABLA I
CONTROLES
MBA PROBLE},IA
RANGO
Hcr (5)
Hb (q/dr)
Plaquetas
cR (ccl x ro5/ur)
vcx (ft)
23-J3
6.5 - 9,8
2.200 - 20.140
7 - Il
299 - J62
HGM(pg)
CHCH(s/dI)
83 - lr5
cB (cel x lo3/ul)
12-ll
fEuT(cel x lo3/ul)
(s)
27-)4
o-2
o- 8
28
8.5
r0.620
9
321
98
JO
23
0.8
ll
IO
0
7
4t5
144
lo
l1
0.4
4
LINF (cel. x lol/ul)
(5)
tz-7J
47
l9
HoN.(cer x lo3/ul)
0-1
0.4
0
0- 5
I
0
0.6 - 2
I
o.1
(r)
Eos (cer x rol/ul)
4-
16
($)
rfT (cel x lol/ll)
(s)
845 (cel x rol/ul)
(s)
cel no ldent.
(cel x lol/ut)
ccl nuc totales
(cet x lol/ul)
5-r8
2t-64
o-2
0 - 1l
rl-55
740 - r.r45
2
ll
6
I
9
7
J9
70
0.7
I
4
II
-25
9tI
35
740
88
El valor absoluto en e1 aliferenciaf
de c31u1as blancas se ha venido
consideranalo durante firuchd tienpo en la nedicina
veterinaria
ale mayor
significacion
en la interpretaci6n
clinica
alel leucograma (Sctratm ;t
al, 19?5).
La baba afectada present6 en et hemogram; leucopenra
debido a una linfopenia
y a una eosinopenia
(Ver Tabla I).
La inter_
pretaci6n
previa alel leucograma se efectud en funci6n ale los vafores
absolutos - En mamiferos domdsticos,
y eosinoDenia
Iinfopenia
usuafmente son reftejos
de un stress sist6;ico
ae enfermeaaa (i. e.
corticoides
end6genos) (prasse y Duncan, 19?6) - En este caso henros
extrapolaalo datos existentes
en 1a interpretaci6n
clinica
det
leucograna
de mamiferos domdsticos a reptiles,
debido a que en la actualiatad
carecemos ale datos exclusivos
de esta especie.
Debemos tambi6n sefialar
que el leucograna no es un arma diaqn6stica
per-se.
Debe tratar
de
interpretaxse
(prasse y Duncen, 19?6) .
a Ia Iuz del examen clinico
como es bien sabido eh ef transcurso
(en este
de1 proceso ale coagutaci6n
caso generado por trauma vascufar producido por alegollamiento o por
reseccion de una porci6n de] dedo) 1as plaquetas
Juegan un papel
activo en la formaci6n del trombo conjuntamente
con algunos gl6bulos
(Harker,
blancos y fibrina
19?4) - Luego de aalherirse a la pared
vascular, las plaquetas liberan sustancias activas (i.e. ADp) que
tambi6n contrlbuyen
a la formaci6n de1 co6qulo hemostiitico
(Dodds, 19B0).
Es por estas razones que eI contaje ale plaquetas
reatizado
en el
presente estudio,
no es representativo
del ndmero de ptaquetas en sangre
circulante.
Ademiis es 16gico suponer que Ia morfologia
de las c6ttrta;
sanguineas se veria afectada en ef intento
de recolectar
sangre posterior
a la injuria
vascular,
aI ocurrir
su extravasaci6n
a trav6s de una red
constituida
por el tromboLa presencia ale un gran nimero de n,jcleos
y/o cdlulas no diferenciaalas
libres
constituyen
una alesventaja de los
mdtodos de recolecci6n
de mlrestra de sangre empleados.
como ha sido anotado por varios autores (scherpner, 1980; Fowter,1978;
Gorzula, comunicaci6n persona], 1984; Staton y Dixon, 1975) , ta presencia
ale piedras,
y palos es comrin hallazgo
semillas
en elevado porcentaJe de
autopsias
ale crocodilialos
en condicj.ares silvestr.es.
(cuerpos extraffos en el est6maqo) no ha
La funci6n ale los gastrolitos
sido arin dilusidada.
Gorzuta (comunicacidn personat, 1984) consjdera
que posiblemente
estos ayudan a triturar
1os atimentos mds aluros como
pequeios mamiferos y crust6ceos.
Gorzula (1978) seiala
una nayor
incidencia
de gastrolitos
en los animales que contenian en sus est6maqos
huesos, peces grandes y cangrejos,
que en aqueltos que presentaban restos
por et
ale alimentos mas blandos,
como renacuajos y pequefros anfibios.
contrario,
otros autores no est6n de acuerdo en sefralar esta funci6n,
ya que consideran que eI est6mago de los crocoalilidos
no se asemeja al
est6mago muscufar de las aves, debido a que su pared es distensible
y
no tiene revestimiento
interno
cuticular,
Dor lo tanto no Duede tener
funci6n abrasiva (fowler,
Io?8) . scherpener {1o80) consrdera que Ios
gastrolitos
brinalan estabilizaci6n
(1969t
en eI agua.
Igualmente Brazaitis
plantea el cambio en la gravedad especifica
causado por estos articulos
no digeribles,
permite a1 animal permanecer sumergido en eI fondo de
fuertes
corrientes
de aguaPor 1o tanto podemos seffalar que la presencia
de cuerpos extraffos en est6nago es definitivamente
cuestionable.
89
no ha podido ser establecida,
con algin proceso fisiol6gico
si 1a relaci6rl
pudiera correlacionarse
con pica o malasia,
1a presencia de gastrolitos
si los animales han pasado larqos periodos de inanicion,
especialnente
como en la 6poca Ce sequra'
se
en aninales en estado silvestre,
Lo que pualiera parecer fisiol6gico
(wallach
en animales en cautiverio
en un problema patol6gico
transforma
(gastrolitos)
encon'
y Boever, 1983) . Es asi como 1os objetos extraffos
alel
son reflejo
rnantenidos bajo estas condiciones,
trados en crocodilralos
pelotas,
monedas, botellas
contacto de estos aninales con eI hombre (i.e.
y que debido a su forma, tamafro o naterial
causan dafro aI
de vidrio),
diversas
s i ntomatologias , como
gas trointest
ina 1 , originando
tracto
y abultarniento
hasta la muertecorporal
desde regurgutaci6n,
no
de Ia baba autopsiaala en ef presente trabajo,
En el caso particular
patopuede afirmarse
que lo encontrado en e1 est6nago sea un hallazgo
16gico, en vista de que fa mucosa estomacal no rnostraba camblos macrosy su sintomatologia
con Ia encontrada en estos
no coincide
c6picos,
ale que 1a baba problema,
No podemos alescartar la posibilidad
casosextraffos,
debido
a que eI nacho dominante
ingerido
estos
cuerpos
haya
su libre
acceso af afitrentopor problemas de territorialidad
no permitia
de
hasta que se compruebe ]a base fisiol6gica
Esto no se podre rebatir
Ia ingeslr6n de cuerpos extrafros.
y microsmacrosc6picos de hidropericardio
histopatoldgicos
Los hallazgos
de las miofibras
c6picos de deqeneraci6n grasa del higado e hialinizaci6n
asociados a procesos de alesnutricion
cardiacas han sido previanente
(Jubb y (ennedy, 19?3) . con respecto a la degeneracion grasa, existen
y
ale tortugas
en autopsias
autores que la seialan como conUn hal]azqo
(K1os y Lang, 1c?6) .
lagartos,
no asi en otros reptiles
de rep!iles
erlfernos .omo en los
tarto
Pseudomonas SI han sido aisladas
clinicamente sanos {Beehfer y Sauro, 1983; KIos y Lang, 1976; wallach y
Boever, 1983). (Jacobson, 1980) anota el aislamiento de Pserjdomonas
a combates nac\o-Inacho
en hematomas atribuidos
asociada a Trichosporum,
produce una septicemia
con pocos
en los que esta bacteria
en lagartos,
Fntre esotos sefrala:
escamas henorr.tgicas,
discernibles.
siqnos clinicos
Ademits -axisten otros
antes de morir.
letargia,
anorexia y convulsiones
(
J
a
c
o
b
s
o
n
,
y
K
l
o
s
L
a
n
g
,
1
9
?
6
t
R
e
i
c
h
e
nbacb-Klinke ' 1911t
1
9
8
0
;
reportes
Wallach y Boever, 1983) que asocian las Pseualomonas con estomatitrs
ulcerosa, pneunonias y abcesos Fn varias Fs:ecies de reptlles.
de
Psaudonona aeruqirosa
En et caso de ]a baba problema se ]oqr6 aislar
pudiera ha'rer entr:ado
Esta bacteria
coraz6n, pu1m6n, rifi6n e hiqado.
por las heridas que presentaba el animal en varias partes del cuerpo/ y
(Duponte et a], 1978) a que estaba sometido, ccnsiguieron
debido al stress
a ]os 6rganos donde fue aisfada
pasar a la sanq!:e y de a]li
paulatinamente
en
patol6qico
ale su aislaniento
(Rei chenbach-K li nke , 1977) - Fl caracter
histopatoldqicos
que
hallazqos
ya
no
hubo
estos 6rganos es cuestionable,
que asi 10 evidencien,
actuan como resenloflo
han comprobaalo que namiferos silvest-res
Muchos estudios
Ferris et al,
(
c
a
r
r
i
l
l
o
a
l
,
1
9
6
1
,
c
l
a
r
k
e
t
1
9
?
2
:
et al,
de leptospiras
Fstudios hacterio195?; santa Rosa et al, 1975; wissenan et a], 1955) '
demuestran que estos aparentemente
en reptiles
l6qicos y serol6gicos
(Ferris et al, 1961; Klos
como reservorio ale leptospiras
tambidn ;ctian
1977),
y Lang, 19'16t Mazzonelli y Jelambi, 1980i Reicehbach-Klinke,
90
infectiindose
aI ingerir
animales de presa (i.eroedores) infectados
(Wa]lach y Boever, 1983) .
Esto nos motiv6 a tratar
de hacer una aista_
miento en Ia baba problenta, ef cuat resurt6
neqaiivo-nJiemo. sen.tar
que no se realizaron
exdmenes serol6gicos.
Los exiimenes parasitoldqicos
reatizaatos a ta baba motivo Cef Dresehla
estudio
resultaron
negativos,
a pesar de que numerosos
la-existencia
de una gran variedad de pariisitos
""t;;":';;;;;
q"" ti"i.i.rt
i".f"= ,
de] tejido
conectivo y hemoparasltos en estas especies (fowter,
197g,
K h a ne t a f , 1 9 8 0 r r , t o ; y r , a i s , 1 9 7 6 : M a r c u s , r s t i ; l- a
- -u- 'i"t'.-, r . " r r " , r s e t ,
Rei chenbacb-Kl i nke , I97i; Wailach y eo"""r,
r9g:l .
Conclusiones
y examen fisicos
son de utilidad
]imilada en el
l:
,L. historia
.ti
olagnostr.o
clr.lico de enfermedades Fr crocoditidos.
Sin aa\r-d^
-'
observaci6n del compor*amierro det aninat y .u ,uiuci;n-lo;
;;;'"'
congeneres fue de gran importancia en la evaluaci6n clinica
det caso,
Los exarilenes conrptementarios (i.e.
hematotogia)
fueron ale gran utitiatad
en e1 presente estudio,
y progresivanrente,
i nre,tida que se reaficen
nuevos reportes
ir6n adquiriendo
una mayor importancia
diaqn6stica2La t6cnica de obtenci6n de sangre por amputaci6n
alistal de uno de los atedos ale los miembros po.i"rior"",
1a t6cnica n.is sencilta
en aninares ae qr""'t"iia.----'
3.
Los m6todos indirectos
para
represe.tativos
de Ia constitucidn
son va I or-s refdti!os.
de Ia porcion
-resurto
-ser
contaje celular
no son realnente
corpuscular
ale ta sangre, porque
L" raz6n por Ia cual el animal estuatiaato tenia gastrotitos
1.
no fue
determinada.
Aconsejanos evitar
eI acceso de Ias bab;s a objetos nocivos
extraios
dentro ale ta exhibici6n
o estanque, por la tenaenci!
todavia
no justifica<1a de estos animales a ingerirlos_.
por el contrarlo
si
podemos concluir
que estos gastrolito;
no inftuyeron
c Lanfco
estudaadd"" "i "".ar"
sE] car6cter patol6sico de-ta
ls:eyqoriona
donde fue aislada es cuestjonaole,
dertrrco a que no hubo haltazgos
hi s topato l6gi cos que asi 10 evidenciaran.
6El diagn6stico_a1 que se ]leg6 en et caso estudiado fue el de
caquexia por inanici6n,
1a cual fue causada por problemas de jerarquia
y territorialidad
entre esta baba y 1a dominante.
por eso se recomlenata
evitar
tener miis de un macho adulto en un drea restringida
(exhibici6n
fPodemos senalar las siquientes
recomendaciones para et manejo de
p r o o, i.p m a s s a n t r a r r o s F - e x p l o t a c i o n o s d a . r o ^ o d r l i d o s :
al re.opilar
una buena informaci6n con respecto a ta historia
clinica,
b) observar el
comportamlento del animal enfermo y su retaci6n
con e1 rest6 det- drlb6:
--" '
c) aistamiento;
at) practicar
."*p r"io- y-i"^"i
ti"
m u e s L r a s n e . e s a r i d s p a r a F x d n""
F " e""a*""
s d e t d b"ri"ico
oratorro
{sarotogia, quimjca
s a n Q Ui r e 6 , \ e r n a ro l o g i a , b a c ' - r i o t o o i . ,
pards i I ologia) : e) diaerdsrico,
91
o en caso de
f) en caso de no resporlder al tratamiento,
tratamiento;
muestras para
1a necropsia y recofectar
aleterioro o muerte, practicar
y paras i tol6gi cos t g) tonar
exdmenes h i stopato l6gicos , bacteriot6gicos
resto de1 grupocon
eI
requeridas
las medidas pr.ofildcticas
Biblioqrafia
Beehler,
and antibiotic
Aerobic bacteria isolates
B.A. Sauro. A.N.
population.
Proc- of
in a captive reptile
sensivities
the American Assoc- of zao veL., Tampa, I'1orida, pp'1982 0 1 , 1 98 3 .
white blood counts on
method for making total
A direct
Proc. Soc. Exper. Biol- Med. 25:5q4-596,
avian blood.
1924 -
Blain,
D-
Blake,
D.K-
for commercial and conservation
of crocodiles
The rearing
Ne{s A'.32I-322,1974.
Rhodesia Sci.
purposes in Rhodesiain
of gastroliths
25t63-64, 1969-
two capti\te
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The ocurrence and inqestion
Herpetol6gica.
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Doods, w. J.
DuguY, R-
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Natural occurrence
ln the conunon
a prelininarv
Biochenestry
En: clinical
Hemostasis and coagutationof Domestic Animals, ed. Kaneko, pp. 672-673, 3rd' ed'
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nelIa and Arizona organisms
vet' Res' 39
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529-530, r91AEngbretson,
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count hematocrit
Ervthrocyte
v.Lt.
G.A.; Hutohinson,
Liolaemus nuttiformig'
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1 6 6 ' 1 9 7 6copeia 1:
92
Introaluction
and anatomy.
En:
Zoo and Wild Animal
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Philadelpbia,
1978.
D.!1.t Hanson. L.F.r Alberts. J.C.; Calhoun, J.C.,r Marlowe, R.
Epizootiological
studies on Leptosprra in Tllinois.
I.
Serological test on Tllinois
aleer in 1957, (mineeo) 1957.
Ferris,
t r ' e r r i s , D . 1 1t. R h o a d e s , H . E - ; H a n s o n , L - E . ;
calton, M.r Mansfiefd,
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Research into the nidality
of !e-p!-S-g-p-!!.qbel-bE
irl
campestral host including
t})e hog-nosed snake (Heterodon
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Fowler,
M.E.
Restrain and Handling of wild antl Domestic Aninals,
fowa State University
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I'owfer,
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Respiratory
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Therapy VI, ed- Kirk,pp- 633-637.
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1980.
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pp. ?92-798. W-B. Saunders co.
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Arocha Plfrango, ..T.;
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An ecoloqical
study of caiman crocodilus
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oecologia 35t
21-34, 19'7AFemostasis lranual, p.
Therapl.y vTT, ed. rirk,
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Salazar, C.
A nethod of obtajning
from large reptiles.
copeia 4:
37. F-A- Davis co.,
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pp. 625-633. w.B. saun,lers .o.,
cufture of the american alligator.
Mc Neas, I.
Zoo Yea!book l6: 61-52, I9?9.
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A c a d e m ic P r e s s , N e w Y o r k , 1 o ? 0 .
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Khan, R.,a-; Forester, D.J.; Goodwin, T.M, , Foss, C.A .
A haemogregarine
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66. 324-324, \9AO
Tbe identification
uniteal States
Public Eealth
Klos,
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Lang, E.N.
1 9 7 6-
of unusual pathogenic gram negative bacteria,
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zootierkrankleiten.
Higgins,
G-M- T}e blood
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Verfag Paul Paley,
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Haematol.
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Marcus,
L,
Parasitic
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Veterinary Therapy VI, ed- Kirk, pp.
Saunalers co- , Philadelphia,
1977.
Marinkelle,
En: current
801-806. W.B.
C-JOsyaldofilaria
medemi !.E!.
{Nematoda: Eilaroidea)
from the snooth fronted
cainan, Paleosuchus trioonatus
from colombia.
Rev- Bi01. Trop. 29 (1): 5-10, 1981.
Mateo, M.R-; Roberts, E.D.; Enright, r'.M. Morpholoqic. cytochemical,
and functional
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{Allioator
An. J. Vet- Res- 45: 1046-1053. 1984llazzohefli,
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(euenos Aires)
XIIJ:
Leucocyte anal erythrocyte diluent
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Ouay, W.B.
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F.
La leptospirosis
caceta veterinaria,
G.A.t pinto, L.AManual de diaqn6stico Helmintologico
rumiantes.
Gremerca Editores, Araqua, 1977-
v-S.
Prasse,
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3 5 6 , 1 9 8 0-
Arocha-Piianqo,
^f
arhh.shre-F
blood
Clinicaf
interpretation
of leykocyte
vet. clin.
North Am. 6: 581-
T,eucocyte and erytrocyte
aliluent for
counts - Copeia l. 252-254, 19'74.
I'.J.t
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C.L.t
Fr'
r
corzula,
I ihrFo,r<
S.;
Fri!isl-
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C- Ltaer€tology
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Ranirez,
F.J.r
Arocha-Piffango, C.L.: Montiel, N.; corzula, SElementos
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de la sange en eI
Caiman crocoalilus tinn.
Acta Cient.
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Reichenbach-K1inke.
cr.-lrv Fiqcher Verled.
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Stattgart,
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Brazi]:
Isolation
of a new serotype in the pyrogenes group.
Am- J- vet.
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Biology of Reptiles,
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rea Febiqer,
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Carrol, E.J.
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1975-
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94
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Parasitic
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Animal Medicine, ed. Fowler, pp. 138_143- W.B.
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1978.
Staton,
M.;
Dixon, JStudies on the dry season biology
of Caiman
crocodilus
from tl.e venezuelan 11anos.
Memoria ale fa
Sociedad de ciencias
Naturafes La Sa1le XXXV| 23'7-265. t9i5-
Staton.
M.; Dixon, J.
Breealing biology of the espectacled caiman,
Cainan crocodilus crocodifus,
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Wallach,
The differentail
diagnosis of anemia.
North America 6: 567-580, 1976.
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A problem
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Vet.
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Boever, W.J.
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Surqical Management, p- 1006. W,B, Saunders Cc,,
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1983-
Wisseman, C.L.; Traub, R.; cochenour, W.S; Smadel, J-E.r Lancaster,
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29-40 , 1955.
95
SIIIIACIoiI ACIInL DEL CAI]ON DE IA OglA,
El.l \7E.{EZUEIA
llinisterio
ctocoatvlus acutus,
Andr6s Elot' Seijas Y.
sen icio Nacid|al de Farna silvestre
del lnbiente y ab los Reclrsqs Natwafes
,Aparbado 184- lrbracay, venezrrela
Rencvdbles
SUM}{ARY
the historical
range
of
Numerous localities
within
afong the coast
of
Crocoalvlus acutus were visited
information
about the
venezuela,
in order to collect
The presence of g.
acutus
statos of this species.
with
was conflrned
in only 14 of these focafities,
qreater than one year olal
a total
of 293 crocodiles
only 35 of the individuals
observeal
being seen.
the
were considereal to be adults.
On the basis of
presence of nests hatchlinqs
that
it was estimated
females existed in
active
at least 22 reproaluctively
the areas visited.
A discussion is nade withregard
this species
in
of recuperating
to the possibility
96
Tntroalucci6n
I,a situaci6n
de las poblaciones
del caimiin de fa costa, Crocodvlus
qg_g!.!€, en Venezuela ha sido resefrada en algunos trabajos
recientes
(King, Canrbetl y Moler, 1982, Maness, 1982; Medem, 1983).
No obsestos trabajos
tante,
no han contado con la actividaal de canpo
para establecer
y eI
suficiente
con mayor precisi6n
1a ubicaci6n
estado actual de 1as poblaciones
de este cocodrilo
en el pais. Con
esta finalidad
se ha venialo haciendo, desde el a6o 1980, un
de numerosas localidades
reconocirniento
de la regi6n costera de
que est6 inscrita
Venezuela, actividad
alentro de 1os programas
b6sicos del Servicio
Nacionaf de Fauna Silvestre
del Ministerio
y de los Recursos Naturales
del Arblente
Renovables (MARNR). Este
por SeiJas y
esfuerzo,
cuyos logros iniciales
fueron plesentados
(1981), cobr6 un mayor impulso a partir
caballero
de novier,bre de
que aqui se presenta es s6lo un resumen de
1983La informaci6n
1as observaciones
hasta ahora realizailas.
Una publicaci6n
niis
que incfuya algunas proposiciones
detallada,
de manejo para fa
de esta especie, habrd de ser publicaata posteriormente.
recuperaci6n
Localidades
visitaalas
v netodolooia
Se visit6
la mayor parte de fas localialades especificamente
seiala(Medem 1983; Donoso-Barros 1966) y aquellas
das en 1a literatura
para las cuales se tenia infornaci6n
por parte de turistas,
pescadores, prensa u otras fuentes.
sobre la existencia
de g- aqtus.
La metodotogia empleada para el reconocimiento
de Ias localidades
visitadas
consisti6
en recorridos
diurnos y,/o nocturnos,utilizanalo
para ello,
la mayor parte de fas veces, un bote de alurninio de 12
pies y un motor fuera de borda de 6,15 o 25 HP- Se recab6
sobre esta especie y sus hiibitats:
informacion
sefrales sobre su
presencia/
que amenazan su
huellas.
nidos, principales
factores
etc.
Pala el reconocimiento nocturno se emple6
supervivencia,
una potente liimpara conectada a una bateria
de autom6vil de 12
voltios.
E1 encandilamiento
de los aninrales permite acercdrseles
1o suficiente
como para hacer una estimaci6n
de sus tamafros o
para su captura.
con lazos, y la toma de medidas miis
precisas
previas a su marcaje y liberaci6n.
Para e1 contaje de
(9. acutus
los animales en cada focalidad
se discrimin6
entre crias
menores de un aio) e individuos
mayores de un a6o, destacando
entre estos dltimos
La presencia y localizacidn
a los adultos.
de las crias y nidos,
para estimar ef
se tom6 como criterio
ndmero minimo ale hetnbras reproductivamente
activas
en cada fugar.
La longitud
se catcul6
distintas
mdximo de
con estas
de ]os rios y eI perimetro
de fos embalses y laqunas
por nedio de un curvimetro
y cartas geogriificas
a
escalas:
desde 1:25-000 hasta 1:250-000.
E1 nfnero
caimanes observados para cada localidad
se reLacion6
longitudes.
Resultados
Gran parte de la regi6n costera venezolana,
excfuyendo toalo el
]itoral
del Distrito
durante 1a realizaci6n
Federal, fue visitada
def presente trabajo5610 en 14 de los sitios
recorridos
fue
posible
conprobar
fa existencia
de g. gS]l!!S..
El nimero mlximo
de animales
de mes de un aio que pudo ser contaalo. para todas
1as local.ialades, alcanza la cifra
de 293 ejemplares.
En ta
Tabla 1 aparecen los val-ores para cada localitlaal,
y la relaci6n
entre e1 nimero de animales y las longitudes
recorridas.
Un total
ale 20? inalividuos
de q- acutus, irlcluyendo crias,
fueron
capturatlas.
El mayor de est.os animales era de 1.500 llun ale longl(Tabla 2).
tud total
De estos cocodrilos,
36 fueron retenialos
para Ia realizaci6n
de un ensayo ale cria en cautividad.
5610 35 de 1os caimanes observados en Ias distintas
localidaates
fueron consialerados adultos,
y se estim6, en base a la piesencia
ile nialos y crias.
que existen
al menos 22 hernbtas reproaluctiva(Tabla 3).
mente activas.
En la Tabla 4 aparecen las localialades para fas cuales no fue
posible
coinprobar,
o neetar, 1a existencia
de q. e.S.U!.!.C, inalic6ndose
el tipo de reconocimiento
realizado,
la fecha, y la fuente que
sefrala la existencia
de esta especie en eI lugar.
A contj.nuaci6n
se hace una breve descripcl6n
de 1as localidades
para las que se pudo conprobar la existencia
de caimanes y se
seialan
aquellas
caracteristicas
o aspectos relevantes
que pudieran
estar amenazando la supervivencia
de esta especie.
EMBALSEDE PUEBLOVIEJO:
Presa sobre e1 rio pueblo Vieio,
ubicada
a unos 20 km de la cludad ale Lagunillas,
en ef Estaalo Zufia.
Esta
obra fue construiala en e1 aio 1960.
Dista 30 kn, en linea recta,
del Lago de Maracaibo y estii situada a una altura
aproximada de 60
nretros sobre e1 nivel del nar, cubriendo una superficie
de 1-OOO
El iiiea es ale acceso finitado
ha.
y est6 parclatmente
protegida
por Ia Guardia Nacional.
Para 1a fecha de la visita,
13 de lunio
de 1984, los niveles
del embalse estaban muy balos, provocado pot
la fuerte
sequia que afectaba Ia zona y no se encontr6 vegetaci6n
acuiltica en los bordes de la presa.
Estos factores
parecen estar
afectanalo a la pequefia poblacidn
de C. acutus presente en eI
ya que fa mayor parte de 1os animales capturados,
lugar,
particuparecian muy flacas.
fadnente las crias,
La siembra del pez qILSLIA
parece haber provocado un alesequilibrio
ocellaris,
ecol6gj.co que
pudiera estar afectando a los caimanes alli
presentes.
EMBAISE DE TACARIGUA: Presa sobre el caio El Cauce, a unos 4 km.
de la poblaci6n
ale Boca de Tocuyo, en el Estado Fatc6n.
l,a represa
tiene por finafidad
suministrar
agua para riego y consumo humano
de poblaciones
vecinas.
Algunas fincas que roalean el enibalse han
deforestaalo hasta e1 borde mismo alel agua,lo cual efimina a estas
6reas como posibles
fugares para 1a nidificaci6n
de 9. acutusLAGUNADE JATIRA:
En realidad
tambidn es un embalse y estii
(Ernbalse de Tacarigua)
conectaalo con ef anterior
por un estrecho
canal de unos 3O0 metros de largoEs miis pequeffo que e1 embafse
y de aguas mds someras y con mucha veqetaci6n
de Tacarigua
acu.itica,
Io cual dificulta
su recorrido.
En reconocimiento
nocturno ale una
pequefia parte de esta laguna, e1 11 de febrero de 1984. s6fo se
observ6 a dos caimanes, ambos adultos.
No obstante,
cinco adultos
98
observados
200 netros
dias 30 de
41 crias y
E1 pozo fue
cl6ndose el
eD un pozo de unos 500 m2- ubicado a una distancia
de
ale 1a laguna, aleben provenir
de Ia misma.
AIfi,
los
y 12 de novienbre de 1982, se capturaron
septienbre
se comprob6 Ia existencia
ale, al menos, tres nialos.
secado en 1983 para regar tierras
cercanasr flesconodestino de todos los animales -
RIO TOCUYO: Es uno de los rios m6s largos que desenibocan en fa
costa Caribe de venezuefa.
5610 los tftinos
16,5 km- fueron
recorridos.
En ese sector los bordes estiin muy intervenidos , los
y la mayor parte de 1as fincas
cultivos
llegan hasta la orilla
toman el agua directarnente
del rio.
Los agricuftores,
ademiis,
los barbechos a1 cauce.
En e1 recorrialo
arrojan
con frecuencia
lealizado
el 23 de agosto de 1984, se observaron caimanes juveniles
y subadultos,
pero tan s61o una cria.
CUARE: ubicaclo en ef Estado I'a1c6n al sur de la poblaci6n
de
Chichiriviche.
En este fugar existe
un refugio
de fauna silvestre
por un
con una superficie
de 11.825 ha., mayormente repres€dtada
-(traregolfete
rodeado ale nanglares
unas
salinas
ale
inundaci6n
1'
tenporal.
En recorrialos
nocturnos de junio y septieribre
ale 1981t
enero de 1982 y febrero ale 1984, han sido observaalos un m6ximo de
dos cocodrilos,
aftbos adultos,
en 1a boca del caio cuacabana.
En
febrero aie 1984 se observ6 las hueflas de un adulto en las cidnagas
ale El Buquillo.
En agosto de 1982, uDos muchachos destruyeron
un
nido recidn construldo en fas cercanias de Ia casa del refugio.
MORROCOY: El Parque Nacional Morrocoy, en ef Estado Fa]c6n, tiene
por una
una superficie
de 32.090 ha,, mayormente constituialas
intrincaala
En el lugar
red de canales e islotes
de mangfares.
presi6n y aprovechandento turisticoexiste
una creciente
El tugar
parciales
ha sido visitaalo
por los sectores ale Cayo
en recorridos
Punta Brava, Caffo El Le6n, Ensenada ale Morrocoy e lsta de Piijaros.
s61o en Punta Brava e Isl-a de PiiJaros han sido observados ca.imanes.
No se han localizado nidos ni crias.
RlO AROA: Ubicado en e1 Estado r'alc6nHa sido inspeccionado
en
toda su longitud
desde eI punte ale Palna Sola hasta su desembocadura.
EI rio esta nuy intervenialo
en ambas m6rgenes, particularnente hacia la desenbocadura, donde existen
casas a la orilla
En ef sector palma Sola-La Caracara se observaron
nisna ale 6ste.
siete crias,
muy alispersas unas de las otras,
una ale ellas estaba
debajo del propio puente de Palma sola.
Existe una fuerte presi6n
sobre los caimanes por parte de los pobladores.
debialo a los
supuestos o reafes daffos que ocasionan a los aninales dom6sticos.
En enero de 1984 obtuvillos
informaci6n
sobre la muerte ale tres
subadultos,
cocodrilos
matados por un lugarefio.
RlO YARACUY: La nayor parte
de este rio corre por e1 Estado Yaracujr
y a partir
de la poblaci6n
de l,a Hoya, marca ef limite
entre este
estado y el Estado Carabobo.
EI rio corre a travds de una e:.tensa
principalnente
zona dedicada a fa aglicuftura,
cafra de azricar, pala
terminar
en una amplia faja ale terreno,
de unas 5.000 ha., que
conforman un delta:
zona de ci6nagas. pantanos y albdferas
ale
penetraci6n.
dificil
99
El sector recorrialo abarca la mayor parte alel rio que va alesde
el puente de Santa Maria, a 70 km en linea recta desde 1a costa,
hasta su alesenrbocadurar con la excepci6n alel sector entre e1
puente de El Pefr6n y 1a desembocadura de1 rio MarcanoLos
recorridos se realizaron
los dias 23. 24 y 27 ae enero; 16 y 1?
de mayo y 7 y 8 de agosto de 1984.
5610 en el trayecto
que va
(VENEPAI) hasta 1a desenbocaalura no se observaron
desde Limoncito
g- acutus.
RIO MARCANO: Este es un pequefro afluente
de1 rio yaracuyEs
rnuy angosto, poco profundo y cubierto
ale veqetaci6n
acudticaen
su mayor parteEl rio es usado para sacar agua y regar cultivc
cercanos.
Fue visitado
el 7 de diciembre de 1983.
TURIAMO: Esta localidad
se refiere
principalmente
a una pequefra
]aguna ale agua salobre ubicada hacia ef extremo nor-occidentaf
de la bahia del mismo nonbre / en ef Estado Aragua.
E] fugar
ha
sido visitado
14 veces desale e] mes de agosto de 1980, hasta jmro
de 1984. En tres oportunialades: 1980, 1983 y 1984, se han conseguido nialos. e1 de este iltino
affo fue depredaalo por humanos - En
ciertas
oportruidades
fos caimanes abandonan fa laguna y se dirigen hacia el cercano rio San Miquel, en la misma bahia.
Esta ]ocalialad puede ser consideraala bastante protegida,
en priner
luqar
por estar ubicada dentro del Parque Nacional Henri Pittier,
y en
sequndo lugar por Ia presencia
cercana de una base naval,
fo cual
restringe
el ingreso de personas al iirea.
No obstante se sabe de
la muerte de tres ejemplares,
subadultos y adultos,
entre fos aio6
1 9? 9 y 1 9 8 0 .
LOS TOTUMOS-I,AGUNA
GRANDE: En 1as cercanias de Cabo Codera, al
noreste del Estado Miranda.
El iirea consiste
Drincioalmenre
en
lagunas y canales rodeados de manglares.
en algunos-lugares
poco
profundos existen praderas ale Thalassia.
Los caimanes han sido
observados tar.,bi6n en e1 mar, a unos 100 metros de ]a orilla.
El
sltio
ba sido visitado
en dos oportunidades:
Julio de 1982 y
agosto de 1983.
No se harl encontrado nidos ni criasCANAI,ESDE RIO CHICOT Situados cerca ale 1a ciudad alel mismo
nonrbre en ef Estado Miranda.
Alli
existe
una serie de canales
y artificiales
naturales
usados con fines turisticos
y recreativos,
principafmente
para la prdctica
del ski acuetico.
Esta localidaal
jufio
ha sialo visitaala
en cuatro oportunidades:
de 1982, aqosro
de 1983r y narzo y julio
ale 1984. Existe, al menos, una pareja de
ya que se han conseguido crias y nidos sucesivamente tos
adultos,
a f r o s 1 98 3 y 1 9 8 4 .
LAGUNADE TACARIGUA: ubicada en eI Estado Miranda.
Esta es una
faguna costera bordeada ale manglares en su mayor par:te, se encuentra protegida
por Ia figura
ale parque nacional
y posee una superficie
de 18.400 haHa sido recorrida
parciafmente
en dos oporlunidades en agosto de 1983 y julio
de 1984- Se observaron
en los ca6os Hondo, San Nicoles y Piritalr
en fos dos iltirnos tugales
hay evidencias.
nidos y crias,
de la existencia
de un minimo de
tres henibras adultas.
Uno de los nidos en et Cafro piritaf.
fue
depredaalopor hunanos en 1984.
100
RIO NEVERI: Este rio,
muy sinuoso y de aguas refarrvamente
tranquilas,
atraviesa,en
su iltimo
tramo, a la ciudad de Barcetona,
en el Estado Anzoiitegui.
Los recorridos
reafizaalos tos dias 10 y
23 de julio
d e 1 9 8 4 , a b a r c a r o n d e s a l ep u e n t e s u c r e , . " . i
a"
la ciuilad, hasta eI puente de la pobfacidn
" "Soto
nt."
de Waricuaise
observaron g. acutus, algunos de ellos
crias,
entre el sector
cercano a Ia planta de 1a Cerveceria
polar y ef puente La Vofca.
algunos jovenes que habitan en Ia poblacidn
de Na_ricuat,
Pe
::t]erdo.a
EalnDlen
exrsten caimanes eh los rios Naricuaf
y araguita.
En los
primeros meses de 1984, tres caimanes. uno ae Sltos-nravor
de 2.50
metros, murieron en manos de pobladores de la zona.
Discusi6n
La exploLacion comercial a qran escaLa del caimiin de Ia costa se
lnIclo
en Venezuela en el afro 1929, aproximadamente , .
Esta ocurrao
de manera simutranea a ta explotdci6n'de1
caimiin aei Orino"o.
glg-cody-lus rnternedius
y a niveles
tan attos que para mediados de
rv4u amDasespecaes se podian considerar escasas, (Medem, 19g3;
Mondolfi,
1965).
No obstante,no
existen
cifras
qrr. p..*it.r,
conocer con exactitud,
y nr sjquiera .on Eproxinaci6n, el numero
de c- acutus cosechados durante esos aios.
Tampoco se saben las
localidades
principales
donde se reatizd
esta a;tividad.
De aclrerdo
a informaciones
obtenidas de luqareios
y conocedores de algunas de
las localidades
visitadas,
se desprende que fa exptotact6n
tue
particularmente
importante
at sur det ta;o de Mar;caibo,
en ef rio
Yaracuy y en la laguna de TacariguaInmediatamente despuds de haber finalizaalo
el aprovechamiento
comercial,
no se realizaron
estudios
que permitieran
establecer
ta
situaci6n
exacta en que habian quedad; 1a; polfa"io"es-Je-c.acutu"Los resultados
obtenidos en este trabajo
no permiten,
p". I"E-,
h a c e r , c o n p a r a c i o ne s y p o d e r e s t a b l e c e r s i h a ' h a b i d o , ' o . " o ,
afq,rr]a
recuperacion de ]as pobtaciones diezmadas. Ef dnico valor que
puede ser conparado no permite ser optimistaManess (1982i cont6
23 de estos cocodrilos
en el Refugio de Fauna Silvestre
au c.r...
en 1975.
Durante 1a realizaci6n
del presente trabajo
este refugio
fue visitado,en
cuatro oportunidades
;n los a;os 19dr, tsA2 y 1ga4
siendo dos (2) 1a cjfra
maxima de cocodritos
observados La presion directa
sobre las poblaciones
de C- acutus no ha cesado.
o" su pieI
tas supuestas propieaiades c.r.ati"".
y91g:
ale su sE:a.sa,
_"+
e
.t caracter magico que se Ie asigna a sus colmitlos,
su real o
inf\rndaala amenaza sobre et hombre y 1os animales dom6sticos,
etc.,
ha significado
un permanente tncentavo para la persecuci6n
y muerte
de estos animalesSin enbargo, 1a princrpal
y_.,i" pr.o"rrp"nta
amenaza sobre esta especie es ta ctestruccron d; hdbiiats.
in muchas
de las localidades
visitadds
se desarrotlan
actrvidad;s
aoricotas
y otros tipos de actividad
humana en ta oritla
misma de t;s cuerpos
to cual vrold disposiciones visentes en ta Ley Foresral
!o1e s1 us e
y3
,
los y Aguas. Esto afecta a fos tugares utilizados
por gacutus para la construcci6n
por otra parte,
de sus nidosla; &eas
han vFnido soporLando una crecienLe pi.'.,0"
q:1::91i.":
po, p.,t.
de urbanrzadores,
para convertirfos
en centros ae recreac-i6, qr"
terminah, a la larga,con las poblaciones de esta especie.
101
ale 293 animales de miis de un afio, contada en fas localiLa cifra
por alos
pueale consialerarse
como conservaalora
daales visitatlas,
porque todavia
quedan algunas localidades
lugar.
en primer
razones:
por visitar
como es el caso de
muestreadas,
o insuficientemente
los rlos Tocuyo, Aroa y Yaracuy, toda la regi6n sur alel lago de
para fas cuales existen
algunas refelencias
Maracaibo y otras/
y recientes
ale este cocoalrilo
sobre la existencia
histdricas
(Laiz-Blanco.
1 9 ? 9 r M e d e m , 1 9 8 3 t S e i j a s , 1 9 8 4 ) ; y e n s e g u n a l oh E a r ,
porque no toalos los animafes que ocurren en una zona pueden ser
de 22 hemlcras reproaluccon ]a cifra
estimada
vlstos
o coniaalos.
de Ia poblacion de
se puede hacer un cilculo
tivahente
activas,
Este c61cu1o se basa
en
las
14
6reas
mencionadas.
estos reptiles
(chableck,
para otras especies de Crocod]rlia
en observaciones
1956) y ha sido usado por OgCIen (19?8) para estimar las poblaciones
De
en los Estados unidos.
de g. Bg.glgE en e1 Estado ile Ftorida
las henibras
usados por estos autores,
acueralo a fos criterios
cada aio constituyen
entre el 4 y 5x de la
aaluttas que nialifican
para estos reptiles
poblact6n.
si estos valores
fueran ciertos
poblaci6n
estaria
entre
en
1as
dreas
visitailas
en venezuela.la
que tlebe ser tonaala
de mds de un affo, cifra
440 y 550 indivialuos
con mucho cuiclado ya que en este caso no se tiene una pobfaci6n
y pequeias poblaciones
aisladas.
de g. acutus, sino ndltiples
una mayor aproximaci6n
a fa
Futuros estudios podrian perrnitir
reafialad.
pero no
de g. acutus en Venezuela es critica,
La situaci6n
sin embargo.s610
de sus poblaciones,
irreversible.
La recuperaci6n
de un ptograma de protecciin
serii posible
con la puesta en prictica
proteccionista,
necey manejo a largo alcance.
La s61a politica
suficiente.
saria en todo caso, no seria
de habitatst
fa recuperaci6n
El freno a la aceferada destruccidn
1a formaci6n de una
de rios y represas;
de las zonas protectoras
de esta especie (espefavoxable a la recuperacidn
opini6n ptblica
de una eficierte
existe)
a traves
ciafmente
en las zonas donde ella
alebe estar
acompaiaala tle medidas miis endrgicas
campafia educativa,
y repidas,
como podria ser fa cria en cautividaal y por un tiempo
(por ejemplo un afro) de animales recidn nacialos capturapruttencial
iniciar
este proceso con la incubacion
alos en el campo, o incluso
la mayor
elimina,
o alisninuye,
de huevos.
Este procediniento
que provoca una gran n'iortafialad
de los anilEfes
parte
ale los factores
los cocodrifos
serian liberaalos
en esta etapa.
A1 tdrmino del aio
de origen y otros serian para
en ef sitio
en una proporci6n
poblacionales
son muy bajos o,
iireas alonale los niveles
repoblar
Existen antecedentes
incfuso,
donale esta especie haya desaparecido.
(Blake, 1974) con
de este tipo ale manejo con Crocodufus niloticus
resultaClos satisfactorios.
critica
en que se encuentran las
La superaci6n ale 1a situaci6n
de la realizaci6n
poblaciones
de .q. gqqlgC en Venezuela. requiere
ale organismos
deberia partlr
ale un esfuerzo que, en principio,
pero que deberia involucrar
ale afguna manera
piblicos
interesados,
1os valores
restaurar
56lo asi ser6 posible
a toda la colectivitlad.
y econ6micos de esta especie.
cientificos,
ecol6gicos
cul.turales,
i02
rdr:,lA^i
ni
on+ ^c
son nomerosas las personas que colaboraron
con la realizacidn
ale
este trabajo.
particularmente
en la fase de cafirpo, ebtre elfas
la mayor parte del personal de Servicio
Nacionai aie l,auha Sifves_
quiero destacar 1a valiosa
pai.ticipaci6n
ale
!.";
19 obstante,
Ram6n Rivero y cerardo Cordero, quienes me asi;tieron_en
]as
{ltimas
etapas de1 proyecto.
Biblioorafla
Casfer.
C. y J- Iira1983.
de1 sector Los otivitos.
Zo a 5/rC/5O39 pp.
Blake,
D. K.
19'74- The Rearing of Crocoaliles for conmerciat anat
purposes in Rhodesia.
Conservation
The Rhodesia Sclence
(
1
0
)
.
News 8
315-324.
Estudio raunistico
ale los Mangtares
MARNR. Serie Tnformes cie;tificos
Chabreck, R.
1966.
Methods of Determining
the size and ccrr{)Gitico,s
population
of AIliqator
proc. 2oth. Annua-L
in LouisianaConf. S-Ec a m e a n d F i s h C o n n n .2 0 : 1 0 5 _ 1 1 2 .
King,
l'.W.r H. W. Cancell y p.E. Moter.
Status of the American Crocoilile(New Ser. ) :
Publ.
84-89.
1982. Review of the
In:
Crocodiles.
IUCN
Laiz,-Blanco,
J.
7979.
Conservaci6n del Ecosistema ,,Isla de Aves,,,
con Especial Enfasis en el Controt y Marcaje ate la Tortuga
Verde {g}elonia_rygee)
y de las Aves Resid;ntes
y Migrarorras.
Functaci6n para la Defensa de la Naturaleza.
FUDENA. A2 DD.
Maness, S.
1982.
Status
Crocodiles.
rucN
Medem. E.
1981.
Crocodylia
354 pp.
of Crocodvfus acutus, Caiman crocodilus
c_!.9S-99!lJE !!9qod1lus
in VenezuefaIn
(New ser.) |
PubllI'7-12O.
Los Crocodllia de Sur AmdricaVoI- l.
Los
de cofonbia.
Edt.
carrera
?a. Ltda. Bogotii.
Medem, F1983. Los Crocodylia de Sur Amdrica.
Carrera 7aLtda.
Bogotii.
270 pp.
Mondolfi,
E-
1 9 6 5-
Nuestra Fauna.
El Faro],
Vol-
l2l4) |
fI.
Edit-
l-I2.
Ogden, J. C.
1978Status and Nesting Biotogy of the Anrerican
Crocodife,
Crocodyfus acutus,
(Reptitia,
Crocodilidae)
in I'lorida.
J. Herpetol.
12 (2) : 183_195Seijas,
A1984. Estudio Faunistico preliminar
de 1a Reserva de
Fauna Silvestre
de ]as cidnagas ale Juan Manuel, Aouas
Blancas y Aguas Negras, Estado zu1a. serie Inform;s
leGlicos
DGIIA (MARNR)
A4 PP.
/IT/147 .
10.1
Seijas,
1981. El ''Status" Pobfacional del
A- y L. caballero.
carniin de Ia costa (Crocodvlus acutus) en venezuela.
(Resumen). Acta cient- venez.
32.
{SupI. 1). p. 8r.
1977Venezuela.
Aguas.
Reglamento de la
LeY Forestal
de Suelos
Y
104
TABLA 1
NUMEROMAXIMO DE CROCODYI,USACUTUS MAYORESDE I'N AftO, OBSERVADOS
EN I,AS DISTINTAS LOCALIDADES VISITADAS
Distancia
Recorriaia
(Km)
localidades
Pueblo
viejo
30.25
Laguna de Jatira
Na trExirc
ObservEdo
invkn.
1
31
I,02
3
5
visitada
Ibcha
13-6-84
2'7-9-42
Represa ab Tacarigua
15,00
2
4
o,27
25-4-A4
Rio Toct!'o
Secbor A
11,00
I
8
0,72
23-A-44
Sector B
5,50
1
9
1.63
23-8-84
25,00
5
2
0,08
19-t-82
4
5
Cuare
I4orrocay
Rio ArcB
sector
a-1]-42
A
14,60
11
a,'75
26-r-84
Sector B
36,60
56
1,53
22-A-44
Seetor A
t'7,oo
2
2,OO
24-t-84
Sector B
6,00
3
2I
Sector C
13,30
I
27*
8-8-84
Sector D
13,20
1
35
'7-a-44
1
3
1-12-84
I4
18
2
4
19-8-83
nio c}dco
3
6
18-8-83
Lag- Tacariqua
2
16
17-8-83
Rio Ne\.€ri
1
4
nio uarcano
4,90
Tlriarm
*
Recorrido
Diurno.
3,50
3 , 67
7.47
3-4-84
23-7-a4
293
1C5
TABI,A 2
NUMERODE INDIVIDUOS DE CROCODYI,UIIACUTUS CAPTURADOSEN
DISTINTAS
LOCALIDADES DE VENEZUELA
Localidades
4 50rrun.
450 run.
1- 500 nm
1.000
Pueblo Viejo
Embalse de
Tacarigua
Laguna
Jatira
de
Rio Tocuyo
1
3
3
Morrocoy
4
1
Rio Yaracuy
36
6
Turiamo
42
2
12
2
Laguna de
Tacarigua
1'7
3
Rio Neveri
6
1
r70
31
Rio Aroa
Totales
Nota:
Los individuos
ale menos ale 4 5 0 mm de longitual
es decir.
animales menores de un aio-
5
6
total
= 201
son crias,
10€
TABLA
3
NUMERO DE ADUITOS OBSERVADOS Y NUMERO MINJMO DE HEMBRAS RE:RCDINNAMENIE
EN ],AS DTSTINTAS LOCAT,IDADES
ACTTVAS DE CROCODYLUS Aqglqq,
VISITADAS
Aalultos
Locafidad
N! minimo 0
+
Reproduc.
Activas
observaciones
Pueblo viejo
1
2
crias
r.:d,n:
5
3
Tres nidos
2
1
Crias
-
1
una cria
Cuare
2
|
Un nj"do en 1982
I\4orrocoy
1
3
3
Crias
d- .r:+ir:
Rio Tocuyo.
Rio Aroa.
Sector
A
muY dispersas
en 1982
en 1984
en 1944
muy dispersas
Sector
B
Rio Yaracuy.Sector
A
Sector
B
1
1
Una nidaala en 1984
Sector
C
3
-
Visitada
Sector
D
2
3
Crias
Rio Marcano
1
-
Turiano
4
1
Los ToLunros.
Laguna Grande
2
-
Rio Chico
1
1
Nidos en 1983 y 1984
r.^d,,n: ria
Tacarigua
I
3
Nidos y crias
Rio Neveri
|
2
Crias
35
22
en el
dia
muy dispersas
Llr nido 106 afiG 1980,1983,1984
en 1943-84
muy dispersas
107
TABTA 4
LOCALIDADES VISITADAS DONDE NO SE OBSERVARONINDIVIDUOS NI SEfrALES
SOBRE LA PRESENCIA DE CROCODYLUSACUTUS
Locafidad y Fecha
de fa Visita
Estado zulia{ocirretas
(l€rzo 1983)
lie
Tipo cle Reconociniento
D - atiurno: N = Nocturno
r-indn y cran Eneal
(.bril
1984)
fuente
D. y N. Ibtsal
l€dqrl,
D. y N. Parcial
Luqarenc
(V3)
Fep!€sa Socuy
(Jurio 1984)
N. Parcial
I€presa 1UL4
(.nrnio 1984)
N. Parcial- (1,/2)
N. lbtal
(Junio 1984)
Lugarefros
Luqarefios
Navegable (4 Ifti
Iac Olivitos
oaarzo 1983)
D. y N, Parcial
SiIEllare
(Julio
D- Parcial
1981
l,ugarenos
C€sler y Lira,
1983
1984)
Estado F,alcin-cano
(Iebrero 1984)
E1 Doce
D- Parciaf
Rio Aragrita
(rcbrerc 1984)
estado Yaracut'-Gffo El h€al
(Septia$re 1981 y n€ro 1984)
Represa CurBJripa
{JrBdo 1984)
N- Total
(32 Knd
N. Sector cfarines_La
Boca
Luga.refrG
Dcnc,6o-Barrc,
N. Total
1966
AledafiG
Laqma ab ChacalEta
(Julio 1984)
Eltrevista
colfo de Paria
(rEbrero 1983)
D. Pa.I:cial
F.stado l&']]aqas
Reser\/a Ibresta.l
(leDrero redJl
Lug€reffc6
La Reina
rrnare
Estado Sucre
Rio C€riacD y l€nglares
(,Iu.lio 1984)
Naveg€b]e (3 Km)
N. Total
Dstado Mirarda
Belria de Glat'aciin-IaguE
(Julio 1982)
Estado .Anzo.itequi-Rlo
(Marzo 1984)
N- ltrtal
con Pescadores
Dor:ro€o-Bat:ro€, 1966
D- y N. Parcial
de Grarapidxe
* nl 'rl\Enter aparece ta refersrcia
miis reciente que seiala 1a presencia ale g. acutus IEra
lllra deterfiLinada focalidadNo cbstante,la
rrByor IErCe ale los lugares filercn visitados
por existir
inforrEciin
de 1u9areffo6, o por enccntrarse en eI 6rea de distrihrcion
hist6rica
db la eslEcie.
10t
CENSO AEREO DE CAIMANES (CROCODYLUSIN"ERMEDIUS) EN EL RIO
TUCUPIDO {PORTUGUESA, VENEZUELA) CON OBSERVACIONES SOBRE
SU ACTIVIDAD DE SOLEAMIENTO
Cristlna
Ramo y BenJamin Busto
Universidad
Nacionaf
Experimental
',Ezequief Zamora,,
de los Lfanos Occidentales
cuanare - Venezuela
STJMMARY
(crocodylus
A crocodile
Tntermedius)
population
lras found
afong the Tucupido river
in Portuguesa state,
Venezuela.
This river
originates
in the piedmont of the Andes at
approximately
1200 rneters above sea leve1, and enpties
lnto the cuanare river.
A dam is being constructed
on the
Tucupido river
next to the dam of the adjacent Bocono
river,
the conlcined dams wilt
be able to flood an area of
about 13,000 hectares.
The Tucupialo river
was observed fron an airplane
fivetimes
at difterent
hours of Lhe day from the bridqe of the
Guanare-Barinas
road until
the river
is approxinately
300
meters above sea 1evef.
Sixty-six
crocodiles
were counted
aluring the five flights.
Of tbese, 32 were shorter
than 2
meters in fength,
26 were between 2 and 3 tneters, and one
was longer than 3 neters.
These sightings
repleseotant
least nineteen indlviduals,
5 between the brialqe and the
dam and 14 above the dam.
A binodal pattern
of baskinq activity
was found, with
maxlmum basking at 10 a.n. and a second peak at 4 p.m.
109
Introducci6n
El Caimiin del Orinoco (Crocodvlus intemediFs),
es una especie cuya
distribuci6n
se encuentra restriirgrcta
a la cuenca de1 rio Orinoco,
desde el Delta Amacuro en Venezuela basta e1 rio cuavaire
en Colcr$ia
(Medem, 1983).
El alto valor comerclal de su piel,
provoc6 una explotaci6n
intensiva hace algunas d6cadas.
Pol esta raz6n/ Ias poblaciones
de esta especie disminuyeron driis ti camente , hasta tal punto, que actual(Blohm, 1973rRiveromente estd considerada en peligro
de extlnci6n
B]anco, 19?4r Godshalk y Sosa 1978; Medem, 1981. 1983).
Los datos miis recientes
acerca del estado pobtacional
de esta estrEcie
en Venezuela, han sido aportados por Goalshalk y Sosa (19?8-1982)
quienes durante un censo efectuaalo en 1os Lfanos Occidentales,
observaron indicios
de 2?3 individuos
en los rios Guanare, Poltuguesa,
Cojedes, Tinaco, San Carfos, Capanaparo, Riecito,
Cinaruco, Meta y
Orinoco.
Posteriormente, en 1981, Franz et. al- (en prensa) / en
un reconocimiento
adreo, encontraron
una poblaci6n
importante
en el
rio Caura (Bofivar)
cerca alel Salto Par6.
En la
figura
1 se seffala
fa distribuci6n
del
Caimiin del
Orinoco
en
Las primeras observaciones
sobre cainanes en el rio Tucupido, son
cuatro ejemplares:
un macho de 1,20 m. de longitud,
capturado ef
2 de noviedbre de 1980 por D. Taphorn y c. Rios, una hembra de
2,56 m. capturada el 24 de enero de 1981 por R, Siinchez y dos juveniles
de poco tiempo. uno de 36,5 cm. y otro que no se midi6,
capturados el 24 de mayo de 1981 por R. Sdnchez.
Estos caimanes se mantienen en cautiverio
en 1as instalaciones
ale 1a Universidaal Nacionnal Experimental
de los Llanos Occidentales
Zamora"
"Ezequiel
(UNELLEZ) en cuanare.
Posterlormente
en Julio de 1982, realizanalo un reconocimiento
a pie
por fa orilla
pudimos observar un ejemplar de aproximadamende1 rio.
te 2.5 m. soleilndose en eI borale.
Mes tarde,
el 23 de septiembre
ale 1982, sobrevolando una parte del Tucupido, tuvimos Ia oportunidad
ale avistar
6 caimanes.
Toalos estos datos evidenciaban
fa existencia
de una poblaci6n
inportante,
ademes 1a presencia de juveniles
recidn nacidos indicaba que
era una poblaci6n
con parejas que se estaban reproduciendo
activamente.
Esta informaci6n
nos 11ev6 a plantear
la realizaci6n
ale un
censo a6reo ya que era imposible hacerlo por lancba, debido a las
condiciones
det riona<-rrn^i,4h
?la1
^ra^
EI rio Tucupido nace en 1as cercanias de fa fila
Cerro Negro, a
1.200 nsnm, aproximadamente . Antes de desembocar en el rio cuanare,
recorre
1as siguientes
formaciones vegetales:
Bosque Premontano
11C
Semideciduo, Bosque Tropical
Siempreverde,
Sabanas con Chaparros
y Bosque Tropical
Semideciduo (Ministerio
ilet Ar,biente y d; tos
Recursos Naturafes Renovabfes -MARNR- 1982) , recibiendo
acrua de
quebradas (Riquera, Higuerones.
diversas
Los Bafros, r,as cirpas y
Los Hierros).
El clina de la zona se caracteriza
por teDer dos estaciones
bten
(junio a octubre)
marcadas; una fluviosa,
en ta que ocurre el gO!
de la precipitaci6n
anual, y otra seca (diciembre a marzo).
Esta
estacionalidad
influye
mucho en e1 caudal def !:io, que es de rdgi_
men pluvialLos gastos medios det mes n6s hrimedo y n;is seco, son
respectlvamente
de 50,7 m3ls y 0 m3,/s (Ministerio
de obras pibfi_
cas -MOP- 1976).
En 1a dpoca ale lluvias
el agua es turbia
debido
a-Ios sedimentos que arrastra,
pero en fa 6poca seca, el agua es
ya que casi no hay corriente.
cfara,
En su curso afto,
eI lecho
es pedregoso, para dar paso, en su curso medio. a un lecho pealre_
goso que alterna
con grandes pozos y ptayas arenosas.
At llegar:
al puente en la via cuanare,Bari nas , han desaparecido
los cantos
rodados y eI lecho del rio es arenoso.
Los caimanes se aletectaron en fos
alel rio entre eI puente y la cota
grandes pozos en una secci6n
aprdximada de fos 3OO msnm.
Actualmente el Ministerio
def Anibiente y de los Recursos Naturafes
Renovables -MARNR- est6 construyendo una represa.
con fines agrico1as y de electricidad,
10 km. aguas arriba def puente. que acunula_
rii agua hasta un nivel mriximo de 26? msnn, esta_represa_se
conectarii con la del rio Bocon6 (ya finalizada)
por un canal de 7OO m- de
fargo y la superficie
mixima de ambas sera de aDroximadanente
($op, 19?6) (Frq. 2).
I3-000 bectireas
Metodolooia
Pa.a 1os vuefos se utifiz6
una avioneta CESSNA 170, en la que iban
dos observadores.
Ef censo se realiz6
en el nres de diciembre de
7982En esta dpoca el rio estaba bastante seco v ef aqua erd
clara pudrdndose drstinguir
los caimanes con faci-Iidad-Se sobrevol6
cinco veces e1 rio Tucupido, atesde et puente situaalo
en la carretera
c\ranare-Ba rinas , hasta donde se convertia
en un
y los caimanes alelaban de aparecer,
torrente
invirtidnalose
de 20 a
30 minutos en el recorrialo.
Los vuelos se realizaron
a distintas
horas del dia (09:40 a 10:10, 10:56 a 11:20. 13:00 a 13:20, 15:07
a 16:32 el ? de diciemlore y 08:15 a 08:39 el 8 de diciembre) con
objeto de deterninar
e1 patr6n de soteamiento.
cuando se divisaba
un caimen, se estimaba su tamafro, incluydndolo
en alguna de las categorias siquientes:
2-3 m., yi3
In.
<2n.,
Se anotaba si estaba dentro del agua o sotedndose, y el tipo de
sustrato
(drena o piedra) - Los caimanes eran
donde se encontraba
reconocibfes
desde e1 aire por la forma alargada ale su cabeza.
Por este m6todo Franz et al,
(en prensa),
estiman que los caimanes
nenores de un metro, no son visibles-
111
Resultados
se observaron 66 cainanes de
Durante los cinco vuelos efectuados,
l-os cuales 32 154,24xt eran menores de 2 metros, 26 (44,071) estaban entre los 2 y 3 metros, y s61o uno (1,692) era mayor de 3 metros (Tabla 1).
5 se situaban entre
Se cens6 un miiximo de 19 caimanes dlstintos,
y 14 aguas arriba
de la mistna- Por fo
e1 puente y 1a represa,
2'7 l7'7,I4Zl en
general se encontraban en los pozos mAs profuntlos,
secciones donde el rio presentaba un lecho arenoso y A (22,86A\
No obstante dentro de esta ultien donde e1 lecho era pealregoso.
s61o se observ6 un ejemplar sofeanalose sobre un sustrato
ma cifra
pero
pedregoso, el resto.(?
caimanes) estaban sobre este sustrato
dentro del agua se observ6
E1 mayor nimero de cairnanes, (16 ejemplares)
e1 segunclo y tercer censo, (entre 09:40 y 11:20), tanto
agua como soleandose.
alurante
alentro del
los datos se exponen en
de soleamiento,
En cuanto a la actividad
del agua, a mealida que
Los caimanes comienzan a salir
la fiq.
3.
se observa un maximo
a
las
10,
el sol va calentando el anlcinete;
en e1 nrinero de ejemplares que esten fuera ilel agua y despuds este
la
entre fas 11 y las 14:00 hofas,
nrinrero desciende bruscamentei
mayoria se encontraba en el aguar Y a las 15:00 horas se producia
Este
menos acusado que el primero.
otro maximo en el soleamientor
patr6n binodal es parecido a1 encontrado para ta Baba (gg!4gq
durante la 6poca seca {Ayarzaguena,1980t
en los lfanos,
crocodrlus)
19?5), y para e1 cocoalrilo alel
Staton y Dixon, 1975; Marcellini,
(
c
o
t
t
,
E1 sobrecalen(
c
r
o
c
o
d
y
,
l
g
s
1961) (Figura 3).
niloticus)
Nilo
del dia, hace que los animales
tamiento en las horas centrales
su temperatura.
al agua, para regular
retornen
nos
con el fin de obtener mAs datos acerca ale su comportamlento,
instalamos
cerca de un pozo en ef que se soleaban cinco ejemplares.
Durante 1as tres horas y cuarto que permanecirnos ocuftos observansus cabezas sobre la superficie
alofos, s610se pudieron distinguir
pequeio
sali6 a solearse durante
ejemplar
tan
s61o
un
alel agua,
hacia e1 hohbre,
Esta actitud
de desconfianza
algunos minutos.
ya que el iirea es
probablemente ha sido la que los ha preservado,
por cazadores, que conocen la existencia
visitada
frecuentemente
de cainanes en e1 rioEo este nismo pozo se observaron algunas babas, pero mientras los
estas se situacaimanes se encontraban en ]a parte miis profunda,
observamos tambi6n como un caimiin intenban en las aguas someras.
una iguana, que estaba sobre Las ramas
t6 atrapar aunque sin dxito,
en el bolale del rio.
Impacto
de 1a Represa sobre
los
caimaoes
provocari
canibios
de la represa,
Es indudable que la construcci6n
no
sabemos
Por
el
monrento
acuaticos.
en
tos
h6bitats
sustanciales
de caimanes situada
estos cambios a la poblaci6n
c6mo afectariin
La consecuencia miis inmediata es la
de la misma.
aguas arriba
ll2
inundaci6n
de las playas de1 rio,
utilizadas
tabto para e1 sotea_
mlento como para efectuar
la puesta.
Hay evidencias
de que, en
condiciones
aalversas, los caimanes pueden construir
sus ;idos en
gredosa, asi T. Blohm encontr6 un nido de estas caractertstierra
ticas el,l las mergenes del enbalse de camatagua (T. Blohm, com.per.)
y F..Medem (1981) reporta
como un caso excepclonal,
un nido de
caimiln en el Alto Ariporo
(casanare, colornlcia) donde no existen
playas arenosas, y las orillas
son de greda y cascajo.
Este nialo
estaba construido
con ramas secas y hojarascas
amontonailas, y contenia 43 huevos.
Por otra parte,
el mayor vohimen de agua, y los cantrios originados
en Ia densidad y composjci6n de las pobtaciones de peces, afectar5n de alguna manera fos hiibitos
alimenticios
de 1os caimanes.
Pudiera ocurrir
una migraci6n hacia la cabecera de] rio,
Dero lo
estimamos poco probabfe,
ya que en esa parte,
el rio pres;nta
un
lecho pealregoso y carece de grandes pozos donde los caimahes podrian
encontrar
refugio,
otra posibilidad,
seria 1a miqraci6n
aguas abajo
a travds de 1as compuertas de la represaSi esta poblacidn
reacciona bien a fas nuevas condiciones
ambientales podria extenderse a travds de las ori1las,
de las 13.000 has que van a quedar inundadas.
Conclusiones
Los resultados
de este trabajo
constituyen
un aporte adicional
al
conocimiento
actual deI estado de Crocodvlus intermedius.
EI hecho
de que se haya localizado
una poblacidn
en ef piedemonte, hace
pensar en la posibilidad
de que queden reductos miis o menos importantes de esta especie en otros rios ale esta zonaPor otra parte,
ef reconocimiento
adreo se revela cono un m6todo
para obtener datos de densidad relativa,
eficaz
aumentando tas posabilialades
ale localizaci6n
de nuevas poblaciones
en lugares inaccesibles por fanchaEn cuanto a la mejor 6poca para realizar
1os !'Lle]os, seria el comienzo ale la dpoca seca, cuando las aguas hayan bajado y no sean turbuIentas.
Y a fin de obtener fos nejores
resultaalos,
se reconienda
que los censos se efectien en dias soleados entre tas 09:30 y l1:30h.
aq ra de c i mie4-gg
Queremos agradecer a fa UNELLEZ, eI flnanciamiento
de los vuelos,sln
el cual Ia realizaci6n
de este trabajo
no hubiera siato posible.
Asimismo queremos manifestar
nuestro reconocimiento
a Stewart Reial,
magnifico
piloto,
a craciela
Minguez por mecanoglafiar
el texto,
a
Roberto Escalona por Ia reafizaci6n
y por rittimo
de 1as figuras,
al Dr. Stephan corzula por la revisi6n
del manuscrito.
113
Biblioorafla
Ecologia del Caimen de anteojos o baba
AyalzaJuena, J. (1980).
(Caiman crocqdifus
L.) en los Lfanos de Apure, Venezuela.
Tesis Doctoral,
Facultad de cienclas
Biol6gicas
de la
Universidaal Complutense de Madrid, 216 pBlohm, T. (19?3). Cbnveniencia de criar crocodilidos
en venezuela,
con fines econ6micos y para prevenir
su extinci6n.
Slmposio
y Pesca Fluvial
y l,acusInternacional
sobre Fauna Silvestre
tre anaz6nica.
Manaus, Brasil.
cott,
H.s. (1961) .
scientific
results of an inquiry in to the
ecology and economic status
of the Nile crocodile
(crocodvlus
niloticus)
in uqanda and Northern Rhoalesj,a ltans.
zoo1. Soc. London, 29 (4):
211-535 p.
Franz,
The discovery of a
R-, s. Reid y c. Puckett (en prensa).
population
crocodvlus
intermedius,
in
of orinoco Crocodile,
.nforme sin publicar.
Southern Venezuela.
codshalk,
R- (1982).
status and Conservation
of Crocoalvlus
in venezuela.
Proc- 5th work Mtg. cSG, SSc,
l_I!g!!edi!q
T U C NP u b l . . N e w S e r i e s , 3 9 - 5 3 p Godshalk, R.y E. Sosa (1978) - El caimiin del orinoco.
Crocgdllbg
intermedius,
en los Llanos occiatentales
venezola-nos con
en venezuela y recomenobservaciones
sobre su dlstrrbucr6n
daciones para su conservacr6n,
informe presentado a FUDENA
( w w F ). c a r a c a s , 8 4 p .
patterns and alensities of
D.L. (1979) . Activity
Marcellini,
venezuelan
caiman {g3:1(l4_q9pSd!_!ng)
and Pond Turtfes
(Podocnemis v_gqli).
En:
Vertebrate
Ecology in tbe Nor:thern
NeotropicsJ.F- Eisenberg Ed. smithsonian Institution.
washinston, 263-2'71 p.
Medem, F. (1981) de colombia.
lleden, F-
(1983) -
Perri, Bolivia,
sidad Nacional
Los crocodylia ale Suramdrica.
coLCIENcTAS. Bogotd.
354 p.
L
Los crocodylia
I,os crocodylia
de Suramerica.
II- Venezuela,
Suriname, Guayana Francesa, Ecuador,
Brasil,
Paraguay, Algentina y Uruguay. Univerde colombia y cOLcIENCIAS.
Bogot6 2?0 p.
Ministerio
del Ambiente y de los Recursos Naturales
Renovables.
sistemas Arnbientales venezolanos.
Proyectc
MARNR. (1982) .
caracas,
vEN/'79/O01.
Mapa de vegetaci6n
actual de Venezuela231 PMinisterio
rro:
lo1,
-MOP- (1976).
de Obras Publicas
plan de Desarrol]o.
ReD(bllca
134 p-
Programa Guanare-Maspade venezuela,
Decreto
Rivero
Blanco, C. (1974).
Hdbitos Reproductivos
de la Baba en
los tlanos de Venezuela.
Natura 52:
24_29 p.
Staton,
M.A. y ,t.R, Dixon {1975).
Studies on the dry season biotogy
of Caiman gf999qi_lg:i. crocodilus
fron the Venezuelan Llanos.
Mem. sc,c. ale cienc. Nat- La salle,
35 (101): 237_265 p.
Indice
de Tablas
v tri.glleg
Tabfa l.
Nunero y tamafio de los
tipo de sustrato
sobre
Fi@ra
Distribuci6n
1.
caimanes observados, activiatad
e1 que se encontraban.
de crocodvfr:s
intermedius
I-ocalidades dcnde se han enccntrado
(tonado de Medem, 1983) Rios con fas
cidas:
1234.
56.
Ric
Rio
Rio
Rio
Rio
Rio
principales
poblaciones
y
en Venezuelacaimanes
ate caimdn cono_
cojedes (codshalk y sosa, 19?8)
',
')
CatrEnap€ro (
cina]1rco (
"
,,
(
Meta
(Franz et al., err prensa
Caura
Tucupido (Ramo y Busto,este
trabajo)
Fi$ra
2.
Enbalse de los rios Bocon6 y Tucupido,
La represa alel
rio Bocon6 ya estii finalizada,
Ia de1 Tucupid; estii en
construccion -
Fiqlra
3.
a)
Patr6n ale soleamiento
patr6n ile soleamiento
alatos de:
b)
c)
d)
e)
Ayarzaguena (1980)
SLaton y Dixon (1975)
(1979)
Marcellini
Patr6n de soleamiento de1 cocodrilo
( 1961)
cott
def caimiin en el rio Tucupido.
de ]a baba en tos llanos ;egin
det
Nilo
segin
115
TABIA ]
NUI,IERO Y TAMANO DE LOS CAIMANES OBSERVADOS,
Y TIPO DE SUSTRATO SOBRE EL OUE
ACTIVIDAD
SE ENCONTRABAN
Hora
N&rEro
Cairoanes
Tamai
22-33
?
Actividad
glef__eqta_q919 ji!4gee
sustrato
arena piedra
?
08:15
08:39
09:40
11
11
10:10
10:56
11
13
11:20
13:00
12
13t20
16:07
16132
TOTAL
66
32
43
23
27
l1
116
EMBALSE
Conol d.l.i.rcon!rion
aocoNorro
FI6URA 1
118
!. inr..h.daqr
-
CAIMANESSOLEANOOS€
. - - CAII'ANES EN EL A6UA
F I G I J R AI
119
CAPTIVT FEARTNG OT ORINOCO CPOCODI]-ES ON IIATO
GUARAL - \'ENFZUEIA
M}.S-A
John Thorbj arnarson and
Tonas Blohn
center
tlato Masagualal crocoCilian
Apartaalo 69, caracas 1010_-4
Introduction
pleselve
is
ranch/wildfife
Hato l4asaguaral, an ?.500 ha cattle
The
Venezuela'
state,
Guarico
llanos of
ii the central
i.""t"a
anount of biorogical
been the site of a significant
;;;;h-;";
a
v
tiCe variety ot topics
h
a
s
c
o
v
e
r
e
d
v
'
o
r
k
1
9
4
4
.
research since
and a sreat 'leal
l:otany, studies of invertebrates,,
i;;i;ai;q
stu'lies
of the
including
ecology,
on vert;brate
ot
(
S
t
a
t
o
n
"orL
a
nd Dixon'1975(
C
a
i
m
a
n
c
r
o
c
o
d
i
l
u
s
)
.
spectacleal caiman
over 85 scientif ic publications
rS79T:----o--aate;
i'97?, l'arcellini
have resulted fron wory. on lJato lrasaouaral) '
support of To!r'5s
and financial
through the inltiative
Pecently.
elohn, iato llas;guarial has also becone the site of a captive
a criticarlv
progran for orinoco croco'liles,
and reaiing
;;;;it;
habitats
riverine
in
the
found
endangeied species once comonly
prograrn
reintrocructlon
goal
of
the
principal
The
of tha 11anos.
supported
The work at Pato Mas;guarat is beinq jointfy
schenes.
para
la De
the
FunCaci6n
Group,
;t the rUcli criocodile specialist
society
zoological
New
York
the
{FUDSN}),
flnsa de la llaturaleza
and the Flor.ida State l4useum.
Captive
Breeding
of
Orinoco
Crococliles
has recently,been
The Orinoco Cr:ocodile, Crocodylus inter.nedius,
(l-su
recoqnized as one of the ltor.Lds l2 rrosL endangered anrrars
'lrainage
livel
orinoco
the
on." widespread throughout
isgsi.
in both coLorbia and
!./as iunteal to n;ar extintion
tie crocoaife
then a cor"t\ination
Since
192C-1950.
the
Curing
Venezuela
Period
popufation
recovery
preventeC
has
of poorlv understood factors
an
extrenefy
to
to
cecline
have conlinued
populations
i.a'i"a"i
1evel.
critical
of the
InVenezuela recent concern for the continueC survival
e
f
f
e
c
t ive
s
e
n
i
r
L
(
f
i
i
n
d
e
v
e
l
o
p
i
n
g
n
e
h
species has spurred
nanagement
one
applicable
ptograrT
the
crocodile.
for
.ir..i""tl."
crocoCiles
and re-introducingrearing
ii ciptively
.il.t"uti".
recovery -while it is
areas to speeC population
into protected
is.no solution
itself,
anal
of
in
lreeainq
captive
that
i.otq'""i""a
werl
a
popuLations,
of
viable
su;vival
the
;;;;;i;q
i;;
-rnanased
jfe
proqram of hahitat Ptotectton,
ProperlY enforced--'ri1Ci
can ettecErvely
and crocodile reintroductions
i"qulations
j
a
n
The rodel proqran
p
o
p
u
l
a
t
i
o
n
s'
c
r
o
c
o
d
i
l
a
l
e
c
i
l
r
d
t
e
d
i.Jiiiri".
for this rype ol program
in India has demonstrated the Potential
Gavial i s 93!99lgcus
p3]-g:gig
and
with crocoaly I us gorosus, c .
(sinqh, 1984) ,
12C
The captive breeding prograr: for the Orinoco crocodile
represents
an overall
program, speatheaded by the Conision
Ele
i part_of
Lrocccilidos
o f F U D E N Af o r t h e ) e h a b i l i t a t i o n
of crocodile
populations
in Venezuela.
By l,rorking tooether
!,rith other private
and governnr\ental
otganizations
such as the Universidaal Na;ional
',Ezequiel zamora"
Experimental
de los Llanos occidentales
(IINELIEZ), the Fundaci6n La Safte,
the rnsriluto
Universitarro
de Tecnolo.rfa de yaracuy,
the Sociedad Conservacionista
Aualubon
de Venezuela, and the Ministerio
del Anbiente v de tos Recursos
Naturales
Fenovabfes, FLDENI. hopes Lo create a-n effective
progran for the 5 craocodilian
national
species native
to Venezuela,
The rnajor goals of this progran are to develop and initiate
recovery plans for the two species of crocoalifes
(C. intert\edius,
C. acutus),
and to ensure the proper nanagernent of th;_i.ore
abundant spectacled
caiman (CaiFan crocodilus).
Captive breealing of orinoco crocodifes
has been problenatic
an
the past.
Very few specir.ens of C, intermedius ;re in captivity
(Blohn' 1973) anC nany of tbese r,'e?e Sousea under, suboptiinal
conditions.
The first
captive breedinq r^/as acconplishAd
in
1974 at Cachamay Park, near puerto Oralaz in \renezueta.
(Ramlrez
et al 1977) ivhen 2 fenafes proatuced a totaf
of 56 younq.
Shce
then Orinoco crocoCiles
have bred on Fato EI Frlo,-ovned
bv ur.
fv6n Darto l4aldonado (Apure State) alrd on Hacienda Refuqio de
Fauna Ef Paralso owned by TornSs plohn (Aragua State)
(Biohn1982)
.
Hato Uasaguaral
The establishment
in 1984 of the captive breeding operation
on
tlato Masaguaral grew out of an urcent need to provide a stock
of crocodiles
for reintroduction,
as nell
as a desire to devefop
standardizeal husbandry techniques
which then could be appfieal to
ps !,orp progressed, sturtiii
oLher projects in Venezueta,
were
expanded to include nitd and captive populations
of the
spectacted
caimar, as well as an educational
and traininq
role.
The principal
goals of the current
$ork at lrato lrasaquatil
are;
l)
Provide a stock
protected
areas
2)
Develop
3)
Experiment
of crocodiles
for reintroatuction
and other breeatinq purposes.
appropiate,
vrith
the
low cost
husbandry
feasjbility
of
techniques.
ranching
fnvestigate
the popufation
ecology of qajilg!
aim of developing nanagement recoNltendations
sustainabfe
utilization-
Cainan.
with the
to ensure
Provide a center for trainino
Venezuelan stuCents
biologists
in crocodilian
rrranagement and researc\
6)
And disseninating
technical
12L
infornation
into
on captive
and
real:ing.
vrork has
the captive breeding of orinoco crocodifes,
concerning
progressed steadily
of the first
br.eeding
since the arrivaf
pair in october 1984.
This pair had been kept at Refuglo de
Fauna El Parafso since early 1978, whele the produced 13
h:f.hlihd
in lqFO
Tha.lrrrcnt
stock incluales 5 adult crocodifes
(2 male, 3 fenafe) as well as 9 subaduft fenales nearing
naturiby.
began courtship
established
inrecliately
The breeding pair first
(oct- Dec. 1984).
The female oviposited on 14 Feb.
activity
period of 86 days, the female qtas
lfter
an incubation
1985.
nest
18 hatchling
crocodiles
anal carrying
observed opening the
The young were left
in the adults.
to the water (11 nay 1985).
being
Fleven were removeal in septenber 1985 and are currently
reared in concrete tanks.
Afong lrith
Pen reared
the hatchling
to examin the
hatchling
crocodiles,
econorflic feasibility
Cainan ale
of ranching
being
Cainan.
consjst of a
Facilities
at Lhe r'reeding center currently
four 25 m. x 25 r. crocodife
dornitory/fabor:atory
buildinq,
breeding pens, a large (80 n, x 25 n.) natural enclosure for
pens anC a fooal prepalation
adult Cainan, 7 concrete hatchling
Ilater for the concrete tanks in suplied by
and auI6lEfshed.
water storage systerc.
to a 10.000 liter
windmill
Additional breeding enclosures
and hatchling
!,/i11 be built
during alry season.
and grovt-out
pens
center,
Besiales its function
as a captive breeCing anC rearin!'
work at the Yasaguaral Center is aimed at a nurber of other
to Venezuelan students
is being offered
topics. Training
servants in
Guard officers
anal civil
National
biologists,
For tne
Parks departanents.
the launa Service and National
past tr^'o years, Hato Masaguaral has served as the site of a
managenrent and research techniques,
course in wildlife
training
Thls
Institution.
taught by Dr. B. Pudran of the smithsonian
Plans ale also being
course r,/ill again be taught in 1986.
r.7ith
a short course deaLing specificially
naale to offer
and research
Training
in caPtive propagation
crocodilians.
fror tbe Instituto
for several venezuelan students
techniques
de Tecnologla de Yaracuy has already t,egun.
unlversitario
greatly
The project
has Lenefited
fron support and technical
(tlew York
Peter Brazaitis
advice of a number of indlvialuals:
(
N
a
t
a
l
P
a
r
k
s
D
e
p
t
.
)
and Dr.
zoological
Society(, David Blake
State Museun and chairF.an of the GsG,/
F. I^layne King (F]orida
ssc/urcN).
the work already underway,
fot continuing
f'uture plans call
of Orinoco
stuCies of wild populations
anal afso initiating
iter is to
Perhaps, the hiohest prioritY
crocodiles.
status surveys corbined v/ith
undertake a series of systenatic
Tbe
these
!ti1C populations.
into
the
ecology
of
research
progran
problen that now faces
learing
greatest
the crocoCile
172
and the future
survival- of the species is the lack of protected
habitat,
and adequate enforcep.ent of existing
wildlife
regulations.
with the cocperation of the Ministerio
del lmbiente
y de fos Becursos Naturales
Renovables, and the National
cuard,
it is hoped that adeguate protection
of the crocodile
can be
achieved.
REFERXNCES
1973.
Conveniencia de criar
crocodllidos
e n V e n e z u e l a c o n f i n e s e c o n 6 n - L c o sy p a r a
prevenir su extinci6nProc. Sinp.Internl.
Fauna Silv.
Pesca, Fluv. I-acus, AmazManaus:1-33.
Blohn,
qusbanalry of Orlnoco crocod.iles
1982.
(Crocodyfus interinedius)
in Venezuefa.
crocoalil,es rucN publ. N.s. rsBN 2-8032249- x 267-285.
T.
l4arcellini,
D.
patterns and densities
1979. Activity
of Venezuelan Cairan (Cainan crocodilus)
(Podecnenis Vogli)
and pnd turtles
P-263111
\tavtal-trira
I-^^l^^!,
i-
+he
:Torthern
Neotropics (J. F. Eisenberg, ed.).
Smithsonian Tnsti tut jon, !lashington D.c.
C.C. Castillo
and S.J. Gorzula - 19?7.
Proyecto Venezof ano sobre Cocodrilos.
Herp- Reviei, 8 (4): 130.
ssc, 1985
Species Survival
Cotrunission Newsletter
Na 5. cland Switzerland.
Singh, L. A.K.
1984- Situation
Beport:
India Central
Crocodile b-reeding and nanagement ProjecL,
crocodil€s
IUCN Publ. ri.s. lsBN 2-990329 05 - 1 P . 1 6 5 - 1 7 0 .
Staton,
M.A. and Dixon
1975. Sludjes on the dry season Liology
of Cainan crocodilus
crocoalifus
fron the
venFii6r-an-TfEi6E-,,eil--E6El-iienc.
Nat.
La Salle 35 lLoI) | 23'7-266.
Staton,
M.A. and Dixon
1977.
Breedinq l^ioloov oI the Spectac]ed
Caiman, Cainan crocodilus
crocodilus
in
the Yene;i;6
Lfanos Dep. Int.
FGF I,'iIdI.
Seriv.. I^rildl, Pes. Rept. 5.
1I€ CC!4PII+.TIONOF A GOSS_INDE}€D 'IROPI':4L
BTBLIOEAFIII IOR lHE A4ERICSI{IJ,LTGA'IOR
STUDYOF TRENE IN TI]E ITTERAIURE COI(ERX.iIIiGAN N.IDANGIFfD SPECIES
1. Lehr Brisbin,
JR., Savannah Rive! Ecology Laboratory
P- O- Drawer E. Aiken, South Carolina 29801. USA
Charles
A. ROss,Department of Vertebrate
National
Museum of Naturaf History
Smithsonian Institution
Washington, D.C. 20560, USA
M.c.
Downes, 1? Aflen's
3235, victoria,
Zoology
Roaal. Heathnont
Australia
and
Brad Ganunon, Savannah River Ecology Laboratory
P. O. Drawer E. Aiken, South Carofina2ggol, UEA
Like any other field
of natural
science,
the conservation
and
nranagement of the world's
crocodillans
require
ready access to the
published
literature
and data bases available
for the various
species of concern. Since many crocodilian
biologist
frequently
I^'ork afield
in underdeveloped or remote areas of the Uorld.
obtaininq
access to such literature
and alata resources can often
be a severe problemOver the past few years, the Nationaf
Environmental
Research
Park (NERP) program of the University
of Georgia's
Savannah
(SREL) has compfied and published
River Ecology Laboratory
cross-indexed
workinq bibfiographies
on topics
of relevant
environmental
interest
to several of tbe laboratory's
research
programs (Felly and Smith 1975r Jackson. 1981, Smith et aI., 1982) .
The compilation
of each of these bibliographies
involved
cbtaini4
copies of each of the references
listed
and reaaling eacb in
sufficient
detail to allow it to be classified
as to subjectrnatter,
into one or more categories
of particufar
inportance
to research
species.
These references
on that particular
are then filed
by
accession numbers which allow the retrieval
of listinqs
of all
references
containing
information
on any one or conbination
of
one or more topics.
This report describes
lhe compilation
of a
simifar
cross-indexed
bibliography
for the American alligator
(Alliqator
mississippiensis)
- An overview of recent research on
the American alfigator
conducted at ts}Ie SFEL durrnq the 1960's and
1970's, has been published elsewhere (Brisbin,
1982).
Thls bibliography
for the alligator,
at nearly a final
staqe of
ediling,
nolr contains
with each reference having been
2695 titles,
obtained,
verified,
read and classified
as to subject matter,
into
covers
28 categories
as ]isted
in Table 1. This compilation
the
world literature
from the nld-1700's
throuqh the spring of 1984.
The compilation
of this bibliography
was based in turn,
on an update
of an earlier
biliography
on the afliqator,
which
of 995 titles
124
had been,
9o^pll99. and published
and Brisbin,
1978) .
in
a similar
forinat
(Murphy,
Brown
The compilation
of two successive bibliographies
of the worlat
lit:ralyr:
for the alfigator
permits a cornparison of rhe frequehcies
l,'ith which various topics have been coverea by t}le references
rn
these two collectionsFurthermore,
comparisons of these f!€quelrcies
with similar
frequencies
cafcutateat for only tbose ar-ticles
published-from.
1980-1984, proviale a unique ;pportunity
to compare
cnanges o! parterns
of topic coverage over time. As indicated
in
Figure 1. there has been a noticeabie
shift
over a 6_ye;r perrod
(19?8 through 1984) in tbese patterns
of ropic coveraae- rn rhe
initial
(Murphy, Brown anat Bri;bin,
bib.Liography
1978i, a skelred
pdttern (Figure 1) indrcated that Lhe majority of the
tropics were
dealt with by only a fe!.r papers each, while o;ly a few of the
categories
received extensive
coverage in the literature.
Thts
skewed pattern
of relatlvefy
few corMron topics
anal many rare ones
w a s g r a d u a l l y r e v e r s e d t h l o u g h L 1 . r eu p d a t l n q o f t h e t 9 ? ; J
biblioqraphy
and tbe addition
of nore refeiences
to form the
present 1984 conpilationAs indicated
in Figure 1, those references
published
since 1980 showed an even more equitabte
distribu.ron,
with. most_of those categories
k'hich had reieived
only rare coverage
in the 1978 conrpilatlon
now being addressed in the literature
with
d nuch nore greater
Frequency.
The trends over time ln the frequence of coverage of each of the
specific
categories
are indicated
in TabIe 1. this data shows
,Tnternat
cfearly
tlat
the two toplcs
of
Anatomy,, and ,,cenera]
Pbysioloqy"
dominate the early titerature
on the American atligator.
being addressed by 38.5% and 2'7.42 of atl of the references
cited
in_the 19?a bibliography.
Tl]e wide coveraqe of these two topics
reflects
the intense scientific
interest
that crocodilians
apparently
engendered in the early days of biofogicaf
resea_rch, as a
"missing 1ink,' between the anatornical and physioioqical
complexity
of the more prinitive
reptiles
on the one ha;d, an; tbe nore advanceat
olros on the other. Being one of Lhe mosL easily obtained species
of crocodilian,
the .\.rlerican alligator
thus becane a conllrlon cl,hia^+
for treatment
in rexrs and other ituaies
b;i;
;";p;;;;i;"-;;:;;y
and comparative physioloqy
"f
of the vertebratesThe alecline of alliqator
numbers in the ,{i]at was first
noted by
naturalists
as early as the beqinnings
of the 2oth century,
and by
the 1940,s - 1950,s, rhe firsr
signs were becoming app.r.it
ir., trr"
general world literature,
that alligator
populati;n
ni:mbers in tne
wild_were declining
to seriously
fow numblri.
subsequently,
with
an officidl
recognrtior
of Lhrs problen and the resu-Ltant ticri-^
of the p.lnerican ittisator
"
as an endansered species in reeel-i-marked change became apparent in the aubject matter alealt with by
the r'rorfd literature
on this specres- This undoubtedfy resutteal
from a combination of two factors:
(1) as alligator
,]ir*b...
o"..*"
low in the wild and legat restrictions
were iniosed against their
being taken, it became difficutt
or impossrble
to obtiin
specrmens
for use as subjects
of
studles
rn comparative anatomy or ;hysiology,
and the conmon caiman (Caiman crocodilus),
whose use
,]lt
restricted,
"ru. of such
began to replace the alligator
"o
as a subJect
725
as an enalangered
(2) the official
of the alligator
listing
studies;
to obtain support for
species rnade it easier for researchers
needeal to
in those areas which provided the information
sludies
populations.
wild
al]iqator
manage
conserve and
more effectively
neglected in the
These subject areas. which had been comparatively
in frequency of
afl sholred marked increases
early fiterature.
(some by as much as 500-5002
coverage by the world literature
and incluled
1980-84 citations),
vs.
the
betwee; th; t9?8 compifaton
and
Management",
as: "Habitat",
such topics
"conservation
and
"Mortality
"Reproduction",
"Popula-tion Estimates anal Density",
in
(Table
t}le
changes
l).
Thus.
anal "Food Hablts"
Age structure"
literature
of frequency of coverage of tbe alligator
tie patterns
of both diminisbed
over time (Figure 1) are seen to be the result
research and a
for faboratory
use of the species as a subject
topics
relateal to
to
those
in attention
concomitant increase
(Tab1e 1) '
populations
wild
alwindling
and
manage
to conserve
efforts
may be an extreF€ example of this process,
Afthough the alligator
awareness an'l
shoi{ that public
the daia presented here clearly
species
plight
endangered
of
an
the
of
lega1
recognition
official
on the subject matter covered by t}'at
can have a profound effect
and that moreover, this
pubtisbeal world literature
species'
period of time (in the
short
a
relatively
e_ftect can occur over
To the extent that such
present case, over less than seven years).
of research effort
the proportion
i" subject matter reflect
rtritt.
concern,
the data
of
that is being expanded in these areas
programs anc
presenteal here suggest that world conservation
of research
the allocation
influencing
are eiiectively
leqislation
management an'l
in desireal ways to acbieve goals of effective
efiorts
of endangered wild populationsconservation
Ackool,rleddements
of this manuscript ltas supported by the National
Preparation
Env-ironmental Research Park Program of the savannah River Ecology
(DE-ACO9-?6SR00819) between the
unaler a contract
Laboratory,
of Ecology
Department of Energy and the Institute
United St;tes
provided
to
M'C' Downes
was
Support
Georgia.
of
at the University
Governn'Lent of Papua New Guinea'Research
Division,
by the wildlife
through the kindness of
slace tor c-A. Ross was made avaitable
united
States Museum of
c;orqe zug and clyde Jones of the
to c-A. Ross bv the
was
also
support
Fistory.
Nati;nal
lrovided
the New York zoofogical Societv and
Fund, u-s.A.,
world wildlife
united states Fish and
of Enalangered species,
the office
service.
wifdlife
Literature
cited
studies of the
Jr. 19a2- Applied ecological
Brisbin,
1.L,,
at the Savannah River Ecology Laboratory:
American alfigator
an overview of program goals anal atesign. In: Proc' Fifth
Working Meelinq of the IUVN/SSC Croc. Spec' Group, F'rnKing (ed-). Publ. Intern, Union conserv Nature and Nat' Res'
clanal, switzerland.
r26
Felfey,
,I.D. and M.H. Smith- 1975. A Biblioqraphy
for the o1d_
Fleld Mouse, Peronvscus polionotus
Wagner (Cricetidae:
(DEp- NTrs SREL_5) of rhe savannah
Rodentia) - Publ.
River Ecofogy LaboratoryAiken, SC.
ltackson, J.A. 1981. An Annotated Biblioqraphy
of the Redcockaded woodpecker. publ(sRo-NERp,8) of the savannah
River National
Envitonmental
Research park. Aiken, S.C.
Murphy, P-A., C. Brown and I-L- Brisbin,
Jr. 1978. Bibliography
for the American alligator,
Aftidator
mississippiensis.
Publ. of the Savannah River Ecology LaboratoryAiken,S.C.
Smith,
M.W., C.I. Aquadro, M.r1. Smith, R.K. Chesser and W.J,
Etges. 1982. A Bibliography
of Electrophoretic
Stualies of
poDulationsBiochemical
Variation
in Naturaf Vertebrate
Texas Tech. Press. Lubbock, TX.
I27
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PERCENT
COVERAG
E
131
FI.RIDA ALI.,IGATTR:ECONOI'{ICS, INRVEST, AND CONSERVATION
Hines, T., Abercrombie, C., percival,
F. and Woodward, C.
Wildlife
Research laboratory
4005 c Main Street
cainesvlfle,
FT, 32601, U.S.A,
Past and Present
Status
Throughout much of this century crocodilians
have suffereat
worldwide depletion
because of unrestrained
comnlercial harvest
and habitat alestruction. During the 1950's and 1960's, Florida
popufations
were no exception,
anal it became necessary to extenal
(Alliqator
fu11 legal protection
to the Ame.lcan alligator
nisslssippiensis).
populations
By the mid-1970's
were well on
their
way to recovery-if indeed they had evex been so depleted
as some baal feared (Hines 1979)-- and by 19?5 I'lorida
came and
Fresh Water Fish Commission offices
ere receiving
4,000-5,000
nuisance alligator
complaints
from the public
each year (Hines
During the mid-1970's,
alligator
research
and management
activities
centered
around assesslng
population
status (I,{codward
and Marion 1978; Wood and Humphrey 1983) and developing
techniques
to handle the
nuisance afligator
problem (Hines and
woodward 1980, 1981)- Soon thereafter
more intensiv€
studies of
life
history
anal populatlon
dynamics began (Dietz and Hines 1980),
and by 1981 a definite
commitnent to investigate
sustained yield
nanagement bad beeD made.
Allioator
Prooram Direction
Three basic pernises eventually
came to underlie
these i restiqations.
(1) alliqators
To begin with. we decideal that
woufal some day be
harvested anal that
the constraints
{2) within
of resource
conservation,
harvest revenue would be maximized. Also, we became
(3) a portion
absolutely
convinced that
of the harvest profits
be
returned,
shouLd
alirectly
or indirectly,
to benefit
the
conservation
of the species. we believe
this last consideration
is particularly
inportant
because although the trade in
products has lonq been an econonic,
crocodilian
force worldwide,
little
inclination
or opportunity
has hitherto
existeal for any
revenues to be returned
to the natural
system. Tbe idea of
econotnic feedback
from cornmerciaL wildlife
harvest
to tbe enwirorn€nt
(Palnisano et a]. 1o7t),Fapuahas rcc€ntly bec<rr€ widely recognizeC in l-uisiana
New Guinea (Rose 19e2), a,nd Zirbabwe (.non.1982)
here onqpins crorodrtian
nanagenent pr.grans presentll'
er.ist. F\rrthenure,
in Flonda we ha\..e profosed
that the ccncelt of \ratue-added conservation be explicitltr
lncor?orated
in the
State alhgator
rBrLaqenrent plan.
Research
and Manaoement
program of commercial exploitation
A purposeful
for maximum
levenue carries
adaled responsibilitles
to build a knowledgable
basis for decision
naking- O nsequently.
a long-term managementoriented
population
research
effort
is underway, An alliqator
132
nodef is being aleveloped to serve as a guiate for research and
management. Fully aware that explicit
projection
models are onty
as good as the data they include,
we have set out to test the
harvest concept experimentally.
In 1981 an experimental
harvest of l.2m and larger afligator
was
initiated
in norlh-c€ntral
Florida
on Orange anal Lochloosa
Irakes,
two areas which containn substantial
populatlons
alligator
that
have been extensively
monitored since 1976. The objective
of
these harvests
is to test t}le effects
of specific
removaf rates
and to provide improved data for
a populatj.on model.
In 1981 the Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission, the Floriata
Cooperative
Fish and wildlife
Research Unit, and the Florida
Alllgator
Farmers' Association
project
initiated
a joint
to
aletermj.ne impact of egg and/or
hatchling
removat on alligator
populations.
This study is currentfy
in progress on 4 central
Florida
lakes.
obviousfy
it was alesigned to complement investiqations
lnto the harvest of larger
animals.
Fufl evafuation
of these two experimental
stualies would be
premature- Nevertheless,
based on these investigations,
as well
as several life
history
studies,
we have gained insight
into the
approximate vafues (monetary and demographic) of various sized
alligators.
Using this information
we have diagrarmed the
monetary and alenographic costs and benefits
of a controlled
harvest.
I'he objective
assist wildlife
of our approach is to
managers in designinq harvest strategies
that are economically
and ecologically
optinal.
Eqq and Hatchfinq
Halvest:
Cost anal Vafue
A heficopter,
airboats,
and an egg-transport
boat are typicafly
employed for egq collection.
Nests are tocated by helicopter,
and airboats
are guided toward the nests by an airborne
observer.
Using a heficopter
and 3 airboats,
we have removeal as many as 1,800
eggs in an 8-hour period.
Obviousfy the per-hour costs are quite
high, and in some alligator
habitats
such operations
are not
practicable.
Collection
of hatchlings is most practically
accomplished at night,
by airboat.
Since we generally
attempt to take young alligators
before they disperse fron the nest site,
focation
of nests by
heficopter
has again proved beneficial,
Many nests are inaccessibfe,
pods can not be collected
and their
hatcbling
until
they move to
the open narqin of the fake. Because of this delay, oLrr lEtchting
collection
efforts
are often protracted
over 2-3 monthsCosts for egg or hatchfing
removal depend upon habitat
conditions
popufation
and afligator
density.
Cost per fertile
egg have
thus far averaged about $5. For hatchlings,
expenses have ranged
between 57.32 and $12-86 per animaL. These figures are based on
airboat
operating
costs of $1o,/hr and aircraft
time at $11o/hr.
For these and subsequent analyses,
wages were arbitrarily
figured
at S5lhr.
In actual operations,
some petsonnel have been paid
lessi
some have been paid much more, It should also be noted that
133
planniDg
is requireal
to achieve the above level
of
extensive
Wage costs for planning have not been
economj.c efficiency.
incfudeal in the analyses we report.
farm of raising
a cohort of
The cost to a Floriala alfigator
size has not been accurately
detenirir€d.
alligators
to harvestable
co6ts ale dependent on the number of animals being raised,grolrth
For
rnortality,
capital
investment,
and harvest strategy.
rates,
purposes of this discussj.on? we assume that the farm
starts with
raises them to an average total
length of 190cm
1000 hatchlings.
aluring those 4 years. Baseal
in 4 years, and incurs 102 mortality
farmers.
the
on aliscussions erith a number of Pforiala alligator
per alligator
to harvest size
cost of raising
1000 alligators
slaughter
was estimateal to be S75-S125 depending orl the operation.
costs were estimated to be $30 per animal. Hide and neat marketing
costs ailal another 910 to cost per animal. using the above fiqures,
per-animal
ue arrive
at the following
costs:
cost
of
raising
^^ei
^f
.1.!,^h+^r
cost
cost
of marketing
of collecting
afligator
to
190 cm
products
hatchling
Total
$ 100
30
10
10
cost
from smith's Alliqatox
Farm in 8e11,
Based from harvest figures
7.4
a 190cm alligator
has a 50cn belly wj.dth and yields
Florida,
for farm-raiseal
kg of meat. over the past several years/ prices
proalucts have averaged 93.00,2cn for hides and S11.oo./kq
alligator
for meat. Based on these fiqures,
the value of an average 190cm
is:
afligator
hide
neat
(50cm belly
(7.4k9)
s 1so
width)
81
Total
If one subtracts
estimate the net
value
raising
costs from total
value of a wild hatchfing
I 231
value, then one can
to be approximately
s81.
Hunter
Harvest
Lal<es has
harvest
on ora$ge and Lochloosa
The experimental
330 alligators
larger
provideal an annual harvest of approximately
have been operateal to assure that exact
than 1.2m. Check statioDs
alata
quotas are aalhereal to, that all necessary biological
harvest
i5 recorded.
are colfecteal from each animal, anal that hunter effort
processing
tine for both neat
estimates of per-anlmal
Tn addition
operationaf
anal hide are alocumenteal. Hourly wages anal airboat
costs are fj.guled as above. The average prices are baseal on S49-21
per l-iDear meter for hitles anal $11.02 per kilogram
for meat.
134
Hunter
Harvest:
Cost
ald
Value
It is difficult
to evaluate precisety
the attscrete costs of
harvesting
adult alligators
particular
!.lthin
size_classesHowever, anafysis
of check-station
records for our experimental
harvest indicates
that cost will
increase with the si;e of the
target
alligator-and that for animals larger
than 3 neters,
the rate of increase will
be rapid and nonfinear.
?he approxi.mate
value of an average hunter-harvesteal
anlmal (c. 2.3m) hli oeen
about S200. When the prices
for meat and skin have been high,
very la.ge anirnals ( 3.5m) have generateat total
revenues in
excess of $1000 (I'iqure l).
Value
to
the
Population
In managing the harvest of a wild crocoalilian
population,
it is
important
to consialer lrhich age,/size
cfass will
become the
primary target
of exploltation.
To make this decision
resDonsiblv,
one must consider not only the monetary economics ot harv;st
but
also the potential
value of harvestable
animals to the residual
population.
Any precise evaluation
obviously
demands rather
complete kao\rlealge of crocodifian
popufatio;
dynamics, anat we alo
possess such detaifed
not presently
information
for the American
alligator.
Nevertheless.
we can derive a very approxj.mate
relationship
between alligator
age/size
and alemographic vaiue.
Doing so requires
us to estimate
a large number of alligator
population
parameters.
Most of the values we have used are
employed without
knohrfealge of their
accuracy.
Values for a few
parameters have not been observed at all.
Rather, they have been
estimated - through 'rtriangulation',
by computer simutations
involving
a nodifieal
Leslie matrix.
Another difficulty,perhaps
even more
serious,
is that we do not
yet understand the nature of any
density-dependent
mechanisms by which alligator
populations might
compensate_ for harvest.
In other words, when Ig.lf l-Sg-E g! gCf.
value-!9-!be-population
ggrye (Fioure 2). yg.tf ;hould conslder its
oeneraf
Ehglg rather
dimensions.
!lE!
lLg precise
ID deriving
our curve, we assumed that the onlv imDortant values
were reproductive,
and we atso assuned t}lat, d;moo;aDhicattv
speaking, ma.Les were reproductively
trrefevant.
rhe irorizonial
axis of our graph is demarked by field-identifiable
fife
stages;
i.e.,
it is scaled mostl"I by size. This somewhat unusuaf scate
was necessary because of our determination
to present value 99 g
classes which can be practiaatlv
functj^on of population
taroetea
for exploitation.
In other words, we dial not use age as a scale
because one cannot reasoDably expect conunercial hunters to
discriminate
among animals by age class before harvesting
them.
(Similar
considerations
also apply to the determination
of sex.).
Basically.
then, we alevelopeal our value curve to aaldress questlons
of expected demoqraphic cost upon harvest of a randomly selected
(L). Value v/as assumed proportionat
ahimal of lenqth
t; the
nunber of mature-femafeyears al] alligator
coulal be expected to
iLa
n^h!!rr+i^h
^r
E (v:c)
= K*P(F:c)*(Y.F,c),
where
is the expected value of an anirnal to the population,
E(v:c)
given that the animal is a member of agelsrze class ct
that an animaf
P(I':C) is the probabifity
class ct
of
age,/size
it
is
a
member
that
is
female,
E(Y:F,C) is the expected number of years aD aninaf
given
nature inalividual,
spend as a reproductively
class
to
agelsize
female
and
belongs
animaf
is
the
given
will
that
C.
value of a maturefor the expected
we alo not have gooal estimates
is not lnportant
However, for present purposes. this
female-year.
expected
value is
in
this
that
a4y
variation
lf we can assume
if in the above
class nembership (i.e.,
lndepenalent of aqe/size
I<).
into the constant.
this factor
equation we can incorporate
but our research
correct.
is not strictly
this
Almost certainly,
into our vafue curve because of
that any bais introduced
indicate
rn any case, this assumption
be minimal.
this assumption will
expected
class its refative
allows us to graph for each age/size
(RELATIVE
we
for
convenience,
population
VALUE)
t
value to the
to
value
is
equal
maximum
that
its
variabfe
so
this
have scaled
100.0:
R E I , A T I V EV A L U E f O T C 1 A S S C = 1 O O * E ( V : C ) , / E ( V
).
of our value
The rough estimates which entered the calculation
of
Percentages
a
number
of
sources.
derived
from
curve were
experimental
fenales by size class were taken from Florlda
rates for animals less than 2 years olal
harvest alata- survival
data. SurvivaL rates
from orange Lake recapture
were estimated
estimated from sizeyears
older
lrere
or
animals
2
for immature
Annual
harvests.
and Louisiana
of Florida
class distributions
set at 0.9
rates for mature animals were arbitrarily
survival
crowth rates for animals less than 2 meters were estimateal or
data. Growth rates for
frn orange Lake recapture
extrapolated
and Joanen (1979).
from
chabreck
lrere
taken
animals
larger
assumed to occur at 40 years of age.
sen;sence was arbitrarily
intensively
on
Again we would enphasize the dangers in focusing
the details
of our curve's shape. Nevertheless, the followinq
curve
our value-to-popufation
points seem important
to us. First,
has the basic shape one would expect on generaf demographic
peaked and exhibits
principtes.
Second, the curve is strongly
t}lat sma]l
These
factors
inalicate
skewness,
extreme negative
animals-and very large animals, which are afmost excfusively
Ior
for harvest!argets
appropriate
males-- are particularty
the
same
for
almost
50
hatchlings
example? one can remove
population
cost as taking one 2 meler animal. When this fact is
information
consialered along with the e conomi c s - of-harvest
stand
strategies
altigator
exploitation
presented above, certain
better
than
others.
out as clearfy
136
Dis cussion
At least 3 sets of information
are needed to determine efficient-Lv
the appropriate
size-cfass
target
for commercial exploitation
of;
(Fiqures 1, 2, and 3) . A potentiat
c-rocodilian
population
manager
should understand the relationship
between size ctass anal
expected demographic value to the residuat
popufationSimitarly,
the comrnercial worth of indlvidual
animals from the various size
classes shoulal be approximatefy
known. With this information,
one
can consialer tarqeting
size ctasses with hiqh comnerical_to_
demographic vafue ratiosAmong Floridad
alligators,
for example,
such ratios
are particularly
favorable
with respect to smalt
and very large anlmals. There remalns, however, one crucial
inqedient
missinq from this cafculation.
Those of \'ou who dre
familiar
with Florida
alligato!s
would quickly
poi;r
out that a
commercial hunter would eventually
go bankrupt if he or sbe
hunted exclusively
animats over 4 meters. Certainty
each aninal
in that size class would be worth a great deal on the commercial
market, and certainly
they would alf be reproductively
expendabte
males- But there sinply
are not enough aninats that biq to make
their
exclusive
pursuit
worthwhite
in the tong run. In other
words, a manager pfanning size-class
selective
harvestlno
of a
crocodilian
population
afso neeljs some idea of rhe relarive
abundance of size classes
(Fiqure 3) i
The information
we have sketcheal in Figures 1, 2, and 3 provide
grounds for deciding U!f!!
ErZC cfasses are most appropriarety
targeted
for exploitationThis information
does not, however,
directly
address the question of whether crocodifians
should be
commercially
hunted at af1. As you might expect, ]^re have debated
this most crucial
question among oursetves
a number of ttrmes.
And four very general points have emerged from these alebates
and from our studies of corunercial altigator
exploitation.First,
it is probable that the dynamics of harvested altigator
populations
are influenced
by
several factors
nhich we have not vet been able
to evafuate. Among these factors are the fottowing:
(i) we ao not
know what compensatory mecbanisnrs might operate in an exploited
(b) The wariness that develops in hunred crocoditians
popufatronalmost certainly
provides
some insurance against over exploitation.
(c) Some alliqator
habitats in rlorida
are difficult
to iunt,
and
this problem of access also helps preserve some poputations
from
excessive harvest.
Second/ sustained yield expfoitation
is not universatty
apprcpriate
even where wild crocodilian
populations
can withstand
sub;tantiat
harvest.
For example, it has been suqgested that conservation
and
wlfdlife
commercialization
are incompatibfe
under some socio-ecotlomic
systems (Uope and Abercrombie,elsewirere
in this volume) - FurtheriDre,
Magnusson (1984) points out that ranchinq sone less valuable
crocodilian
species rs slmply no! econonically viabte- As an absolute
nrnrmum, wildlife
manaqers should avoid proposlng strateqies
whicb
inply a net financial
drain or exacerbate social
tendencies
toward
natural
resource destructionTherefore,
the social economics of
any destruction,
Therefore,
the social
economics of any contemplated
harvest scheme should be evaluated before significant
co]Iunitments
to sustained-yield
llanacenent programs are made-
r37
animals varies
alenographic value of individual
Thiral, potential
This is fai more
size class.
be targetable
very substantiallY
than for
species such as crocodilians
the case for long-lived
(e.9.,
deer),
and this
\"/hite-tailed
species
manageal
traalitionally
For exanple, alespite our
harvest implications.
fact has important
demography, we can at least
unalerstanding of alligator
imperfect
not
2m animals will
be certaln
that harvest schemes tarqeting
yie1d.
nraximize sustained
can enhance
of wildlife
that cofiunerciali2ation
we believe
Finally,
are met- (a) Persons involved
only when two conditions
conservation
in
must be encouraged to develop a vested interest
ln exploitation
with
togethe!
staoding populations
substantial
naintaining
(b) A significant
portion
of harvest revenues
habitat.
appropriate
(directlY
and habitat
to
species
or
indirectly)
nrust be returned
conservatron conclusion
species could
commerciaf value of several cocodrilian
?he potential
programs and also generate
conservation
finance sustained-yield
hunan neeals. Eowever,
surplus revenues to address lmportant
programs need a sound
exploitation
sustained-yielal
effactive
reasons)
anal biological
research base since (for social
Toalay we
to overharvest.
vulnerable
are particutarly
crocodilians
In
harvest
studies.
of our alligator
initial
results
have outlined
be
done.
to
remains
much
wort
obviously
as
elsewhere,
Fforida,
stimulate
alDropriate
we hope the Present paper wiIl
Nevertheless,
iliscuss ion.
Referencles
Anon.
of crocodiles
parks policyconservation
1982. National
News
16.214-215science
zimbabwe. The zimbabwe
in
chabreck, R.H. and T. Joanen. 1979. Growth rates of American
35:51-57in Louisiana. uerpetologica
atligators
Deitz,
D-c, and T-c. Hines' 1980' Alligator
copeia 19AA.249-254.
Florida.
nesting
in north-central
in
!.li.es, T.C- 19?9. The past and present status of the alliqator
agencies
Florida.
Proc. Ann. Conf- s.E. Assoc. Fish a wild].
33|224-232 control
in
Hines,
T.c. and A-R. woodward- 1980. Nuisance alligator
wi]al1. Soc. Bull. A13).234-242Ilorida-
Hines,
nuisance
T.C. and A.R. woodward. 1981- A leport on Plorida's
Sym.
program. Proc. Non-game anal Endangered Wildl.
alligator
Georgia Dept. of Natulaf Resourc. Tech. BuIl. WL5. 73-?6-
Magnusson, w.E. 1984- Economics, developing
captive propagation of crocodilians.
1 2 . 1 9 4 - 1 9 7-
138
and the
countries,
Soc.BuIl.
wildl.
palmisano, A.W., T. ,toanen, anal I-.L- McNease- 1973- An analysis
harvest progranr.
of Louisrana's
1972 experimental
alligator
Agencies 27t 144-206.
Proc. Ann- Conf- S-E- Assoc- Fish & wildlRose, M. 1982. Crocoalile management and husbandry in
Proc. 6 Ann. Meet. TUCN.crocodile specialists
Tayfor,
Papua New cuinea.
Group. 13pp.
D. and w Neal. 1984. Management impfications
of sizeclass frequency distributions
in Louisiana
alligators
populations.
wilaf.
Soc. Bull- 12:312-319.
wood, J.M. and S.R- Humphrey, 1983. Analysis
transect
data. univ- of Florida
coop.
Tech- BulI. 5.
Unit- cainesville,
of Fforida alligator
wiId1.
Resource
Woodward, A-R-, and W-R. Marion. 1978. An evaluation of factors
Proc. Ann. conf.
affecting
nights-Iight counts of alligatorss.E. Assoc. rish & wtldf.
Aoencies 32.291-342.
139
c)
F
s'
(/,' ->\\-
&
0)
E
ol
6
6
_5
(l..v
f" s/'s
oor@
QOOOOOOO
(D
Fra)
\i
(t
NOtlvrndodoI 3ntvn
c\l
;
0)
{,
(9
ol
o
s"
r*.+o
-{ 0 S
arta:'
at
uJ
t42
HUNTERS. HTDES, DOLI,ARS, AND DEPENDENCY:ECONOMICS
OF WTLDLIFE EXPLOITA?ION IN BELIZE
Christine
A. Hope,Department of Sociofogy,
Colfege
of
Charfeston,
Charleston , South Carotina
29401, tSA
Cfarence L.Abercrombie*
Departhent of Sociology,Wofford
College , Spartanburg , South Carolina
29301, US?.
* Presente
Address:
Unit
cooperative
Fish & wildlife
11? Newins-ziegler
Research
lnstitute
of Food and Agricultural
Sciences UDiversity
of Florida - cainesville,
Florlda 32611, US!-
Introaloction
As heirs of nineteenth
century progressivism,
Western social
scientists
have until
recentfy
arqued that Third Worlat natiobs
would achieve much-needed improvements in quality
of tife
Lhrough
,,development,'
an almost
organic process of internal,
progressive
(Almond and Powelf 1966. pye and Verba 1065; Rosrow 1960). However.
it is preseotly
difflculir
to discern any general pattern
of natural,
progressive
devefopnent in the tropical
countries.
Recent critiques
of this developrnent theory atribute
its failure
to its insrsrence,
in extrene,
t})at each nation is, and has been for years, an
independent actor on an otherwise empty stage (Era;k 1969, Villamil
1979, wallerstein
19'74, 1,9'79).By contrast ahe crirics,
or
(Wallerstein
dependency theorists
1979) emphasi"e that it is not
possible
to understand what goes on within
a Third World nation
until
one recognizes
the present anal historical
relationship
of
that nation to other internationaf
actors.
Social scientists
applyinq
alepenaiency theory to Thiral trortd countxias
have most often emphasized the effect
cotoniat
of
poficy,
traate
relations,
anal programs of economic devefopment on ioricirltural
unalerdevelopment (e.g. Ashcraft
19?3, Franke and Chasin 1980). ?hev
argue that Third World agriculture
has been shaped by the
industrially
developed 1\rorld to benefit
the industriltly
devefoped
worfd:
raising
crops for export has been promoted over ;aising
food crops for domestic consumptionr cash-crop agriculture
has been
expanded into ecologically
marqinal areas; devefoping forergn
markets for agricultural
products has been stressed io
tbe
detriment
of internal
markets (Ashcraft
1973, Franke snf Clasin
1980. Morgan 1979). Consequently,
the peopte of many Third Worlal
countrles
devote their
major enerqies and resources to providing
inexpensive
agricultural
products (e.g-, sugar. bananal, coffee,
marijuana,
etc.)
for the developed world- Thus they end up in debt
for more expensive manufactured products and, incr-asingl!,
tor
food to sustain
thernselves -
L43
can be applied to the
that a similar
analysis
we believe
of wifd plant and animal species for
cohmercial export.
exploitation
while conservationists
interesed
in such matters bave become
increasingly
sensitive
to the
economics (including
the
preservation
economics)
species
or extlnction
international
of
(National
Research council
1983) , they have not systematically
outfined
how resource exploitation
in a Third world country
exogenous to the national
can be driven by forces largely
Ratber, their
analyses have concentrated
on the internal
borders.
dynamics of the resource in question (e.q., Glastra 1983). often,
an
therefore,
native
are simply defined as the villains
"poaclers"
sucb studies (e.9,, BarboLrr 1976. Loftas 1977. Myers 1978) . and
investigation
tbere is flttle
of the ways in which the poachers',/
hunters'
activities
are linked to the economies of the alevelopeal
wor1d.
This report will
extend the application
of dependency theory to the
by considerinq
tbe specific
expfoitation
of Third world wildlife
hunting in BelizeIn so doing, we sha1l show
case of crocodile
how the \rnderdevelppment process has sbaped the ancient human
and we shafl discuss the social,
econonic,
activity
of hunting,
expfoitation.
consequences of this type of wildlife
and ecological
skinning
we contend tbat tbe whole process of hunting crocodiles,
them, selling,
reselling,
tanning, finishing,
and retailing
the
which exist
hides
provides
a microcosm of the refationships
historiacally
between the underdevefoped Third WorId and the rich,
developed countries.
Methods
We gathered the information
upon t hich this report
is based
during visits
to Belize in the summers of 19'78, 1979, 1980, 1982,
and 1984. As part of our project to assess the status of the wild
populations in Belize. we talked with hunters and
crocodilian
hide dealers throughout
the northern
two thirds
of the country.
In
prior
Efsewhere we
contacts
]ed us to infornants.
places for
asked people encountered on the, road or in other public
(The focal terminology)
anal those
information
about "aIligators"
who hunted them. Data gathered fron interviews,
alonq with
information
alocuments and from individuls
obtained from historlcal
with the international
crocodile
hide trade,
allowed us to
famifiar
construct
a reasonably complete picture
of commercial crocdile
expfoitation
in Befize.
The Belizean
crocodi le-Hide
Trade
gjIlg
1980, the crocodite hide business in Belize operated as
poor/ hunts at night frorn a
Belizean,
typically
fol1ows. A rural
hand-built
dorey- Battery-powered
handlamps are used to illuminate
eye-shines.
The experienced hunter ascertains
the size of a crocodile
than 1 meter) to bring
and, if the animal is farge enough (greater
a reasonable price, k111s 1t with a shotgun. crocodlfes are skinned
place where they were killedThe hides
at a camp close to t}e
are salted and rolled
for transDort
homer the flesh is discarded.
The hunter carries
his croc hides, plus the skins of any spotted cats
to a nearby village.
Here he sells
he may have killed,
all the hides
to the local hide dealer,
usually
a storekeeper
for whom the hide
business is a sidefine.
In 1980, hunters received $4-$5 (a1I currency
per tinear
figures
are in U.S. dollars)
foot
for crocodile
hides.
After gathering
a supply of hides, the loca1 dealer transports
them
to a farger city where he se1ls them to the only man in Belize with a
permit to export hides and skins. Tb,is exporLer, a man of European
descent, pays
the loca] deafer $4-S? per foot for the crocodile
hides
and then reseffs
them to a Belgain holding company for about 910-915
per foot- What happens to the hides next is a still-hidden
part of the
process, but they have usually
been eventually
sofal to an Italian
processing
firm that turns them into bandbaqs, belts,
and shoes- These
products will
be purchased by retail
firms which, in turn,
se]1 tirem
to persons of the norlal's
upper classes.
A seven-foot
crocoilile
can yield products costing as nuclr as 92500
retail.
Of this $2500, the hunter woulal receive about S35 and the
local hide brokers about 915- Very approximately,
the remaining
among the partj.es involved
in the lransport ,processing,
S2450 is divided
and sale of crocodilian
products as fol1o\"/sr S30 goes to the foreign
broker and transporter,
965 to the tanner,
S120 to the manufacturing
Iaborers
and seanstresses,
contractor,
and
$1100 to the manufacturing
To put in another way, 982 of the money
51135 to the retailers.
derived through the processing
of thrs particular
tsropical wildlife
resource circulates
among people in the developed world.
(1976) description
This pattern
fits
alnost perfectly
with Braudel's
of 16tb century merchant capitaf
accumufation.
As noted above, hides
are bouqth cheap. They pass through a chain of midallemen (\./ho do not
disclose
the prices
for which they will
sel1 the hides) and are
processed into expensive luxury gooalsl Materials
which
eventually
can be sold for hiqh profits
in Europe are purchased overseas at
prices
sufficient
the supply. As we shall see, in the
to maintain
supplying
to levefs
country / money inflow
drives resource exploitation
which woufd presumably not otherwise
obtain;
local surpfuses of cash
go to purchase imported, European goods that are sold at
usualfy
profit.
considerable
The dynamics of the exchange system are largely
externaf
to the supplier
area which, over time, is increasingly
gain.
stripped
of its natural
resources without
appreciable
Belize
as an Underdeveloped
Societv
To understand the above process requires
some knowledge of Belizean
geography and history.
Located along the caribgean coast south of
Yucatan, Belize encompasses c. 23000 square krlometers and falfs
mostly
lnto the tropical
moist forest life
zone. The country was
Honduras: it received
complete lndependence
formerly
known as British
.c ^ertral
ir roql
rrr-].a
Arnerican anal Caribbean
neighbors,
BeIrze is sparsely populated,
anal much of the land
therefore
or agricultural
remains avaifabfe
for wlldlife
exploitation
Severaf factors
to the
in Belizean history
are directly
relevant
present pattern
country's
There rtas
of natural
exploitation.
relatively
little
human impact on wildlife
from the tine of Mayan
145
(c. 1000 A-D.) until
population
colfapse
(trorst
the 16th century
1974). However, from the first
days of contact,
Eutopean inrerest
in Belize r^ras aimeal very explicitly
at the
exploitation
of natural
resources,
anal by the middle of the sixteenth
century,
regutar
Iogginq operations
had begun (Ashcraft
1973, Ci:oss 1979, Frosr
1 9 74 ) Like other caribbean societies,
Honduras was createal
British
virtuafly
dg !-gye, in response to the needs of the Old Worfd.The
particular
O1d WorId needs Belize was designeal to fulfill
involveal,
exclusively,
the exploitation
afmost
of forest
resources with
ninimum capital
investment.
This was evidenced.
for exampte, rlr
the minimal pubfic works progran:
because timber was transported
afmost entirely
by water, a system of roads. which could have
linked potential
internaf
markets, was not constructed.
Furthermore,
the general colonial
strategy
affected
the human population
very
directty.
Since early Belize contained too few Amerindians to work
harvest,
the tinber
populated her new ,,co1ony,' with
Britain
imported West Indian slaves (Ashcraft 1973, Dobson 1973). After
(1834) these persons usualfy
emancipation
remained as forestry
wage
Iaborers (Ashcraft 1973)), and,
into the present century, rnany
Belizeans would be more properfy
classified
as low-paid $rork crews
than as colonists.
With exclusive
emphasis placed on forest
products / colonial
policy
probibited
actually
the developnent of
(Ashcraft 19?3). For a1l
agriculture
for at least two centuries
these reasons, British
Eunalurans long ago becanre accustomed to
working for money-- and to eating imported food, wearing imported
clothing.
using inported
tools patterns
These long-term
socio-economic
have persisted
to influence
the structure
Belizean huntingof present-day
Like subsistence
agriculture,
subsistence
hunting simply could not mature, anal the
hunting
of Belize invofves
exploitinq
wildfife
for its
"traalition"
monetary value. presumably loqging crews did occasionally
suppfement
their
imported food with forest
animafs, but in general Belizeans
preferred
apparently
to shoot something they could seIl.
Perhaps
it is significant
thaL the full
alevelopnent of conmercial
croc
products
hunting occurred at a time (c. 1930) when major forest
(IoArrood, mahogany, and chicle)
(colonlal
were losing value
Reports);
it was simply a case of partial
resource-switchingIn other words
comrnerclal hunting in British
Honduras did not grow out of a longstanding
subsistence
hunting tradition
as did commercial fur-trapping
in Canada (Lealcock 1954, Martin 1978, Tanner 1979) and commercial
(Ricciuti
elephant-hunting
in Africa
1980) ; instead, it simply
extended the establislred
Belizean Dractice
of usino the foresc !o
The Hunters
There are certain
similarities
between some commercial hunters in
Befi2e and the traditional
hunters in preliterate
societies- These
similarities
involve mostly wilderness
skifls
and self- identificatio]]-
146
primarily
spend most
hunters,
of the older generation,
some belizean
specifically
identify
season
hunting
and
fishing--anal
of tbe dry
Their detailed
knowledge of both focal and
themselves as "lunters."
to find and evaluate potential
ability
remote hunting areas and their
game on the basis of ninor clues are similar
to skills
of traditional
(Jones and Konner 1976, Laughlj,n 1968, Marks 19?6).
hunter-gatherers
descriptions,
Like traditional
hunters depicteal in anthropological
(up to 100
tong distances
these "master" BeLizean hunters often travel
(often
perlods
a week
kn) and expect to be continuously
afield
for long
Finally,
1il<e hunters in both preliterate
or longer).
{Marks 1975)
(Kennedy 1974, Schole q! g-1.
industrialized
societies
and hiqhly
pleasures of
1973) , these Belizean hunters talk about the intrinsic
away from
hunt--simply
being away from home, out in the wilalerness,
life.
tbe probfens of daily
hunters in Befize
However, there are also a great many part-time
crocodile
and who ale much fess knowledgeab.Ie
who take an occasional
about wilal areas and much fess committed to the hunting way of fife
These men continue to work at another
than are the master hunters,
job (usua1ly wage labor on plantations
projects)
or on road-building
even during the dry season and go hunting after ltork, on hol-idays,
junt
or wtren their
work takes them into wild areas. They typically
by road, and they hunt aninals
only in areas easily
accessible
of afl types.
master hunters in Befize are alifferent
from traditional
Even the
hunters in rnost respects.
some of our informants
subsistence
buth c€rmErcial
or with lheir
father,
nrentioned huntinq with a brother
huntinq 1s for the most part a sofitary
enaleavor. There
crocodile
hunters,
organizations
of crocodile
and informaf
are no fornal
rare. In our experience,the
contacts between them seen to be rather
home
are not known for that in their
nen who hunt crocodiles
own relativesand neighbroloods-sometimes not even by their
village
crocodile
hunters did reveal a few sqErstiticns
Although individual
there was little
of shared
about crocodiles
and hunting,
evidence
beliefs,
synbols,
or ceremonies among the commercial hunters with
whom we spoke hunting.
especially
for Iarqe
By contrast.
traditionaf
subsistence
is often done by ]arge groups of men and boys, sonretimes
animals,
(Marks 1976) - Typica]ly
the reputation
organized into hunting guilds
of each hunter is widely shared comnunity knowlealge- hunting in such
js often surrounded by a variety
ceremonies
of
synbol-rich
societies
preparation
and sharing the
for huntinq,
hunting itself,
and beliefsr
provide major organizing
from the
fruits
of the hunt frequently
entire conrnunity (Marks 1976, sackett 197o, Tanner I9?9) examples
In some senses, the Belizean clocoallle
hunters are classic
of alienated
labor.
Some of this rs evident in the vexy language
they use. Hunting is referred to as "the job" (as in "I have been
years now"), and potential
hunling
locations
doing the job for forty
are evaluat€d on the basis of how much cash they can expected to
yiefd ("I could have a thousand-dolfar niqht there")Their work is
unlike
larqely
a means to an end rather than an end in itself.
(Jones and Konner
societies
hunters in at least some hunting-gatherinq
1976) , Belizean hunters generally
observe animals only in order to
learn how to hunt them more efficientlyFor exanple, most are unable
to identify
them
and locate crocodile
nests or even to alistinguish
r41
frorn tbe nests of iguanas. Typically,
hunters have direct
use onlv
for the money they make from hunting
and not for the anirial
products per se- Tlis is true even for those few hunters who
preferential.ly
pursue aleer, peccary? or pacar they sefatom consume
the neat but rather se]l it in the farger towns - Crocodite
hunters
have only vague ideas about wlere the hiales are sent after
the
local dealer buys them, and littte
knowlealge about the finaf
use
of the bides ("What is an alligator
skin reafty
good for anyway?,') Without knowledge of wortd prices
(the Belizean
and trends
niddlemen also lack such knowtedge),
the hunters are not in a
position
to decide when to hunt intensivefy
and when to cut atown
o huntinq to maxinize financial
qains- Similary,
hunters have
littfe
power to bargain for a better
price.
In essence. althoucrh
they have considerable
freedon in day,to-day
working conatition;,
they
absolutfy
lack control
over the products of their
tabor.
lntraditional
hunting-gathering
societies.
the fruits
of a
successful
hunt are often shared with af] menbers of the coNnunity
(l,eacock 1954, Marks 1976, Sackett 1979).In
contrast,
Iittle
of
the money received by Belizean croc hunters finds its nray into the
"less aleveloped" sectors of the Iocal economy- Interview;
indicate
that for most Belizeans,
hunting is just about a break_even
proposition.
Many of their earnings, therefore,
go to purchase
inported
goods (batterles,
shotgun shells)
neccesary to support the
next hunt- The remaining money is spent partialty
within
the tocal
community and partially
for inporteal food and consumer qoods.
Consequences to
the
Resource
The method of resource exploitation
introduced
by colonialisn
anat
carried
out by the conunercial hunters today probably has ecologicat
consequences as wellMost subsistence
hunters understand that they
just so many anintals as food, and indiqenous
can utilize
subsistence-hunting
traditions
may lnclude customs and taboos
helpfuf
in preventing
overexploitation
(Mari(s 19?6,
of wildlife
Rappaport 1968). There is some evidence to suggest that subsistence
hunters nay (for reasons somewlat more conptex than a simpte
caloric
budget) adjust their
hunting effort
so that returns per
unlt effort
remain constantNietschmann (19'72), for example, found
that when hunting pay,offs
dropped betow c . 0 . 7kglhunrinq_i1our ,
Mlskito
Indians began to alecrease their
truntlnq effort.
Smith,s
,'agrovitasi atong the trans_
(1976) study of three similar-sized
Amazon highway is more directly
suggestive.
Where prey density had
been reduceal, hunting effort
also contracted.
Therefore,
atthough
total
hunting take varied greatty
across the villaqes,
take per unat
effort
remained remarkably conslantCtearty these mechanisms could
be important
in preserving
poputations
of exploited
species.
Tlre stability
projected
above for a simplifled
s ubs i s tence-hunt rng
model does not necessarify
persist
in a comerciat_hunting
system
such as tle one in Belize.
To begin with,
there are no obvious ul)per
limits
to the amount of cash a hunter might desir:e to accumufate or
spenal- Also, the closed-system
modets which
appty to many
subsistence
huntinq situations
are fundamentatly
attered when their
feedback loops are intercepted
by exoqenous information
from a
,Larger system- For example, the v/orld economic system may set
14S
new values for prey units.
thereby changing the amount of huntinq
effort
a given prey density wilI
motivate.
For k-selected
anlmat;
like crocodilians,
such destabilizations
are ]iketv
to be
catastrophic.
conclusion
Thus far,
a number of forces have combined to preserve the
Befizean crocodile
popufation
from imtnediate atanqer of extinctionThe relatively
late start
of extensive
co).nrnerciat hunting.
afong
witb the fact that many areas of the country are stitl
itaccessibte
by road (an ironlc effect of Betize,s particular
type of
underdevelopnent)
have combined to
assure Belize a continuinq
source of crocodiles
in the short term. Intensive
crocoalile hintino
has not involved many people since c. 1982- However, this situatro;
could change rather
rapidly
if Betize experiences
an economic
recession with resulting
unemp_toymenr, if the price of crocoatile
hides qoes up for even a brief
perioat, if good roads are built
into presently inaccessible hunting areas, or if there are severaf
lono, consecuLive dry seasons,
A fe\r countries
in the worfat have begun to experiment with
exploiting
crocodilians
as a long-term
source of national
income by
instituting
managedi sustained yield harvest operations
(Hlnes qg q!1984) or by establishinq
farms to rear tbe animals (Ashfey in press,
cardeilac
e! eI- 1981. cee in press, Fose jn press). There is
littfe
in Belize's past or present to suggest that such projects wilt
take root there.
The najor buyers of hides have many other sources
anal, of course, have a stake in keeping the nore tucrative
parts
of the process located in Europe. Local hide dealers are witfing
to
make money off crocodiles
v,,hife it is convenient,
but thev ca.
easify
shift
to other money-lnaking schemes lvhen the crocodifes
are gone. They (and the hunters)
lack the caDital
and exDertise
needed to manage sustained yield exploitatio;.
llhite the master
hunters note the diminishinq
supply of crocodiles
!,/ith sone regert,
the entire historical
pattern of resource exploitation
in Befize
has rdughl Lhen to make money on wha+ever they .an wherever
they can (if lbSI don't get the remaining crocodiles,
others uilt).
As in so many other ex-coloniat
situations,
Betize wiII be teft
witho\rt a resource and with no perceptible
gain.
T.i r ar:
+,r ra
Alnond,
.r
+aA
c. and c,B. PowelI. 1966- Conparative
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ALLIGATOR
NESI FLOODTNG TN THE SOUTHERN EVERGLADES:
A METI]ODOLOGY FOR MANAGEMENT
Terri ifacobsen and James A- Kushlan
TnstiLute of Ecology, Unlve16iLy of
Georgia, Athens, ca- 30602,
and
Department of Biology.
East
Texas
State University,
Ccftrerc€, 'I\.
75428
Introaluction
The nanagement of natural
resources in relatively
affluent
countries
such as the United Stetes is generally
uncomplicated
.by a need fo!
tlre resource to generate revenue. In areas such as Everglades
National
Park, located in southern Florida,
policy
a preservationist
is manalated by law, such that the Evergfades is viewed as a
resource to be nanaged solely
for its perpetuation.
The Anerican
(Allioator
alfigator
mississippiensis)
bas an important
ecological
(Kush]an 19?4) and is fundamental to the
role in the Everglades
processes qoverning the marsb
continuation
of the naturaf
ecosystem- In that the alligator
is not t.o be viewed as a han€stabfe
ecological
rather
than economic criteria
for
are crucial
its survivafManagement objectives
for the Everglades alligator
include the preservation of it's
role in the ecosystem, in this
way maintaining
the Everglades ecosystem for future generations.
During our eiqht-year
study of Everglades alliqators,
fluctuations
in environmental
conditions
have provialed us uith opportunities
for natural
experimentation
- Research has focused on describing
the responses of the alligator
to the primary human inffuence
on
the system, that of an altered
delivery
of surface \"rater into the
park. With the construction
of extensive
deep-water canals
throughout
the Everglades watershed, !.rhlch drained surface water
Evergfades
and halted overland surface flow, the water now enterilrg
quality,
Nationaf
Park is not only of artificial
having by-passed
processes available
the natural
filtering
in the marsh system,but
the flow is entirely
controfled
by four flood control
gates along
the park's northern border (Fig. 1). Of concern to this research
are the effects
of the tining
and extent of water flow on the
Everglaales wetland ecosystem, and in particufar
on the alligator.
In this short report we discuss one aspect of our study, the
flooding
of alliqator
nests, which reacbeal nearfy 100% in two
years of the study. Of interest
was whether nest flooding
was a
natural
and in what frequency and extent itwas
occurrence.
likely
to the alternation
to have occurred prior
of water flow
patterns.
geared toward
We undertook a predictive
modelinq effort
Here we sununarize the results
addressing these questions.
of our
anafyses, empbasizing the implications
for the management of the
Evergfades ecosystem. This report abstracts
the results
of a
complete report
as yet unreleased by the South Florida
Research
Center (Superintendent,
Everglades Nationaf
Park, Homesteaal/ Fl.
33030, U.S-A.), in which is contained the aletaifed statistical
drawn here.
analyses that support the concfusions
Methods
Everglades National
Park is located in extreme soutlwestern
Florida,
USA, and contains about 1.5 milfion
hectares of Everglaales habitat,
incfuding
freshwater
pinelabds.
marshes, mangrove estuaries,
hamnocks, and open bays. Infornation
on alligator
nesting success
was collected
in a 10-km2 area in the Shark River Stough, tbe major
akainage area for surface water flow into the park (Fig- 2) . Other
l0-kn2 areas of marsh dlstributed
along the length of Shark Slough
were studi.ed with fess intensity,
as was the lower end of Conservation
Area 3A (Fig.2).
Aftbough most information
was collected
in the
primary study area, this area reflects
average retationships
among
water conditions
and alligator
nest ffooaling tlroughout
Shark
Slough, a contention
demostrated by the fact that the extent of nest
flooding
aluring our study period
in the primary
study area approJdnatd
the average nests ffooding
in otber study areas in the northern
and
southern parts of Shark Slough.
We aletermined the number of nests each year from l9?5 to 1982 using
fixed-wing
aircraft,
helicopters.
and ground searches. In the primary
study area, all areas not visible
from the air were searched
thoroughly
on foot to provide complete counts of all nests. These
ground searches alloweal us to cafculate
that 13.9 percent of the
nests present were not spotted during aerial
surveys.
We measured all but five nests built
from 1975 to 1982 in the primary
study area (n=71) - Al one nest an aggressive
female preventeal us from
approaching on the ground, and four other nests were not located
prior
to hatchingEggs in each measured nest were counted and examined
for viability.
The time of egg deposition
was estimated
from eggs
collected
from each nest using embryological
timing criteria
(in prep.).
developed by Grabowski et a].
At each nest visac we
noteal the habitat
of the nest and took several measurements (Fiq.3),
inclualing
the height of the nest above the plevailing
water fevel
at the nest site,
the distance
from ttre top of the nest to the top
of the egg cavity,
and the depth (extent)
of the clutcb or egg
cavity.
From these measurements we calculated
tbe height of the center of
the clutch
above the lrater levef at the time of measurmement- We
then expressed the clutch heights
as
leve1 elevations
(m I'ISL)to correspond
in meters
with the units
of stage nEasurErFnt.
Water stage data (m MSL) uere recoraled daily within
the primary
stualy area. and we calcufated
mean stage vafues from these daity
readingsWater conditions
varied over tbe study period anal arnong the
study areas. Such water fevel variability
is an inherent
characteristic
of the Evengfades system, and each year provj.ded us with a temporal
experiment on the effects
of water fevels on alfigator
nesting.
Air temperatures
were recorded
the climatological
station
located
along the northern border of the park. We use the midpoint
between
the recorded ninimum and maximum daily temperature
to approximate the
daily mean temperature.
Results
NESTING PRODUCTMTY. Afligators
reproduce durtng a nesting season
wtrich is relatively
consistent
and predictable
from year to year.
Nesting of the afligator
in the Everglades takes pface aluring the
boreal surnner. From 1975 to 1982, the average alate of egg_lating
(n=71 nests) was 26 June (s=11 days). with the earliest
;esting
recorded on 9 ilune and the latest
on 2? July.
The average date of
egg laylng occurred one month after
the average beginning
of the
raany season as water levels were rising.
The nesting season,
therefore,
seems to reflect
a balance in selective
pressures.
Nesting occurs late enough in the year to coinciile with the hiqh
ambient temperatures
needed for incubation
but early enough for
hatching
to occur before seasonal water levets usually peak,thereby
reducing the chances of nest flooaling.
Egg aleposition generally
occurreal from late June to early July.T})e
mean faying date aliffered
significantly
anrong the years fron 1975
to 1982, and was strongly
correlated
with spring air temperatures.
The nean annual egg-laying
date can be predicated
by the nean
tenperature in April and the^mean temperature in May-June using
y = 2 4 1 . 6 2 - 5 - 4 5 X 1 _ 2 . 1 8 x 2 , { h e r e ^i
the following
relattonship:
is the estimateil
laying date expressed as the number of days after
May, X1 is the mean daity air temperature in April
(.C) , and X2 is
the mean daify air temperature
in May-June (6c). Il1 general,
i1:
appears that alligators
nest earlier
following
a warmar spring
season and delay nestinq jn cooler years.
Ior alligators
in the soutbern Everglades,
the average cfutch size
during our stualy v/as 30 egqs (mean=29.'t, s=7-52, n=19e nesrs). and
the annuaf nesting effort
from 1975 to 1982 ranged from 16 to 58
percent of the known-breeding
females, with an average of 29 trrrcant
of the females nesting per year- The clutch size and nesting
effort
are substantially
fower than in Louisiana
or North llorida
(Joanen 1969, Dietz and Eines 1980, Joanen and McNease 19?3). In
fact,
the annual nesting effort
in the Everglades is less thao
haff of what it is in Louisianar{e are studying
the possible
causes
and effects
of the lower proaluctivity
xate in our ongoing anatlses
of the population
ecology of Evelgfades alligators.
A fower clutch
size means tbat EvergLades alligators
bave a lo\rer
annual reproductive
potential
than do other poputations
studied.
Given a 25 percent lower clutch
size and a 50 percent tower nesting
rate,
an Everglades alligator
appears to produce on average one
third
as many eggs per year (5.0 viable
eggs per nature female per
year) as do Louisiana
(15-9 viable
alligators
eggs per mature female
per year, Joanen 1969) - As a result
fewer hatcbtinos
are Droatuced
per nest in the Everglaalesmay mean that the Everg]_ades
population
alligator
has less"hrs
abifity
to buffer
the adverse effects
of mortallty
agents effecting
nesting success anal productivity.
A
single egg nay? therefore,
be of a gieater
vafue t; the stabiiity
of the Everglades popufation
than it r\,ould be to other ipopulations
so far studied.
Thus, any factor
affecting
nesting succ;s; woulal
nave a relatively
greater
impact on poputation
tevels of Evergfaales
alligators
than they woutd on such oah;r poputations.
155
The single most crucial
factor
in nest success in the Everglaales
is nest flooding.
The loss of eggs by flooding
resufted
in an
average annual foss from 1975 to 1982 of 2?.9 percent (s=3?.1
percent)
and a meallan loss of 5.4 percent.
In years when little
or no nest flooding
occurreal, water levels did not reach
relativefy
high levels during the suiuner nesting season. In 1975
and 1977, floodlnq
occurred onfy in two particularfy
tow-lying
nests- In two years when flooding
1,'as significant,
1979 and 1982,
ffooding
was attributed
to an unnatural
increase
in water
alischarge levels PREDICTING AND MANAGINGNEST FLOODING. The ability
ro anticipare
the occurrence and predict
the extent of alfigator
nest ftoodlng
would permit appropriate
water management decisions
by managers
of Everglades Natlonal
Park. To this end, we have develooed a
method by which we can predicthe
extent of nest floodlng
in a qrven
year. For anafyticaf
purposes, we define clutch height as the
height of the center of tbe egg cavity.
A nest in considered to be
flooded if the ambient water fevel reaches this pointWe can
predict
with ease whether any particufar
nest wilI
be flooaleat in
any year during our study b1' comparing its clutch heiqht to dny
water 1evef. I'or our model to be predictive
outside of the time
of our st.tidy, however, we .r',rouldneed to know the clutch heights
of all nests constructed
each year, and this cao be done by neans
of a predictive
relationship.
During the study period,
we found tiat
clutch heiqhts differed
signiflcaEtly
among years (r'=7-11, p O-001, df=?;63) , and that
we could predict
tle mean annual clutch heiqht by uslng the
water levef during the last two weeks of June, the period when
nests construction
(Y = 0.663 X + 0.899, r= O.q51,
is occurrinq
p 0.001, n=8 years). Wha- this retationship
implies is that hiqher
water levels during the earfy sumner correlate
with nigber ctutch
heights.
The mechanism for this appears to be a multivariate
response in nest constructionWe can account for 92 percent of the
varlability
in cfutch heights during our stuaty and can atrroure
46 percent to flexibility
in the height of the site chosen for
nest constructlon,
43 percent to the height of the eggs within
the
nest mounal, and 2 percent to the beight of the rnound itself.
Thus,
under conalitions
of hjgher water levels during the nest
construction
process,
alligators
appear to be choosinq higher srces,
placing
egqs higher in the nest mound, and to some extent builalinq
higher nounds.
With this information
we have constructed
a nrodel which inctudes
both the linear
response to higher 1{ater levels and thxesholds
beyond !,/hi ch alligators
are unable to compensate atue to the
limitations
(Fiq. 4) - civen
imposed by the low-lyinq
marsh habirat
this model, we can estimate the clutch height of all nests 1n any
year by inputting
water conditions
characteristic
of earlv sumer.
Eloodrng exLent car Lhen Le deternrned by exanrr rng Lhe r;xinun
water fevel achieved durinq the incubation
period.
156
There are at least four uses of such a model tbat predicts
nest
flooding.
First,
the model can be used after
a current nesting
season to estimate the amount of nest floodinq
occurrino
as a
result
of tbe highest water levefs reached th;t year. S;cond,
upon anticipatinq
a rise in sufiher water levefs in the park as
a result
of a management action or a change in upstream water
conditions,
a manager could predict
the impact on alligator
nesting success. Third.
if critical
water fevels r"rere derived
frorn computer simulation
using hyalrologic nodels, the effects
of
simulateal hydrologic
scebarios
on afligator
reproductive
success
could be assesseal- And fourth,
the model permits estimation
of
historical
nest losses.
including
those that occurred before
int.ensive water management began 1'[e noted earlier
that our modef uses alata from the primary study
area as being indicative
of conditions
throughout
Shark Sfough.
To support this,
we compared the observed nest ffooding
data in
the primary stualy area with the estimated nest flooding
in study
areas I and V, located in the northern
and southern enals of Shark
(Ilg,
Slough, respectively
2) . In one year ffooding
occurrect in
all areas, with a 44 percent nest floodinq
in the primary stsudy
area/ 79 percent loss of nests 1n area I, and 25 percent loss of
nests in area V. Thus / in years when flooalinq occlrrs, results
fron the primary study area appear to be about average for both
upgradient
and downgradient areas, and can accurately
represent
nest flooding
throughout
Shark SloughHISTORIC NES? IOSSES- By extending the use of the flooding
model
period,
to historic
we can compare and evaluate the recent effects
of water management practices.
We calculateal
the estinated
nest
Ioss to flooaling that occurred historicafly
beqinning
in 1953,when
(Frg. 5) . lie found that the
hydrologic
data first
became available
extent of nest flooding
has increased considerably,
from an
estimaLed annual foss of 4 percent under naturaf,historic
c€naliticEs,
to a recent annual loss of 20 percent,
rising
by a muttipte
of five
l i m e s s i n c e a c t l v e w a t e r m a n a q e m e n tb e g a n i n 1 9 7 1 . B y o u r b e s t
estimates
deriveal from our model
it seems that nest losses to
flooding
did not at any time approach 100 percent aluring the bistoric
period of data available
to us. The estimated maximum flooding
reached just
33 percent in 1966. The nearly complete ffooding
of all
nests that rire observed in 1981 and 19a2 was apparently
unprecealenteal
during bistoric
time.
What then is the fundamental cause of the water level conditions
that flood alligator
nests and how have these conditions
changeal
since scheduled lrater deliveries
began in 19?1? We approached this
question by evaluating
the predictability
of the Evergtaites
(1953 to
hydrologic
system- We found that durinq tle historic
period
1962) , the maximum summer water fevel,
which was the water level
that would potentially
fIooal alligator
nests, was highly
correlat.ed
- water ]evel in the last two weeks of June. and
with two variables
alischarqe in June and Juty. Historically.
much of the variability
ln maximum suinmer water levels
coufd be attributed
to antecealent
hydrologic
conditions
that prevailed
in each year, and primarily
to
water fevels in late June, which alone accounted for over 86 percent
(r=0.928, p 0.001, n=10) (Fiq. 5). Thus, the
of the variability
maximum water levef that occurred durinq the risk period for
L57
nest was predictabfe
from water
affigator
nest
construction,
the same conditions
of
significantly
with annual clutch heights.
conditions
during
that correlate
the time
The relationship
between water levels aluring the early summer and
the maxirnum water levels
reached during the risk perioal breaks
(Fiq. 6).
down after
19?1 during the recent water management period
From 1971 to 1981, the maximum water 1eve1s during
the incubation
period were no fonger refiably
predictablewater
fmportantly,
level during tbe last two weeks of June from 1971 to 1981 had no
to maxlmum summer water leve1s. From thls analysis
severaf
relation
points
can be made. First,
there was at one time a relationship
between water fevels during the critical
time for initiation
of
(early suiLmer water levels)
and those water 1evels
alligator
nesting
nests ( sunftrer maximum water
that threaten
flooding
of alligator
levels).
Floodinq conditions
under contemporary water managernent
practices
by water conditions
in early
can no longer be anticipateal
sumner- The unnatural
occurrence of high late summer discharge into
in .recent
Everglaales National
Park has leal to increased nest flooding
years, in part through disruption
predictabilitsy
of
of the natural
the Everglaales hydrologic
system,
Dlscussion
Public oplnion of the alligator
is important
to its preservation,
a
biologistsone
vielr that is weff-recognized
by crocoalilian
population
view of the alligator
is that its status no fonger needs
in
to be a matter of concern. ,f,acobsen and Kushfan (in prep.),
their
review of the alflgator's
status relative
to the managenent
of problem alligators
in the park, summarized how legal protection
for alligators
has loosened considerably
in recent years. The
status arises because in
current popufar view of the alligator's
recent years most populations
have benefitted
from legal protection
from the Endangered species Act, and have largely
recovereal from
the effects
of huntinq and their
subsequent decline
in numbers.
Recovery in parts of rlorida
has been cited in a request by the
State Game and Fresh Water Fish Corunission
to reduce the
alliqator's
status to "threateneal by sintilarity
of appearance".
under the responsibifily
thus bringing
alllgator
management completely
harvest program in north
of the state.
currentfy,
an experimentaf
Ilorida
the state's
intention
to nanage the alligator
as
reflects
harvestable
a commerciafll
resource popufations
There is a temptation
to assume that because alligator
appear to be resilient
in some areas. threats
to their
continued
survival
no longer exist.
A reclas s i fi cation of alfigators
throughout
populations
Fforida
includes
in southern Florida
and in Everglades
National
continue to exist.
The long-term
Park, where threats
proaluction in the wetlanals of southern
ef,fects of limited
alligator
Fforida
are made evident by contrasting
the relative
size of the
afligator
nesting population
in areas of the Everglades that have
haal a history
of unnaturally
high water condit.ions,
such as the
southern end of Conservation
Area la (Fiq. 2), with that in southen
Shark Slouqh, using aerial
nest censuses as an index for comparison-
158
In most years, nesting in the deep water marsh of Conservation
Area
3a was very limited.
On the average the nesting poputation
there
was less than 10 percent of that in the shatlower
and more typically
fluctuating
marshes in the park- The fack of production
in a targe
geographical
area such as Conservation
Area 3a realuces considerably
the potential
size of the total
Everglades altigator
pop\rfation.
Should high water regimes become prevalent
in the park. lre could
expect that similar
dislocations
and reduction
of the alligator
popufation
would follow.
The encroachment and subsequent ]oss of
f-ormer willow ponds ln nearby Conservation
Areas reflect
in part
the foss of adult alligators
there- This inadvertent
experiment in
water management should provide insight
into the future
of the
populatioh
alligator
in Everglades NatioDal park if product_ivity
is
not maintained at historic
levels
through proper water rnanagementIn the Everglades,
alligators
are often seen in artificial
ponds
and borrotr pits in visitor
use areas, where concentiations
dre
usually
apparent ollly during dry months. Seasonal nunbers reveal
fittle
about the biological
heatth of the Everglaales altigator
popupulation.
Even though felr animals are being added to the
population,
the visibility
of o1d adult altigators
may distract
from
what othed"rise woutd be a major concern. Current adverse impacts
on the long-tern
population
status of such a long-1ived
species
may take decades to show their
effect.
Thus , one slroulal not casually
extend reports
populatidr
of alligator
recovery in some parts of Florida
to incluale the status of the
alfigator
in the southern Evergfades,
and in Evergtades National
Park in particularour studies
inalicate that allioators
in the
Everglades marsh may face pressures unusual rn oth;r
poputations.
Maintaining
an annual pulse of young alligators
into the system by
avoidance of unnatural
nesting failure
woufat seem to be criticaf
previous studies nodefing
to maintaining
the aalult population.
hunted crocodifian
populations
have demostrated that continual
production
of young is critical
to poputation
stability.
In fact.
those models sbow tbat factors
that aredetrinental
to the D.oduction
of young have a greater effect
on lonq-term populatron
]e;ets
than
do factors
such as huntinq and alrought that affect
aI1 age classes
(B]omberq et a]. 1980, Niahols et ai. 1979). The lono-te;m effect
of nest floodrng and Lhe loss of youno in the
Everglade alligator
population
must be determined in a similar
way. It would seem that
these modef findings
may be partic\rlarly
refevant
in the Everglades,
where fluctuating
water fevels potentially
tbreaten
tbe successful
production
of young alligators
by flooding
nests- Consequentfy,
managing to prevent unnatural
nest failure
is crucial
to the londterm survival
of the alligator
popufation
in the Everglades
ecosystem, and should such management not be undertaken one can
expect continued deterioration
of ecosystem processes in the
Everglades.
Literature
Cited
Bfomberg, G-E-D., C- St. pierre,
K.D. Smith, S.M. Cade11, and S.R.
Pett.
1982. Sinufated
poputation
dynamics of crocodites
in
proc. of 5th
the okavango River,
Botslrana. IN crocodites
working Meeting of crocoalile specialist
Group, cainesville,
Ffa159
Deitz,
D.C. and T.C. Hines- 1980. Alliqator
Florida.
copeia 198012) t 249-258 -
nesting
in
north_central
proc.Toanen, T. 1969. Nesting ecology of alligators
in Louisiana.
Ann. Conf. Southeast Assoc. came and Fish Conun. 23: 141-151.
;Ioanen, T-, and L. McNease. 1973. Developments in alligator
research
in Louisiana
since 1968. Presented at symposium of the
American alligator
council Winter Park, f']a. 20 p. (nimeo).
Rushlan,
J.A. 1974. Observations
(Alfiqator
nississippiensis)
copeia 1974:993-996.
Nlchofs,
on the role of the
in the southern
Anrerican alfigator
Ftorida wetlands.
J.D.. 1-- Viehman, R.ll- Chabreck, and B. Fenderson. 19?6.
Simufation
of a corunerciafly
harvested alligator
population
ln Louisiana.
Louisiana State University
Center for
Agricultural
Sciences anal Rural Development. 59 p. (mimeo).
160
N80
-r99
P.i9
i5A
qE8
6 F=<
a -T
o); i
Y.Z
uJ
;
.
o€'
,E o3
EJ g-8
.q
E . OE E
H F 99
! qdd
$-\e.--
r
]-BE
'
F P ""b0
.X d B-1
i. ,n i/i a
iz^
r> E.
161
CONSERVATION.,AREAS
VoUc,
Conol
I
\l
1______i
NORTHEAST
SHARK
SLOUGH
\'
\
L_-1
Por* Eo.tndort-
- -
LcvCC
Figue 2: I,lap of sorth laorida sholring the focation of five alligator
study
ar€as (nunbeed :rectar€fes)
in Shek Slough, Evaglades Nationaf Park, ard
neanby focations.
Consewation areas 34 and 38 to the ncr?th at e separated
frcrn Slla].k Slough in the Ever:glades National Park by levees.
162
r+t
ol
ol
I
uJ
o=
*
E.A
3
IJ
c't
I
z6
(-zi
o4
v=
o.O
EE
id -l
0)
888
-loo
ta.
P o,Si
z
,o)!
!! r!
bp ,.1 + p
163
Mox
Clutch
Height
Min
WoterLevel
Figur- ,: Scnen t'c d;dgrdn o' n-sr flood ing. il_usb^aEing
l.Lnedr coope'rsdr.lon ir cluL-t he_Ahr for u'aien tev.t a,r,_i,
the.fast
tlo neeks of Lhme, bounded by t}lneslrolds which
dehnit
the cornpensatory abifity.
At the 1ce€r tlEeshotd,
nesEs ar€ constr'ucted at the levet of the narsh. and at the
upper
.Lln_esholaar the njgnesr e'-varion pl.ovja^o bv rhe
aval-LaDle
llEDltat-
161
z
z
|.)q't@Foo)O-N..,
o(,o!.r()(|()(I|@.o(o
c6(o|-ooo-Norr()(tF60
oio@@@(oFt.FFFnF|\.r-F
od
YEAR
Figure 5: Percent of alligator
nests ffooded in the Everglades
ilor 1953 to 1982. Values prior to the study pericd, \rldch began in
1975, \,ere estinated \rsir€ the nest floodirg mdel. ft'or 1975 to
lq8l. n.,s L flocdi-g extenl was n.a-Lrl':d in rhe pri,ndr)
cudy arFa.
the nearly coryfete ff€odirg
observed in 1981 and 1982 was apparentfy
mprecedented under hisroric conditjo's.
165
t953-t962
65
40
-za
o-
F
t97t-t982
B
565
=
>40
25
to
1.25
t.40
t.55
t.70
t'85
2.o0
?]5
MEAN STAGE , J U N El 5 - S O r m M S L
figu'e o: P.eldlion oI the ndxi,TLsnuHt-r aepLh (cr) in Lhpr.indry study area, Everglades National PEr'k, during the
incubation p€riod arid tlte nea,n watex 1e\,e1 (m MSL)
estiGted
fl.dn Jlme 15 to 30. These fiElllres illustrate
the breaLdor.'n
'i.1 predi-LdD:1iL' oI rF Ever€ldo- nydlo logi^ qys-.n in
r.ecent vears. a (top) - HisToric period. .Iq5l - 1962. r=0.928,
p 0.05, n:10. b (botton) - tucent per.iod, 1971-1982,r,-0.465,
D 0.05. n=12.
166
CLESSIEI(ACICN
AID POPI'IATICN SIA1IE
OT IIIE A|{MICaT
A$TIGAIIR
Ted ifoarEi ard Iarry l.4d{ease
IouisiarE
DetrErhent of Wildlife
erd Eisheries
crand ctEder.
I-ouisiana 70643, USA
Intloducticar
since passage of the Endangered species Act of 19?3, the u.S.
Fish and Wildlife
Servlce desj.gnated that the American
(Allioator
alligator
mi ssi ssippiens is ) be pfaced in three basic
classifications.
endangered, threatened,
or threatened
alue Eo
(S/A) throughtout
similarity
of appearance
its
range in the
soutbeastern
Utritecl States.
These categories
sirnpfy alesignate
status of the animal in relation
to its recovery or rate ot
recovery.
Generally,
tbe endangered status lndicates
a low
population
within
a geographi,c area? whereas, the threateneal
status
indicates
population
an increasing
well on its way towaral
recovery.
ThreateDed alue to similarity
of appearance inalicates
a recovered population.
Other important
factors
are considered
in making these deterrninations . These incfude habitat
evaluations t
state research,
management, and enforcement progtrams; natural
mortality
factors:
utilization;
the adequency of regulatory
mechanisms; anal miscelfaneous
other factors,
Today, alligators
are classffieal
as threateried
in 20.3 precent of their
ralrge, as
endangered in 48.9 percent of their
rante? and as recovered Ln
30.8 percent of their
range (T'able 1).
The historic
strcnqbold
of the alligator
is for practical
purposes the 51.1 percent of
the range presently
(threatened
cfassified
as recovered
S/A) or
threatened.
Peripheral
range areas and counties with limited
(a large percentage of tbe overall
habitat
range) will
probably
retain
a restric*,ive
classification
status
{T'able 1) . classifi.caticn
status reviews are periodical-Iy
conalucted by the U.S- rish
and
Wildfife
Service,
usually
as a result
of state petitions
to change
tbe legal status of the alligator.
The collection
of bioloqicaf
pertaining
infolmation
to status reviews has greatly
enhanced
management capability
for the alliqator.
Since the IUCN,/CSGmeeting in South Africa
in 1982, the U-S. Fish
and Wifdlife
Service reclassified
the biological
status of the
alligator
in onfy one state.
The entire
State of Texas was
reclassified
to threatened
S/A, effectively
returninq
nanagement
authority
back to the State.
The American afligator
in Florida
has been proposed for
reclassification
from tbreateneal to threatened
due to similarity
of appearance (Federal Register
20 June, 1984).
A final
rule,
if
approved, will
change the status of all alligators
in Floriala to
the special
cateqory of threatened
due to slmilarity
of apearance.
167
Population
Status
bv State
Ten states contain alligators
in a1f or parts of the state.
In
populatj-ons are incleasing
general,
throughout
alligator
the
have stable
range. Areas on the fringes
of tbe range generafly
populations
and cannot biologically
harbor hlgh alensities
characteristic
of states bordering
the Gulf of Mexico.
Tbe 1984 coastal marsh population,
where nest
LoUISIANA:
population
r,ras
levels.
count indices were used to calculate
projected
to be 412.198, an 8.8% increase over the estimate
for
water levels affect
the degree of nestinq
a factor
1983.
estimates
whi"ch must be consialered when naking annual popufation
(llcNease a;al Joanen 1978).
Nest count
baseal on nest transects
10.1
estirnates have shown an annual increment of approximatefy
percelrt since initiation
of the survey in 19?0 (Joanen and
vcNease 1984).
In areas of the state where the nest count
stanalaridized
night
counts were c\onalucteal
method is not feasible.
Night
transect
fines.
count alata were then
along establisheil
nodeling.
Louisiana personnel surweyed 13
applied to population
aifferent areas of the state in 1q83, covering a tcfal distance of 93 niles.
slightly
above the
A-Iugators per ndle a1€raeed 6.0 for the 13 transectst
range{riab averaqe of 5-4 for the sanE year (Chabreok 1984)- llcltease and
habitat witbin lduisial]a
c\castal
Joar€n (1978) reported available alligator
nlarslles cqrprise 2.9 rT'illion acr€s, Taylor (1980) reForted statwide alfiqator
habitat for n.n-nErsh as l.L llrilflon acres.
Service is currently
FLORIDA: The U.S. Iish and Wildlife
the status of the alligator
in the State of Florida.
revievinq
the alligator
from its
The service proposes to reclassify
due to
present classification
of threateneal, to threatened
of the Endangered
sindlarity
of appearance under provisions
proposal presents
The reclassification
species Act of 1973.
threateneal with
evidence that the species is not biologically
prepaied by Mr. wendell Neal of the
Infornation
extinction.
Service and as aalvertised in the Federal
U.S. Fish anat wildlife
alDro.imately
of 20 June, 1984, Vol. 49, Ne 120, indicates
Register
wetlands are occupied by alligators.
acres of llorida
6-7 million
habitat
estimateal 3.6 nillion
breakalown of alligator
A further
flooded
1.2 milflon
acres of permanently
acres of f!€sh narsh.
and streams
acres of lakes, and rivers
wooded swarnps, 1.? million
was lost tlue
some habitat
Neal reported
c€mprising
200.000 acres.
use and the ccnstrucEicn
and conversion
to agricultural
to drainage
projects.
night count data
Alligator
of levees for flood controf
collecteal before 197? abd compared to nlght count information
tvpe
show increases in
collected
between 197?-81, bl/ habitat
lakes averaged
Alorida
observeal per mile.
nunber of alligators
prior to 19?7 and 13.8/mife from 1977-81.
11.9 alfigators,/mile
to 1977 and 13.3,hile
Fforida marshes averaged 11.3/mi1e prior
lrere obvlous when night
sotne general conclusions
fron 1977-81(a) the number of observed atligators,/
count alata were anafyzeal:
mile denostrated
increases when pre-197? and post-1977 periods
were compared, (b) smalf. nedium, and large size classes were
168
weII represented,
(c) atugator
indicating
sulvivorship
is adequate,
populations
are well dlstributecl
throughout
Ffortda's
major
(d) thele were no major shifts
habitat
types,
and finally
in size
class composition (Nea1 1984) .
GEoRGIA: A 1984 alfigator
populatioD
survey intticateal population
increases are occuring in most of ceorgia.
ib analysis
of
population
trends by counties showecl that 55 were increasing,
45
were stable,
and 1 alecreasi"ng.
Cotnpared to 1982 surveys,
in 102
counties reporting
populations,
alligator
1984 estlmates ih€eased
from 11 to as high as 10X. A total
of 5-824.000 acres of alltgator
habitat
was reported
in the 102 country atea (S. Ruckel, personal
conununication,
1984) . Georqia personnel surveyed 12 differeDt
areas of the state in 1983, transecting
a total
alistancie
of ?7.?
per mile averaged 4.4, slightly
mi1es.
Alligators
below the rangewide average of 5.38 in 1983 (Chabreck 1984).
TE)GS i
populations
Afligator
are consideretl
to be stable
to
increasing.
Census date (night counts) on inlahal habitat
and
coastal routes.
and aerial
nest counts reflect
well
a population
over 100.000 alligators
of all size classes occur within
the
Texas range.
Night count surveys covering some 32 tniles indicated
4.4 af ligators,/mi le.
Habitat
in Texas is reported to comprise
over 3.62 million
acresr incfutling.
54.400 acres of brackish
marsh,
186.240 acres between bracki.sh andfresh narsh, 52.480 acres of
fresh narsh, and 3-328,000 acres of inlanil alligator
The
habitat.
inland habitat
is compriseal of sma1l inlanai marshes and bayous,
swamps, 1akes, ponds, reservoirs,
rivers,
creeks and ditches.
stream nifeage
for historical
alfigator
range in Texas i.s estinBted
to be 9,649 niles.
Alligators
currentfy
occur in more than 90X
of the historic
range in Texas.
Afthough the greatest
alligator
concentrations
in Texas occur in the middle and upper coastal
populations
counties,
significant
occur inlanal in suitable
habitat
(Thompsonet al. 1983).
SOUTH CAROITINA: Of 28 counties
coDtaining
alligators
in South
carolina,
populatioDs.
15 reported
increasing
Increases were
(13) counties
estimated
to be as rrruch as 5-10 percent.
ThirteeD
(increase
reported
stable to sliqhtly
populations
increasing
5Z)
(Tom Mulphy, personal connnunication 1984).
The best habitat
is
associateal with the coastal
impoundnents and marshes comprising
approximately
100.000 acres in Georgetown, Cbarleston,
Coll"eton,
anal Beaufort Counties.
The next tier
of counties i.nlanal represent
moderate to hiqh alliqator
alensities
and a significant
amount of
particularly
habitat
in Berkley and ;Iasper Counties.
fhe amount
of suitable
afligator
habitat
from these countles to the fall
line diminishes rapidly
poDds supporting
with generally
rsolated
sma11 populations.
South Carolina
reports
approximately
250.000
(T. Murphy, personal
acres of alllgator
habitat
statewide
(84U ) occurreal in seven rlver
conmunication
1982).
Most nestlnq
drainages.
The drainage6 in oraler of hlghest nest counts were:
the Santee, Cooper, Conbahee. Savannah, Ashepoo. Pee Dee, antl
(Wilkinson
South Edisto Rivers
1983).
169
range is lirniteal
ln Arkansas.
fhe
ARKANSAS: The alliqator's
trelral for Arkansas alligators
is a stable to sliqhtly
increasing
population.
Since 1972, the state restockeal 2.?00 alligatols
from Louisiana
in 40 of 45 counties
fying within
the historic
range of the apecies.
From thts restocking
effort,
successful
has been Clocunented in five
counties
reploduction
that were
(s. Barkfey,
prevlousl]"
personal corununication
void of alligators
1984). Night
coutrt alata totafing
sone 56 hiles
of survey lines
per mile (chabreck 1984).
indicate
1.25 alligators
popufation
MISSISSIPPI antl OKLAHOMA: No cuffent
estiinates
are
night count alata for
available
for these states.
Mississlppl
75 mi.les of survey lines indicate
an average of 1.00 alligators
per mj.Ie, well below the range-wide 1983 average of 5.38
per mile.
However, this data compares favorably
with
alligators
its nelghboring
state of Arkansas which recorded 1.25 alligators/
niles for 1983 (chabreck 1984).
in only Mccurtain country.
oklahoma reports
allj.gators
occurring
increasing
This snall population
is characterized
as slightly
(F. Jaines. personal comnunication
1984).
estimates
are avaifable
for
ALABA A:
No current population
seven night count routes coverlng
117.5 mifes in length
Alabama.
per mife (Chabreck 1984).
vele lun anal averaqed 5.2 afligators
conducted,
4 were run in one coastal
Horrever, of the 7 surveys
populatlon.
D(cfidinq
country,
Baftlwin.
known for its high allj-gator
per mile of survey averaged l.6t
thls one country,
alligators
anal Arkansas's
findings.
comparable with Mississippi
occurreCl in lor alensi.ties on night
NoRTH CARoLINA: Alligators
Highest
count survey routes in coastal North Carolina.
alensitles occurred in estuaries
of the cape Fear # 3 Watersheal
were found to be
Alligators
anal in lakes of the Neuse Watershed.
bases, national
forests,
aoal
clumped in areas such as military
property.
plivate
Alfigator
alensities decreaseal bY watershed
No alligators
were founal Dorth of Albemarle
from south to north.
linit
of
the befief
that this is the northern
sounal, supportinq
alligators
was
The population
of visible
the alligator's
range.
total
ttle estimate was expanded to an estihated
reported at 443.
population
Althouqh there are no recent night
size af L.7'72.
the saftpling
in Nortb Carolina,
count data from survey routes
with the express
in 1979-80, was established
ilesign, established
purpose of provitllnq
to compare the
baseline
alata with rhich
Now that North Carolina has a
results
of future surveys.
program,
their
it is hoped that
nongame and enalangereal wilatlife
so that popufation
surveys can be repeated at 3-5 year intervals,
(Phil Doerr, personal conununication 1984).
trenals can be nonitored
Avai lable
Alllqator
Eabitat
popuLations
range
iricrease in alligator
slnce the noticeable
anal also
wide, states have been eval-uating these populations
(McNease anal Joarlen 19?8, Joanen
habitat
classifying
alligator
and McNease 1980, Taylor 1980. Thonpson et a1. 1983, wj"lkinson
of
exist in the quality
obvious alifferences
1983, Neal 1984).
has been
anal in most cases, habitat
Iabitat
for afligators
170
into 3 allstinct
habitat
classifieal
types:
coastal marshes?
inland
fteshwater
slramps antl mai-shes; and naturaf
rivers,
man-made
lakes.
Surveys have shown that
populations
alligator
vary
accoltiing
to habitat
type.
Also obvious differences
may exist
in populati-on levels within
a single habitat
type.
McNease and
Joanen (19?8) found certain
ecoloqicaL
features
exist
in one
in the same habitat
type just
type and may not exist
a few miles
away.
In the coastal marshes of Loulsiana,
interspersion
of
land/water
ratios
anal water levefs
were two important
factors
that must be taken into consj.deration
when evafuating
alligator
habitat.
Probably the best example of this in Louisiana
are
clense soli.d stands of Panicum hendtomon which provide
littLe
or
no open water,no habitat
aliversity,
and very poor alfigator
nesting habitat.
However, Panicum marshes interspersed
with
ponds, potholes.
and open lakes provide sone of the finest
nesting
habitat
to be found on the Louisiana
coast.
Inland lakes, both man-nade anal natural,
possess varying degrees
populations.
of alligator
Important
factors
that must be
considered when evaluating
these areas as afligator
habitat
are
vegetative
cover and water depty.
l,akes which seen to proviale
the best alligator
habitat
are those which have Eome open
freshwater
marshes attacheal, or those which have vegetative
cover
extenaling frorn the shoreline
out into the open water areas.
lreshwater
swamps attacheal to large river
systems or lakes
probably proviale the largest
single habitat
the range
type lrithin
of the alligator;
however, possess the lowest alligator
concentrations
when compared to the other habitat
types.
The
exception
woulal be swamps which possess inibealaleal open
to this
freshwater
marshes of sizeabfe
acreage.
riverine
cenerally.
swamps lack the proper
interspersion
of vegetative
cover and lanal,/
water ratio
of the coastal marsb zone or inlanal lakes.
Riverine
systems are alsd known for their
extremes in seasonal water level
fluctuations
alonq with extreme currents.
(wetlanals) reported by 5 states
The amounts of alligator
habitat
are presented in Tabfe 2.
Although any lretland habitat
has the
potential
of being used by alligators,
the frequency of use
varies
cohsiderably.
Salt water marshes, farge aleep open water
in Louisiana have been found to be used
Iakes, and farge rivers
onLy occasionaLl.y
and only by the aalult segment of the populatioD.
A careful
review of the alifferente
habitat
types along with a
better
unalerstanding of their
value to alliqators
if of the
utmost importance in the management of a resource.
Wetlanals in
tbemselves do not qualify
as alligator
habitat,
but rather
the
true estinate
suitability
of habitat
can be neasureal by studying
lretlands which possess alistinctive
ecoloqical
features
anCI
populations.
comparinq th.is to existing
alliqator
Literature
Citeal
Chabreck, R.H. 1984.
Cooperative
sulvey6 of the
in southeastern
United States durinq 1983.
Univ-,
Baton Rouge. 3 pp. Mimeogrpah.
t77
American alligator
l,ouisiana State
Joanen. T., anfl L. McNease. 1980.
Managetnent of the alligator
as a renelrable
resoulce
in Louisiana.
IUCN, Survival
Service Conrmission, Crocodi.le Specialist
(In press).
Group.
Joanen, T.L.,
McNease. c., Perry, D.
Richaral and D. Taylor.
proc.
1984.
Louisiana's
afligator
managernent proqram.
(In
Southeastern Assoc. t'ish and Wildlife
Aqencies 3e:
review).
ItcNease, L., anal T- iroanen.
1978.
Distribution
and reLative
abunalance of the afllgator
in Louisiana
coastaf nrarshes.
Proc. Southeastern Assoc.
Fish and Wildlife
Agencies 32:
1 82 - 1 8 5 .
Nea1, W. 1984.
Endangered anal threatened wildlife
and plants,
proposal to reclassify
the fegal status of the American
alligator
in Florida
to threatened
due to similarity
of
appearabce.
Federal Register
49 (120) : 25342-2534A.
Taylor,
D.
1980.
population
An alligator
moalel and associated
ninlmum population
estirnate
for non-rnarsh afligator
habitat
in Louisiana.
La. Dept,
of Witdlife
and Fisheries.
32 pp.
Mimeograph.
Thompson, B.C., F-E. Potter, Jr., and W.C. Brownlee.
1983.
Managenent plan for the American alliqator
in Texas.
Texas
Parks anal Wildlife
Dept. 41 pp.
llilkinson
Phlfip
M.
1983.
Nesting ecology of the American
allj.gator
in coastaf South Carolina.
S.C. Wildtife
and
Maline Res. Dept. 113 pp.
Mimeograph.
r72
TNBITE 1
Affigatq'
Classificaticn
T'rreaterEds,/A
Status
hry State
-
Septsirer,
trhnber of @lmties
Ddanqered
lbreatened
MississilDi
lbtal
55
A.tabarB
33
Non'th C€rolina
2l
I'o{as
1984
2T
't4
74
ArXallsas
3
3
cklahoTla
1
1
81
Lidsiana
-63
64
64
23
5
2A
217
90
444
South Carolina
r3'7
702
63
Florida
IU|AI
27
30-8
44.9
7',73
20.3
T}B[E 2
Available
Habitat
dligator
Habitat
Tt"e
state
Coasta.1 matEh
rnland {etland*
Iouisltsrra
Florida
S. Carolina
Itesh na.rsh
f loo&d irooded s,vtalrtr)
Lales
Ri!'enF and streans
pefirEnently
coasta-l nErsl€s and in{)ottrdlEtts
Inland lletlandt
coasta.l n6!sh
Inlard r,tetfand*
Te:Gs
Ihclassified
Georg1a
* S!"dtq)s. lakes,
Reported for Eive states
pcnds, rilrers
and strear€,
r74
&etland
trErshes, resenr'oirs.
2.900.000
1.100.000
3.600.000
1.200.000
1.700.000
200.00
100.000
1s0.000
293.OOO
3,328.000
5.824.000
LOUISIANA'S
ALI]IGATOR MANAGEMENTPROGRAM
perry,
Ted ,Joanen, Larry McNease, cuthrie
and Davial Richaral
Louisiana Department of wildllfe
and Fisheries,
Rt. 1
Box 20-8, crand Chenier, Louisiana 70643
and
Louisiana
Department of Wildlife
anal Fisheries
Minaten. Louis.iana 71055
Introducti.on
Louisiana's
program to manage the alligator
first
on a sustaineal
yield harvest was initiated
in 19?2. Tlle man,gement progran
resulted
from 15 years of research,
dedicated enforcame;t,
and
enactment of effective
state and federal
faws governing the taking,
possession,
and transportation
of alligators
anal their_products.
By 1970, such legisfation
was in effect
(Joanen et
in touisiana
ar. 1981).
Public Law 91-135, known as the,,Arnended Lacy Act,', was passed
i.n December 1959. l,acy Act provisions
nade it a federaf
clime to
sell
ol transpott
in interstate
or foreign
comnerce any form of
wildlife
or products made from wildlife
taken in violalion
of the
laws of any state or foreing
country.
In 1970, the Louisiana
Legisfature
enacted Act 550 giving the Depaltment of Witdfife
anal
Fisheries
fulf
authority
to regulate
the attigator
in the State.
Louisiana
1aw cfassifies
tbe afligator
as a non-game quadrupeal
along with wild fur-bearing
animats vafuable
for thei;
skins or
hides. The aIllgator
is, therefore.
considered a conunercj.al
wildlife
speciesr
anal Act 550 formed the framework which permitteal
the implementation
of a closety
regulated
cofimerciaf harvest
(Palnisano et aI- 1973) Alligators
occur throughout
the State and popufations
have atemostrated
alramatic increases
in recent years. The majority
of habitat
and the
largest
segment of the alligator
population
are founal in the
southern f/3 of the State in coastal marsh anal cypress tupelo
stramps. Due to its value and vulnerability
to hunting,
the species
requlres
special
regulations
which must be designed to regulate
the harvest of surplus animals yet equatly dist;ibute
the kill
in
relation
to populatioD
tevets.
A compfex system of applications,
licenses,
tags, and report
forms was necessary to ijiplement the
management program.
The authors acknowledge A. Ensminger, Chief of Fur and Refuge
Division
of the Louisiana
Department of Wildfife
and I'isheries
for
his unselfish
support anal overalf
supervision
of a sometimes
controversial
affigator
plan. naking it possible
for the management
and researctr program to become a realityThe alligator
program
would not have been successfuf
without
the
oi rn.rry
"ooperation
Louisiana
Department of Witdtife
personnel,
and Fisheries
primarily
empfoyees of the Fur and Refuge, came, anat Enforcement Divisrons.
?he Louisialra State University
Department of Experimental
775
Statistics
monitoring
Methods
provi.aeal
program-
expertise
anal implehentation
fo!
a complex
anal Materials
nest censuses have been conalucted annually
in
INVENTORY: Aerial
the coastal marsh zone since 1970 and r"/ere used to project
(Chabreck 1966, McNease and ifoanen
population
levels
alfigator
(s amps, anal upland fakes and streams)
1978). In areas of the state
lrhere the aerial
nest count methotl could not be applietl.
a
for non-malsh areas was used as
minlmum populatj.on estimate
(1980) used data from size
(1980). Taylor
alescribed by Taylor
cfass composition
of adults taken from night counts antl hide
These data were
measurements to alerive these minimufi estimates.
to existing
the harvest in proportion
useal for distributing
populations.
coastal marshes
alfigator
habitat
within
Louisiana
Available
comprises 1,178,000 ha (2,900.000 acres) (cbabreck anal Linsconibe
according to
1978) and is subdivided
into 3 malor suballvisions
sub-Defta,
and Active Delta Zones. The
origin:
The Chenier Plain,
Chenier Plain makes up 445,000 ha (1,100,000 acres) and is
The Sub-Delta Marsh
located in the southwest corner of the state.
zone contains 640,000 ha (1,570,000 acres) and extends from the
border. The
Bay complex to the Mississippi-rouisiana
vermilion
Active Delta comprises 93,000 ha (230,0O0 acres) and consists of
Rlver Delta.
the present Mississlppi
and
divideal according to salinitl
Each narsh zone is further
(Chabreck and linscombe 1978) . The flesh marsh made
vegetation
up 392 of the area or 460,000 ha (1,131,00O acres) , intermediate
narsh compriseal 23% or 2'11,000 ha (667.000 acres) , and the
compriseal
brackish
marsh, minus marshes over 10 ppt safinity,
do not normally
38x or 447,000 ha {1,102,000 acres). Alligators
lnarsh
10 ppt salinity,
utilize
the saline marsh type, nor brackish
hence 360,000 ha (880,000 acres) of these types were omitted from
the survey.
(1980) reporteal totaf
alligator
habitat
for nonstatewide
Taylor
marsh areas as 474,000 ha (1,1?1,000 acres). He further subalivided
babitat
avaifable
into upland streams, swamp streams, cypress tupelo
2 habitat
types were
and cypress tupelo swamps. The fatter
lakes,
the most important
for alligators.
ESTABLISHING IARVEST RFCTILAT]ONS:ThE LOUiSiANA DEPATTMENTOf
10 seasons for the taking of
and Fisheries
authorized
Wildlife
alligators
for the sale of skins between 19'72-19a3 (Palmisano et al.
1973, McNease and Joanen 19?8)- The lst bunt, authorized in 1972,
was confined to 1 palish
in south\test Louisiana which according
segment of the coastal
nest survey housed the largest
to the serial
population.
Tbe hunt area was graclually expanded
narsh alligator
uDtil
1981 when the season was opened state\"ride (?able 1).
716
No season was afloweal in 1974 as a result
of the passage of the
Federaf Enalangereal Species Act. After an 18-month delay, causeal
by alelisting
requirements
of the U-S. Fish and Wifatlife
Service,
Louisiana
again initiated
its hatvest program expanding to a 3
parish area, 1975-1977- Due to limited
rnarkets of skins within
the United States and the ban on overseas shipment
of skins as
a result
of the Convention on lnterhational
Trade of Enalangered
Species (CITES). no season was allowed in 1978. CITES, in March
of 1979, allowed the export of skins in international
conrmerce.
Along wlth the CTTES action,
the U-S. anal Wildlife
Service Clelisted
an additional
9 coastal l,ouisiana parishesAs a resuft
the
Louisiana
Department of wildlife
and Fisheries
authorizeal a
halvest
regulated
in 12 coastal parrshes in 1979 and 1980. In
1981, the alfigator
was recfassified
in the renaining
52 parishes
(S/A) and a statewiale harvest was authorized.
as threatened
(Pafmisano et a1. 19?3) and alligator
Harvest strategy
popufation
(Chabrecl< 1966, ?aylor and Neal 1984) for marsh habitats
features
were alescribed in detail
by Joanen and McNease {1981) Taylor and Neaf (1984) developed a size class frequency distribution
population
model to estimate
a]ligator
features.
Night count data
were used in conjunction
lritb the modef to alerive tag aflocation
features
for harvest in non-marsh babitats.
State law prohibited
the takinq of afligators
between the hours of
sunset and sunrise and those animals less than 1.2 m (4 feet)
in
length.
other provisions
requlating
the taking and shipment of
alligators
were estdblished by Lhe Departnent,
llarvest regulations,
licensing
requirements,
tagging requirements,
procedure,
reporting
nuisance alligator
control
regulations,
a
successful
law enforcement program, and a computer program were
established
to regulate
and monitor tbe harvest of surplus animals
and yet distribute
the kilI
in proportion
to tbe existing
populations
(Joanen anal McNease
over the area openeal for harvest
1 98 1 ) .
Resuft
and Discussion
POPULATIONSURVEYS: Population
estimates
in the coasta] marsh
varied
from a 1ow of 134.000 in the drought year of 19?1 a high of
520,000 {Table 2)- overa11, populations increased dramaticalty
in
the Chenier Pldin and Sub-De]ta Zones from 1970-1983. The Active
population
Delta showed the lowest alligator
of the 3 marsh zones.
A comparison of alliqator
densities
fron 1979-1983, expresseal as
ba (acres)/alligator,
shows higher population
levels
in tbe
Chenier Plain Zone. The Chenier Plain averageal l alligator:
2.2 ha
(5.4 acres) , the sub-Delta 1:3.6 ha (9.0 acres) , and the Active
Delta 1:10,5 ha (26-0 acres). Popufation alistribution
by marsh
types on a coastwide basis sho ed the intermediate
marsb type
contained the highest alligator
densitres,
I alligator
to 2.1 ha
(5.3 acres) . The brackish
and fresh marshes were about equal in
areat however, population
in the brackisb
density
marsh was I
711
to 4-1 ha (10.2 acres) and in the f,resh narsh 1 alfi.gator
alligator
to 2.8 ha (6.9 acres) {McNease and Joanen 19?8, Joanen and McNease
1981, Unpubl. La- Alligator
Census Records, 1980-1983).
The coastwide average annual percentage lncrease of nests for
the period of 1970-1983 was 10.11. Privately-owned
property,
90*
of which was hunted, showeal an average annual increase in nest
production
perioal. 19?0-1983. Refuqes
of 11.02 over the l4ryear
and r.rifdlife
nanagement areas, where only limited
hunting occurred,
had an average annual increase of 9.7u in nesting
for the same
period.
The average ahnual increase j.n the Chenier Plain of
southwest Louisiana was 10.42 for the same period.
A further
anafysis
of population
alynamics in the Chenier Plain demostrateCl
average annual increases
in nest pxoduction
were considerably
greater
property
on 333,550 ha (825,000 acres) of privately-owned
than for 111,375 ha (2?5,000 acres) of public property.
Air temperature
affects
the timing of nesting and egg laying
(Joanen and McNease, 1979) . Nesting occurred in earty
activity
;lune for the years with biqhest
l/arch,llay temperatures
and occurreal
as Iate as the fst week in July wlen springtime
tempetatures
were
the lowest. The above factor
must be taken into account nrhen
establishing
time tabtes for nest censusinq and season dates. Extremes
in water levels,
alroughts, and ftoods adversely
affect
nesting
(McNease anal .toanen 1978). Surface water conditions
probably affect
nesting potential
more than any other environmental
factor.
anal
thereby may cause considerable
bias in annual population
estimates
based on nest transects.
Joanen et a1. (1981) conselvatively
reported
the minirnum afteriatching
alligator
estimate as 168,000 for non-marsb babitat.Hiqhest
non-marsh a1llgator
densities
were founal in the 35,275 ha
(87,100 acres) of cypress-tupelo
lakes contained in the State, 1
1.7 ha (4.1 acres). Cypress tupelo swamps, 329,oo ha
alligator:
(813,000 acres) contained an estimated 127,000 alligators
for a
density of l afliqator:
2.5 ha (6.4 acres). The estimated population
of the Atchafalaya Basin, colrtalning 144,200 ba (356,O00 acres) of
habitat,
was 19,500 for a density of 1 afligator:
alligator
?.4 ha
{18 acres) .
ALLIGATOR HARVEST: During the period of t972-1943,
107.8?8 alligator
per
tags were issued to 5,33? hunters.
Averaqe tag allotment
lunter
was 20.2 (Table 3). Ninety percent of the privately-owned
wetfands open for harvest were actually
hunted- A total
of 100,712
alligators
was taken(932 hunter success).Not all skins were sold;
3,860 skins were tanned at the expense of the hunter or landowner
for trophy skins or manufactured into boots, saaldles, gun cases,
belts, anal other itens. Prices varj.ed from S17.so,/linear 0.3 m
(foot) in 1981 to 9?.88 in 1975. Prices varied according to the
demand for skins,
placed on the sale of products
restrictions
prohibition
within
certain
states,
internationaf
cotrurerce/
on forelgn
and inflation
or devaluation
of Japanese, French, and United States
!78
population
The largest
alligator
occurs in the lower 7/3 of i'}re
85% of the total
State.
This area comprises approximately
'772
statewide
alliqator
habitat.
As a resuft.
of |'}],e hunters are
The
in the coastal
zone and they accounted for 912 of the kill.
central
1,/3 of the State had 16X of the hunters and 7Z of tbe
kiII.
The northern
1/3 ot the State haal 7z of the hunters and 1x
hunters
4.8% of the alligator
of the ki11. Non-resident
purchased
licenses in 1943.
(iroanen
SEx AND sIzE CoMPOSITIoN OI' HARVEST: Telemetry studies
to
and McNease L910, 79'72) suggest a septenber bunt restricteil
in a kill
daytlme bunting and open water areas would result
composed primarily
of larger males inunature animals of both
sexes. By restricting
the pole hunting method in interior
marshes,
During the 1972 harvest
the take of breealing females was minimized.
season, 303 alligator
carcasses were examined. Adult males {over
inspected.
l-arr.(L6
teeu)
naale up 83-l% of the nature alligators
16,9% of the adult alligators
examined.
Adult females constitued
During the 1973 harvest,
843 alligator
carcasses were examined.
harvestecl. The
Aduft males made up 67-9% of the mature alligators
percentage of males in the kill
was 66-32- Adult females
totaf
constituted
32.1% of the mature alligators
exarnineal (Table 4). The
high kil]
on females in 1973 as compared to the 1972 season was
storn
from tropical
attributed
to flooded conditions
resulting
DeI1a. Excessive rainfalf
combined with high tides provided hunters
not accessible
easy access into interior
marshes uhich were usually
at that time of year (Joanen et a1- 1974).
In 19?5, 85.5% of 684 mature afligators
examined were males. Mature
males also compriseal the majority
of the kill
the foflowing
2 years:
78.3% of 398 in 1976 and ?0-3% of 2I2 i,n 19?7 (Table 4) - The average
size class of the animals taken durinq the 10 years of harvest
remained fairly
colstant
frorn year to year. The average skin
length was 2-r1 m (5 feet 11 inches) with a range ot 1-2-4-2 m
(4-14 feet).
of the skins taken, 792 were between 1.5-2.4 m (5-g feet)
(l'is- 1) The largest
femafe harvested r^ras taken in the Mernentau Basin of
(2.73 n 19 feet I rnc.b/
southwest Louisiana
and 94 kg l:208 poundq/).
rnternal
she was barlen.
The
examination
of the ovaries indicated
fargest
nale was taken in the Pearl River complex of southesstern
Louisiana
and measured 4-3 m (14 feet) t no weight was obtained,
size class and above, appeared to be
Mature animals,
2.1 m {? foot)
taken at the rate at which they existed
in the hunt area. However,
other factors
such as limited
hunter accessibility
to animals
years, easy accessibility
during low rainfall
during high rainfall
years/ and skin prices may affect
the harvest to some degree. When
high prices were paial for skins, hunter interest
was stimufated
year. The reverse was true when prices were 1ower.
the following
Most of the large aninals were taken by the fishinq
method. Those
shot free swimning were generally
of the smaller size classes.
smaller
usually
remain in shallow interior
marsh ponals
alligators
779
and feed on crustaceans
(Chabreck 1971, Valentine
or smafl fish
et af. l9?2, McNease anal Joanen 1977). Irmature
females and aduft
females prefelred
natural
(Joanen
marsh during the autumn period
and McNease 1970, McNease and Joanen 1974). Only 4OZ of the
irunature fenale segment of a population
would be available
if
hunting were restricted
to deep lrater bayous, lakes, and canals.
Data collected
aluring Louisiana,s
1972 experimental
alligator
season (Palndsano et al. 1973) indicated
imnature females constituteal
29.6% of the innnature size cfasses of atligators
harvestedIn
19'73, 1975, 1976, and 1977, immature females made lp 37.3%, 36.'72,
29.12, and 36.2u, respectively,
of the iftnature alligators
haivestett
(Table 4) - Im\rature males showed a narked preference
for deep water
areas during surrner and autumn. When availability
of natural
marsh
was consialered, usage by males was less than expected during all
seasons (McNease and Joanen 1974) .
VAI,IDATION AND SALE OF SKINS.
Frcfi 19'72-1971 , when a maxinum of 3
parishes were opened for hunting,
hunters were required
to bring
their
hides to a central
cbeck-in
station.
Deoartment Dersonnel
measureal and vafidated
each sktn. After validaiion,
ski;s were solal
at public
auction.
As the harvest program expanded state iale,
buyers were required
to subrnit detailed
reports
concerninq their
(;Ioanen and McNease 1981).
conmercial
transactions
As the hunt area and ki1l lras expandeal, so did the amount of
papervork involved
in monitoring
the kil]
and corrunercial aspects of
the harvestConsequentfy,
in 1979 a computer proqram was devetopeal
and upgraded throuqh 1983 to follow hides from the hunters fevef
through conunerce until
tanned into leatherTaxidermy or trophy
hides, which dial not enter commercial channels,
and alliqator
meat
anai parts r^rere monitored tbrough a system of leport
forms.
Early in the program, 7972-79'77, Anerican tabners showed a strobg
interest
in alligator
feather and as a resuft
purchased the
majority
of the skins taken during those years. However. since the
delisting.
rhen foreign
buyers were allowed to export skins abroad,
the French. Italians
and Japanese have purchaseal the majority
of
tbe skins taken in the Louisiana harvest.
A total
of 11 tanneries
and 1 trading
company purchased skins rn
Louisiana during a 10 year perlod.
Of these, 4 were located in
France. 3 in Japan, 2 in ltafy,
and 3 in the United States.
Of the
95,963 skins sold from 1972 through 1983, Irench tanners purclaseil
48.4% of the skins.
purchased 2'7-72 af r.he
United States tanneries
skins, Italians
12.42 and Japanese 11-5%.
NUISANCE ALIIGATOR CONTROL: During the 1979 nuisance havest program,
11 hunters killed
51 alligators
in 6 coastal parishes. In 1980, 34
|'ook 225. The number of tags issued
hunters in the same 6 parishes
uere baseal on the nuniber of complaints
receiveal (Linscombe 1975) Complalnts were randomly investigated
on the site by Departmental
personnel.
Alligators
taken under this progran were taken in
accordaDce with State and local reoulations/ordinances
-
180
relocated
in
alligators
During 19?9-1980, Departmental personnel
areas. The magrituale of these requests \tere only
the delisted
sliqhtly
lesseneal with the nuisance complalnt progratn. A statewi-de
program was initiateal
in Septenber 1981.
Duisance conplaint
in 1981,
Nineteen nuisance control
hunters took 197 alligators
131 by 19 hunters in 1982, and 167 by 15 hunters in 1983. skinninq
instructions
issued by the Department were for 1 year and any skin
was considereal iflegaf.
not prepared according to the instructions
Disposition
of skins, meat, and parts taken in the nuisance
of the local governing
complaint program was the responsibility
'l7I
body and/or the hunter.
over the s-year perioal, 1919-1983,
program
by
alligators
were harvested through the nuisance removaf
9g licensed hunters.
AI,L]GATOR MEAT AND PARTS: Since the 1979 season, approximately
meat have been sold
45,000 kg (100,000 pounds) of alligator
Prices varied across the coast; however, average prices
annually.
paid to hunters in southeastern
were about S0.75 per
louisiana
0.5 kg (pound) whereas ln southwest r,ouisiana prices averageal
$1.50 per 0.5 kg. over half of the meat sold was purchased by
individuals
for home consumption. The remainder was sold to
restaurants
and fish markets, New markets have been developed in
anal along the east coast.
California
parts dealers reporteal that teeth and
licensed
alligator
Fifteen
supply houses.
skulls
were sofd to the Jewelry trade and biological
primarily
in the
items were sold within
Louisiana,
Most jewelry
New Orleans area.
law violations
LAw ENFORCEMENT: ilhe number and severity
of alfigator
to determine unknoi{n detrimental
were compared to enforcement effort
effects
that the harvest program might cause to the resourceassigned to
Federal and S tate- Enforcement Agents were annually
alligator
law enforcement.
No major hide poacbing cases have been
made in Louisiana since 1976- During the 1983 season, only 8
alliqator- relateal cases were filed
by State agents aluring the
minor nature.
September harvest program. and all were of a relatively
field
agents devoted part of their
Tlro hunalred and twelve Louisiana
It is clearly
enforcement activityworking hours to alligator
harvest program dial not
alligator
evident that l,ouisianars
poaching.
stimulate
alligator
l,iterature
Cited
the size and composition
chabreck,
R.H. 1966. Methods of detexnining
^f illid.tor
b6nulations in Louisiana. Proc. Annu. ConfSoutheast. Assoc- Gameand Fish comn. 20:105-112.
of alligators
chabreck.
R,H. 1971. The foods anal feeding habits
in louisiana.
Proc. Annu.
fronr fresh and saline environments
conf. Southeast.
Assoc. came anal Fish comrn- 25:11?-124.
type map of the
chabreck, R.H. and G. Linscombe. 1978- Vegetative
Louisiana coastal marshes. La. Dep. of wi1dl. and Fish.,
Baton Rouge.
181
Joanen,
T., and IJ. McNease. 19?0. A telenetric
study of nesting
female alligators
on Rockefelfer
Refuge, Louisiana,
Proc.
Annu. conf. Southeast.
Assoc. Game and Fish Comn. 24:175-
.Ioanen,T. and l':cNease- 19?2. A telenetric
study of aduft male
alligators
on Rockefelfer
Refuge, Louisiana.
Proc. Annu.
Conf. Southeast.
Assoc. cane and I'ish Cofitln. 261252-275.
Joanen,T. and M<t(base. 1979. Time of egg depositioD
for the
Amelican alligator.
Proc. Annu. Conf. Southeast.
Assoc.
Fish and wiltll-- Agencies 33:15-19.
;roanen, T., and L. McNease. 1981. Management of the alfigator
as
a renewable resource in louisiana.
Ga. Dep. of Nat. ResTech. BuIl. WL 5t62-12.
Joanen,T..anal G. Linscombe. 1974.An anafysis
of Louisiana's
experimental
afligator
harvest program. La. Wildl.
Fish. Comn., New orleans.
2opp. Mimeo.
1973
and
Joanen,T.,c- Linscombe, anal D. Taylor.
1991. Attigator
nanagernent
plan State of l,ouisiana.
!a. Dep. of Wifdl.
and I'lsh.,
New
drlArhe
trn^
Mi na^
Linscombe. c. 1975. Alligator
compfaints
of Wild1. antl lish.,
Ner^rOrleans.
sunmary 1975. La.
8pp. Mimeo.
Dep.
McNease, L., and T- Joanen. 1974. A tefemetric
study of imnature
alligators
Refuge, Louisiana.
on Roclefeller
Proc. Annu.
conf- Southeast.
Assoc. came anal Fish Conun. 28:482-500.
McNease, L- and T-Joanen. 19??. Atfiqator
aliets in relation
to narsh
salinity.
Proc. Annu. Conf. Southeast.
Assoc. l'ish and
wi fdl. Agencies 31:36-40.
MNease, L. and T. Joanen. 19?8. Distribution
and relative
abutrdance
in Louisiana
coastaf marshes- Proc- Annu.
of the alligator
Conf. Southeast. Assoc. Fish and Wildl. Agencies 32:182-186.
Palmisano. A.W., T. Joanen, anal L. McNease- 1973. An anafysis of
l,ouisiana's
19?2 experinental
alligator
harvest program.
pfoc. Anru. conf- Southeast.
Assoc. Game anal Fish connn27 | 144-2O6 Taylor,
population
D. 1980. An alfigator
rnoclel and associated
minimum population
estimate
for non-marsh alligator
habitat
in Louisiana. La. Dep. of Wr]dl. and Frsh. 15 pp- l4imeo.
Taylor.
D., anal w. Neal. 1984. Managementimplications
of sizeclass frequency distributions
in Louisiana
afligator
populations. wi1dl. Soc- Bull.
12(3) :312-319.
Valentine, J.M.,J.R-Walther,K-MMccarthey, and L.M.,Iwy.
1972.
wifdlife
Alligator
diets on the Sabine National
Refuge
Louisiana. J. wildl.
MaDage. 36(3):809-815.
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i85
S i z e a n d s e x composition
in ]-ouisiana,
Total
of alligators
sarapled
r 9 7 2 - 1 9 7 7.
sample
Adults
in samDle
Nuober
Z Males
L972
303
78.5
t913
843
6 6. 3
t975
782
8 2, 7
r916
59r
76.3
78.3
t977
28r
6 8. 7
7 0 .3
Nuob e r
Z M al e s
83.1
684
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le7
POPULATION BIOLOGY AND S?ATUS OF THE A.I.IERICAN CROCODILE
IN SOUTH FLORTDA
Janes A. Kushlan and Frank J. Mazzotti
of Bioloqy,
East Texas State UniVersity
Cominerce
Texas 75428
anal
Departnent of Biology,
Pennsyfvania State University,
Universi ly Park Pennsylvania 16802, USA
Department
Introduction
population
The Florida
of the Anerican crocodife
occupies the
point
northernmost
of the species range and is the onfy population
in the Uniteal States. The status of this popufatlon
has been a
matter of concern because it has been believed
to be relativel1r
rare,
to be subject
to encroachment
by human alevelopment,
and to
have suffered
reductions
in population
size since the mid 1800's.
Its status was initially
evaluated by Moore (1953) and by Oqden
{1978). Fron 1977 to 19A2, we have studieal the population biology
and stat.us of crocodifes
occuring near Florida
Bay, on the
peniosula.
southern tip of the Florida
In this study we have
particularly
to test various hypotheses of population
attenpted
limitation
suggestefl by the work of Ogden in t?le early 1970's.
Ours was a collaboratlve
effort
involving
several colleagues
includinq
Drs. williain
Dunson, Peter Lutz. Robert Menzies, and
John Behler anal assistants
including
Robert Austin,
Amanda Mufler,
and Terri Jacobsen.
At the same time other segments of the south
population
Floriala crocodile
were being studieal by Paul Moler anal
by Rona]d caby.
In this paper we briefly
sone of the findings
abstract
of our
study with particular
to providing
new informatioD
attention
on
suggesteal to account for
the various hypotheses previously
presumed population
decreases. The full
reports on these studies
will
be publisheal elsewhere (Kushlan and MazzotLi in prep.,l,lazzoti
and Dunson :in press, Ma?zotti
antl Kushlan in prep, Mazzotti,
et al.
in prep. ) .
presence of the American
Historic
Population
The historic
Status:
crocodi.le in south Floriala is well alocunented after
1869, when a
specimen rras collected
in the Miami River (Wyman 1870).
Althouqh
observed occasionally
as far north as Lake Worth and West Palm
Beach on the east coast, crocodile
sightings
historically
were
concentrated
from Biscayne Bay tbrough northeastern
Fforiala Bay.
Dimock (1918) provided the most definitive
statenent
of its early
range as, "definitely
liniteal
to the reqion at the extreme
southern end of the peninsufa
of F]orida,
a strip
of ten miles
records occurred outsicle
long by three ndles wider'. only infrequent
this area. Thele is no reason to suspect that the core of the
population
crocodile
ever extended much north of Biscayne Bay.
Sinilarly
evidence to inalicate a permanent
there is no substantive
presence in the lower Floriala Keys {Jacobsen 1983) or on the
Floriala west coast.
188
Published reports provide little
information
on numbers of
crocodiles
present.
historically
They were saj,d to be',conunon",
seen in certain
places, but no contemporary statement as to
nuribers is available.
Ogden (1978) in reviewing
such accounts
suggested that "the nuntl]er of crocodiles
in south Florida
at
the end of the 19th century was not more than five time the
present population,
probably between 1.000 and 2-000 animals".
We however, believe
provide j.nsufficient
that available
reports
ihfornation
on which to base any such guess and that it is
therefore
impossible
to estlmate the nuniber of crocodiles
present historically
in southern Florida.
Population
distribution
We have evaluated the present distribution
of the American
crocodile
in Florida
from reports
and from our extensive
aeriaf
surveys conducted over afl potential
crocodile
habitat.
The
range of the crocodile
can best be unalerstood as consisting
of
three components.
The overall
range is the area in which
crocodiles
are occasionally
reportedThis is from Sanibel
lsland on the west coast of Fforida,
along the south and east
coast to Fort Lauderdale,
and southward to the lower Florida
Keys.
The core range is the area in which crocodiles
occur
continuously.
This is from the lakes on Cape Sabte along the
north shore of llorida
Bay to loarer Biscayne Bay and Key Largo.
The nesting
range is the area in which nesting occurs regularyThis is along northeastern
Florida
Bay to Turkey Point and
northern
Key Largo.
Within this range. our aerial
surveys have
shown that crocodiles
are nost abundant inland of northeastern
Floriala
Bay and on Key l,arqo (Fiq. 1).
Presently
neqting occurs in three areas, northeastern
Florida
Bay, Turkey Point,
and northerD Key targo.
We have been able to
locate records for 187 clutches
of eggs deposited in southern
Florida
since the 1930,sEigbty clutches
are known to have
been deposited during ttle study period,
L9'7A-A2. Of these 54
were along northeastern
Florida
Bay, which must be considereal
the center of the nesting distribution.
ogden (1978) concluded that a major rettuction
in breealing range
has occurred in Florida
Bay with ther'oradual
disappearance
of
nesting on islanals in Florida
Bay,'. His depiction
of range
reduction
showed isofines
that implied a concentric
reduction
of
range into northern
Elorida
Bay. we houever do not interpret
the
loss of nesting sites to be a gradual retreat
of animals into
the northeastern
bay.
We agree with Oqden (1978) that rnost
Ioqical
explanation
for the loss of crocodile
nest sites
ir_
eastern Florida
Bay is the alevelopment of the isfantls of the
upper llorida
Keys.
The bay islands where
nesting haal been
year-rounal habitat
recoraled do not appear to provide
for either
adult or hatchling
crocodiles.
and we believe
that fenales on
these islanals moved there from the Florida
Keys only during the
nesting season.
Thus we suspect that lt is the loss of the
year-round
habitat
on the keys that adversely
these
affected
females. Such islanal nests were probably always peripheral
to
189
the population
core and rlot highly
protluctive
owir|g to their
exposeal locations.
Nesting on islands
in the northeasterD
bay,
useCl by females from the coastal mainfand swamps has continueCl,
anal the known hest sltes used has increaseal over the study
Period.
Popufation
size
and structure
We bave founal alf size classes represented
in the population,
with a slight
refative
under-representation
of Juvenite
animals.
we interpret
this result
to be caused by hiqh hatchling
norratiry,
rapid growth rates,
and a bias of survey data against Juvenile
animafs.
It is irnportant that existence
of juveniles
indicates
that survival
is occurring,
although perhaps not at the level
found in the protected
habitats
on northern Key Largo (l.lo1er pers.
connn. J .
The sex structure
of crocoililes
captured is biased ln favor of
females.
Our best estimate of the sex ratio is 2tt (n=24). at
is not possible
to determine whether the bais is real or the
result
of differentlal
catchability.
The lower proportion
of
mafes does not limit
breealing, as we found a very liriiteat
occurrence
(see beyond).
of infertility
To estimate the size of the Florida
population
of the Anerican
crocodile
we followeCl the nethod devised by chabreck (1966),
paranreters ateriveal fron capture,
using population
survey, anal
nesting alata,
In orlr primary study area in northeastern
Floriata
Bay, !,re estimate the nonhatchling
population
to consist
of 90
individuals.
We can extrapolate
this
figure
to the remainder of
the range using survey and nestinq alata.
Our estimate
for the
south Plorida population
as a whofe then is 220 nohhatchlings.
Because of the seasonal adilition
of hatchling
anihals.
we estimate
the population
seasonafly
carl increase to about 5?O animals,
averaging over the course of the year about 400 animals of al1
age classes.
Nestino
Bi.olo('v
The average nesting alate is May 5 (s=12.1 days) and the average
lratching alate is Jufy 29 ls=6.? days, r!=2'7, The average incubation
period is 85 days, rather than the 90 usually
reported.
The
nesting cycle of Florida
crocodifes
avoials the low temperatures
of wihter
and the high temperatures
of late sununer. It also
avoades
in most years, the potentially
desiccating
conalltions
of the dry season and the potentially
flooding
conditions
of ttre
peak of the railry season.
The average clutch size, based on 46
clutches, is 38-0 (s=9.45) . This is fess than the 44 previously
reported by ogden (19?8), who inadvertently
inclualed double
clutches
in his calculations
Tbe_fertiltty
rate was h19h, only 1Oz of 314 eggs being unbanated
llhtertl_Le
or very early embryo ateath) . The fertility
of eqgs rn
indlvidual
nests ranged from 46 to lOOz; in atl tut one nelt tne
fertility
exceedetl 84%-
190
Racoons (Procyon 1-.9!gf) were the only nest predators.
We founal
that racoon predation
was relatively
infrequent
anat unpredictable.
I'rom 1971 to 1982, 14X of 99 clutches were alepredated.
We
found that individual
clutches
could be protected,
if desired,by
placing
racoon traps at specific
nest sites where sign is cbserrted.
There do not appear to be indivialual
predators
that have learned
i:o seek out anal depredate crocodile
nests.
ogden (19?8) concluded that an importanr
factor
regutating
the
nuriber of American crocodiles
was ,'mediocre nesting success,
caused priharily
be failure
of eggs to hatch',.
He suggesteal that
edbryonic mortality
was the result
of low temperatures
in marl
nests.
We closefy examineal nest temperatures
to test this
hypothesis
anal found tbat they were not low enough to inhibit
development.
Clutch temperatures
averaged 31.5"C (28.4-35oC) in
nests in marl substrate
and30.0.C (26.7-33.6bC)
in nests ilr
sand substrate (1984), as part of our overall
Lutz and Dunbar-cooper
study,
examined the gaseous environment
of the eqg charrber.
They founal
that concentrations
of O? and CO2 and hurnidity were alf within
expecteal ranges under usial
circunstances.
In investigating
the egg chamber envilonment,
we discorvereal
that the cause of embryonic mortality
was subtelranearr
flooding,
that is a rise of grounal water into the egg cavity
causing
asphlxiation
of the enbryos.
Such flooding
ls not recognizable
above grounal.
Subterranean floodinq
occurs in low-Iying
nests,
particularly
along creeks, during very high water conditionsWe also found that some embryonic mortality
can resuft
from
dessicationThis occurs only during very dry periods in
relativefy
high sand nestsOveral1. embryonic mortality
occurred ln 142 of afl known clutches.
Habitat
anal activity
areas
t{abitat
use and activity
areas were determined by aerial
and
boat surveys and by raalio telemetry.
Ten nonhatchling
animals
were telemetered
anal followed
for perlods ranging to over one
year.
The mean activity
range was 107.5 ha (s=?1.3 ha).
The
Iargest activity
area was 262 ha.
The aclivjty
areas of
alifferent
animals overlapped substantially.
Use of avalfable
habitat
was statisticalfy
non-random and crocodiles
remained for most of the yeai in coastal mangrove swamps.
prinarity
Crocodiles
ponds and sma1l streams
useal protected
rather
than open water or the bay.
Bemafes moved from the
mangrove swamps into Florida
Bay only during the nesting
season
when some nested on bay islands.
Because of this inland
pattern
of habitat
use, we found crocodiles
in
salinities
191
Mortalitv
Documented cases of mortality
of cloc.diles
larger
than hatchllngs
appear to be primarily
man-caused. Of 25 known mortalities
froh
1971 to 1984, all but six were relateal to human activities.
Most
aleaths were caused by automobiles
along highways, on U.S. 1, the
nrain road in Everglades National
Park, anai the road over Card
Key Largo. Ten adult
Sound to nortbern
animals were known to halE
died in 12 years, a rate slightly
less than one per year.
Manaqement needs
population
Our stualies have failed
to demostrate that the crocodile
in Florida
is decreasing.
We have, in fact,
evi.alence to suggest
that lecruitment
to the breetling population
occurs periodicallyAlthough the population
remains sma11 and isolated,
it is not ir1
inunediate alanger of extihction,
Most potential
constraints
on
population
growth are relativefy
minor and natural.
As a whole,
however. these natural
constraints
inhibit
any rapid population
increase,
as would be expected at the northern
Limits of the range
speciesof an othei^rise tropical
has alecreased somewhat from
The population's
range in Florida
Biscayne
historic
times due to the loss of habitat
in northern
Bay antl Miami Beach.
It is possible
that this
loss has been
compensateal by the artiflcial
babitats
on northern KeI l,argo and
Turkey Point.
This habitat
nodification
has been of benefit
to
crocodiles
in producing nesting sites where such previousfy
were
scarce or nonexistent.
As a result
of our findings,
we see no need for any drastlc
population.
nanipufative
management of the southern Florida
crocodile
Several conservation
concerns rernain bowever. The first
and most
important
is the protection
of habitat
on northern Key l,argo.The
acquisltion
of this land as part of the Crocodile
Lake Wi1d1lfe
Service
is continuing.
Refuge by the USFish
and Wifdlife
A
second concern is the continuing
mortality
of crocodiles,
esl€cialty
along highways. The future
revamping of US Higbway 1 from
adults,
Miaml to Key Largo provides
an opportunity
to halt such mortality
the roaalbed on trestles
mangrove
by placing
as it passes through
swamps. This ls much preferred
to simply installing
culverts.
as
has been alone as an internediate
neasure, in that crocodiles
moitalities
have occurred as individuals
crossed the highway not
pfans to
Abe thiral concern involves
far fron such culverts.
increase the flow of nater to the eastern reaches of Everglades
Natlonal
Park. Such ffows may ralse water level-s in creeks in
northern
Floridad
Bay, thereby threatening
the crocoallle nests
?he threat
increasing
subterraneaD
along tbese creeks.
of fulther
of such crocodile
nests needs to be alleviateal.
flooding
792
Literature
Cited
Chabreck, R,H- 1966.
Methods of determining
the size and
composition
populations
of Alligator
in louisiana.
Proc. S.E. Assoc. Game Pish Connr. 20. 105-712.
Dinrock, A.W. 1918. The Florida
447-452.
crocodile.
An- Mus. LT. 18:
Jacobsen, M.T. 1983. crocodilians
and islanalsi
state of
Anerican alligator
anal the American crocodile
in
lower Floriala
Keys. Fla. Fiefd Nat. fI:
7-24.
Lutz,
the
the
P. and A. Dunbar-Cooper.
1984. The nest environment
(Crocodr/lus
the American crocodile
Copeia
eql!!g).
1984:153-161-
of
I{azzott'i,
I-;I. and W.A. Dunson. In press. Aalaptations of
Crocodvlus
for life
in saline
Eg]Iljlg and alligator
water- Comp- Biochem. Physio].
Morre,
J. C. 1953. The crocodife
copeia 1953:54-59.
ogden.
J-c.
1978. Status and nesting blology
of t}le American
crocodile,
Crocodvlus ag']lg!q (Reptif ia, Crocodilidae)
in Florida- J. Herp. 12: 183-186.
Wyman, J,
J.
1870. On the existence
Sci. Arts.49:105-
193
in
of
Everglades
a crocodile
Nationaf
in
Park.
Florida.Am.
F ig u r e I . : R a n g e
o f t h e A r n e r i c acnr o c o d i l e( C r o c o d y l uasc u t u s )t n
s o u t h e r nF lo r i d a , I J S A .
ov.roll Ronge E
Cor6Ron96 El
N63tin0Ronqc@
-l
I
D
0
794
'rx
No!lingAroo!a
THE PRESENT' STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION
ACUTUS ON TT]E CARIBBEANISL.AND
OF CROCODYLUS
OF H]SPfrfbLA
John Thorbj arnarson
I'lorida
State Museum
and
schoof
University
of
of
Eorest Resources anal Conservation
- cainesville,
Florida
FL, 32611 _ USA
Tntroduction
The Amerlcan crocoalile.
gg!!.Uq, is the most widely
Crocodylus
alistributed
primarity
of the four New wortd crocodifes.
found
q. acutus ranges along both the Atfantic
in coastal regions,
and Pacific
coasts of soutbern Mexico, Centraf America anal
northern
South .Nnerica, as well as the southern tip of Florida
and the creater
Antillean
islanals of Cuba, ,f,amaica and
Hispaniola.
As with the great malority
of crocodi li ans , populati ons
of g. acutus have been decimated by a conbination
of hide huntino,
habitat
destruction
and wanton killing.
Althouqh
the species
(crooTbriciqe
as a whole is seriously
ilepteted
1982) a recent review of the overall
status of a. acutus reveafed
our lack of iletailed
information
fron many parts of the species
'rabge {King et a1. 1982) - Sinilarly
relatitety
few stuati;s been
done on the ecology of C. acutus. Toaiay, our best data on ecology
come from the population
in southern lforida
where studies have
been on-going since the early 19?0,s (Oqden 1979, Kushlan and
Mazzoti 1985). More recently
ecotogical
investigations
have been
initiated
in the Dominican Republic
(Ottennalder
anal fncbauscequt.
pers. conun.), Janaica (carrick,
pers- comn.), Venezuefa (SeaJas
(T h o r b j a r n a r s o n , i n p e p . ) .
1985) and Haiti
With fundinq fron the New York Zoofogical
Society,
my work on
Hispaniola
began in 1981, initiafly
is the Dominican Republic aDd
later
in Haiti,
Hispaniola,
shared by these two nations,
is the
seconat largest
anal most ecologically
ati_verse of the Greater
Antilles
176,I92 kr.:.2l- Visited
by colunbus in 1492, the isfanal was
settleal by the Spanish in the earfy 15th century,
displacing
the
indigenous
Taino-Carib
indian cuftures. Follora,inq the more luclative
conquests of Peru and Mexico, the Spanish influence
in Hispaniola
wavered anai other nations,
most notably France,maale idroad;.
In
1697 the western third
of the isfand was cedeal to France. setting
the stage for the tater
revotution
and establishment
of llaiti.the
i.rorld's first
black republic,
ln 1804. Today, both Hatti
antt the
Doninican Republic face major ecologicat
probtems stenuning fron
high population
densities
and centuries
of misuse. This is
especiafly
true of Haiti,
the poorest country in the New Worlal,
where sol1 erosion has reached crisis
proportionsThe native
wildlife
has similarly
suffered
from overhunting,
habitat
loss and
the introduction
of exotic
species.
ToCIay the crocodile
remains
one of the few large native species stil1
found on the islanal-
195
problems, HisDaniofa stilf
retains
awiCle
Despite its ecological
(vhlch
types within
its diverse topography
variety
of habitat
includes the caribbean's highest point, pico Duarte 3175 m).
crocodiles,
while still
found in typical
coastal habitats, remain
in larger
nurnbers in two land-locked
lakes surrounaled by arial
This account wiff
briefly
the status of
semi-desert.
outline
populations
in both coastal anal lake babitats,
and
crocodile
which impinge onthem.
some of the human-relateal factors
describe
Inland
A.
Lake crocodile
Popufatioos
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
The cu1-de-sac,/valfe
de Neiba depression is a 1ow-fylng valley
east from Haiti's
capitaf
Port-au-Prince
to
that streches
containetl in this vaffey
Barahona in the Dondnican Republic.
lakes; r,ago Enriquillo
and Etang
are the island's
two largest
Saumatre. Boralered to the north and soutb by a series of
recently
a submerged
mountain ranges, thls valIey was until
in the Pleistocene,
water was trappeal
Uplifted
marine strait.
creating
in a series of depressions
four lakes which now support
biota.
The largest
of
and freshwater
a mixed marine-coastal
became the two
lakes that now support
these alepressions
populations.
crocodile
in the Dominican Republic,
is the largest
of
Lago Enriquillo,
scrub habitat
the lakes and is surrounded by a dry cactus-thorn
situated
approxinately
700 fiun rain annuallyreceiving
has concentrated
evaporation
approximately
35 m below sea level.
45 parts per thousand
is presently
the lake water and the salinity
(ppt) . old coral reefs,
intact,
are scattereal
some virtually
recent uplifting.
evialence of the region's
around the fake fringe,
in rainfalf.
the lake level has varieal
Owing to fluctuations
in the past. since 1979, follcnlting a series of
considerably
5 meters,
Lago Enriquillo
has risen approximatefy
hurricanes,
Prior to 1979
used for agriculture.
inunalatinq land previously
(70-80 ppt) causing severe
wan much higher
the lake safinity
problenrs
fauna. During this tifi\e juvenile
ion-balance
for the lake's
to a few freshqrater
\,ras apparentlY
restricted
crocoalile
recruibnent
entered the
runoff
marsb habitats
where springs or irrigation
some
Iake. As the major nesting areas ale located on islands.
rough water,
t})e
from shore over frequently
several kilometers
perj.shed from dehydration
great majority
crocodiles
of hatcbling
several weeks of hatchingwithin
IsIa cabritos.
the
during this period of low water.
Furthermore,
largest
island
and the site of much of the nesting
fake's
activity,
became connected to the rnainland- This provided access
animafs (J. A. otte$/a1aler, per.
to the islanal by poachers anal feral
196
?he recent rise in lake levef has alifuted the water in Lago
Enriquillo,
again isolated
Isfa cabxitos,
and flooded fringiag
woodfanal in several areas / creating
quality
a bettel
habitat
for Juvenile
and adult clocoaliles.
Additionallt.
in i982
severaf yearling
crocoaliles were found living
in srnall pools
on fsla Cabritos,
suggesting
that
at least some of hatchlings
now able to tolerate
the more aliluted fake waterDespite the narginal
habitat. conditions,
Lago Enriquillo
remairls
the
largest
anal most locaIly
tlense C. acutus population
khow.
Since 1977 scientists
from the Museo Nacionat de Historia
Natural
in Santo Dondngo have been studying
the ecology of the crocodiles
in Lago Enrlquillo.
At least 6 nesting beaches are known, anal the
annual number of nests has been estimated
as 1OO-150 (J.A.
Ottenwalder
and S. Inchaustegui,
pers. comm.). Assuning a similar
population
structure
and nesting
frequency as in neighboring
Etang Saumatre ( Tborbj arnars on, in prep.)?
this suggests as
adult population
of 385-525 adult crocodiles,
population
or a iotat
of 2,452-3,344. With 130 kn of shoreline,
the crocodite density
inLago Enriquillo
is 18.9-25.7 crocodiles/km,
or an estinrated
biomass of 1A8.4-256.1 kglkm. These figures
represent
only general
estimates
as we lack more precise dempgraphic data. However, the
density values are close to those teported
by Cott and pooley
(I972) for nearly undisturbed
populations
of Crocodvfus nitoticus.
This suggests that the population
in lago Enriquitlo
nay.e
in
a nearly pristine
state.
Nevertheless,
poaching stifl
takes p1ace,
despite protective
legislation
patroltlng
anal occasional
by pafk
guards and Nationaf
Museum personnel.
In the Dominican Republic
host of the crocodifes
kilfeal
are adult mafes whose penis is
used for making aphrodisiacs.
Isla
Cabritos
has been designated
park by the goverrmEnt
a national
in order to prolect
the crocodiles
and the endemic ground iguana
Cyclura ricordi.
Due to recent budgetary contraints
is the naticnal
parks departnent,
however, adequate patrolling
of the lake has
not been taking pface- r'urthermore/
the boundaries of t})e park
do not include the critical
freshwater
marsh habitats
that frihdF
the lake in several areas {see Conservation
Status and
Recorunendations).
B.
HAITI
Etang Saumatre, located only 10 km west of Lago Enriquillo,
is
Haiti's
largest
take. Approximately
two-thirds
the size of Lago
Enriquillo,
Etang Saumatre (113 kn 2) 1s similar
in qeotoqical
origln,
but very drfferenl
in ecoloqy from its siste;
lak;.
Located 15 meters above sea level,
Etang Saumatre, instead of
(8-10 ppt) ? and so contains
being hypersaline,
is brackish
a
much more diverse biotaSimilarfy
surrounded by a cactusthorn
scrub habitat,
the valley
region containing
both lakes in
sparsely
inhabited,
a factor which has siqnificantlv
reduced the
potenLral
for human impact on the c.rocodiie populations.
197
into the
of a 13 nonth investigation
Etang saumatre was the site
The adult crocoalile
ecology of g. acutus (ThorblaEBarsaD, in prep.).
population
in Etang Saumatre is much smaller than in aaUacent Lago
70. Most of the crocodlfe
nurnberlng approximately
EnriquiIfo,.
qtong t}le uninhabited
eastern fakeshore,
populatlon
is concehtrated
protected
from the prealoninantly
which is also the shore most
of all
of crocodiles
the crude dehsity
winds. overall,
easterly
shoreli.nes avoided by the
size clasEes is 6.3/km shore. omitting
(steep rockl or higb wave exposure) the ecofogical
clocodiles
density is 9.6,/km (bionass 92.3k9/kr.:.).
of the boraler between
owing to a somewhat fortunate
Juxtaposition
Etang
Saunatre is
lakeshore
of
colntries,
the
eastern
the two
Together
zone adjacent to the border.
locateal in a restricted
with a recent ban on boats from the lake and a lack of freshwater
along the eastern takeshore this has kept tbe eastern part of the
7-8 years. Prior to this
for
lake free from human habitatlon
anal charcoal
across the 1ake, and fishermen
boats would travef
As this part of
the eastern lakeshorevisitetl
nakers regularly
population
and
the lake contains a large part of the crocodile
have been of
virtuatly
all the nesting areas, these factors
for the
a de facto protection
malor importance in providing
in Etang Saumatre.
crocodlle
do not
crocodiles
Because the lake water is biackish,
hatchling
problems that theydo in Lago Enriquillo.
face the osmoregulatory
on the crocodiles
the inpact of huhan populations
Nevertheless
anal
this
fact is borD out
Saumatre,
i$
EtaDg
been
nore
severe
has
netting
lake.
GilI
in that
of
crocodifes
by the much lcffer Censity
dro'.?n in
ia colrltnonly seen in tbe lake and every year crocodiles
that take domestic stock are
crocodiles
these nets. Simifarly,
eggs are
and their
crocodiles
killed.
Although
in
and
baitetl
taboos
because of religious
ger}erally not eaten in Haiti
anifiListic vcodoo
play an inportant
role in the hiqhly
icrocodiles
people
botder
with the
poorer
near
the
sorne of the
religion),
to eating crocodj.le on occasion.
resort
Doninican Repubflc will
from
furttle-r- di.vorce'I
some of the hore educated people,
l,r.kewise.
f
o
r
sport'
o
r
L
1
l
1
t
:
r
'
r
will' eat crocodifes
beliefs,
these reiigious
in Etang
of adult crocoaliles
Another major source of mortality
saumatre is shooting by border guards at two posts on tbe lake
shooting ins often done
(Malpaso anal Las I,ajas).
This illegal
the meat anal the
to
obtain
by
the
Dominicans
or
out ;f boradon,
penis of the males.
coastal
crocodile
Popul ations
were once botb
accorDts suggest that crocodiles
Historical
(Moreau de
abundant and wialespread along the coast of Hispaniola
t
h
e
n
referred
r
n
H
a
i
t
i
.
1809).
fact
St. Mery 1?97-8, Descourtilz
specimens
described
of
the
thetype
focality
St.
Domj.ngue,
is
to as
from the
1 | Ester_ Artiticrrite
in 180? (probably
originating
by cuvier
redlonr.
198
fron 7Ox
crocoaliles have been extdrminated
in Haiti,
Presently
'lo
poltulations
that
coastal range, and those
f"..".
-u.""
oi-lft.i.in the
The
situation
in
size'
reduceal
drastically
!*r"i-rr"".
population
co-astal
one
only
as
worse
is even
Republic
fi;can
coast
on the noxthern
afong Haiti
that one borders
;";;;;
""'d
island.
of the
more or less restricted
Four coastal poputations
-one-third can be define'I,
(Fis'
1) on the
1) t
isfand
the
of
iJ-ir."-*.=i"'i
2) the western en'l of
coast of the Tiburon Peninsula,
islands)
saterlite
of Hispaniola's
"ootft"."
conave {the larsest
ii;-e;-i"
section
estuarine
the
4)
in
and
mabgrove swdnrP,
3l the ]'Ester
coastar lagoons '
Massacre and adjacent
.i tle niviere
'
are qulte snall and are restricted
Alf the coastal populations
contain suitable
that stilt
are'i
i =
;;i"ii;.iv;;-.;;;
"l"t"a
an'l the renalnrnq
diffLrse
very
are
populations
a. these
rtiu*l!.t.
estrmates or
are quite wary, no quanLjtative
individuals
by tle
jre
problems
dtte
-loss
dvail;bre.
size
-shared
"o**on
human-related
and
'
""""r"|j""
habitat
.i...
i"-"ri-iit...
:;;ili;;
tt
the latter primarilv"tt from drownins,in l]"Ii19.""t"
*-it"rity,
H
a
l
l
a
1
n
'
beinq ki 1 ted as vermin. As menliored Dreviousry .
'
for food because of religious
,beliefs
are not ki1led
foo'l'
for
are
croco'liles
Republic
"i".iair.
in the Dominican
-use'l penis for
However,
for melicional purposes' and the
lii""
i.t-i"
have
i.". rn border regions cro-ss-cultural influences
towar'ls
attitudes
Dominican
""iriital"
the
""ili.iii!i-i"t"iiti.".-iJ"ptr"q
;il";;a;
.i"."ail"t.
i""i-"U"i"".fy
but
This is evident to some exent in Etang saumatre'
'
Massacre
Rivj_ere
the
along the northern border on
that are- ki1le'l
nost of the croco'liles
in Haiti
with man'
contact
into
come
acci.lentallv
which
have higher
have been extirpated
regions where crocodri;;
coastal
thev still
where
areas
than
Qi' '9/k^2)
densities
ii*."-p"p"i.ir""
r
e
m
a
l
n
- rn
t
o
t
e
n
'
l
c
r
o
c
o
d
i
l
e
s
remain'(i34-6,/km2) . similarly,
(o'
coast)
39km2lkm
of coast
areas with more mangrove p"t iii"lnti"i
'-rhe
(o'05km2'/km)
hav-e b"e'' extj-rpated
;;;.-trr;y
;;;"";;;;
is s-isnificantlv
of these two factors
::iltl::"d
in coastal provlnces
crocodiles
of
"l.ir".ii."
presence or aoseocc
lrith the
(wilcoxon RanI test, P 0.05) '
Nevertheless!
'j;;-;;;;-;;;;.
Conservation
Status
and Recomendations
in the Domlnican Republic
protected
ale legally
Afthough crocodiles
taki;ng pl'ace '
currentlv
is
of this reqisiation
iiili"-."r"'."*.nt
ror both popuraEion (Laso
i" r..o priute*
;;;.;;';';;;ii;;"i
no
Rlo Massacre) ' rtr Hai!i ' crocodiles are afforde'l
Enriquillo,
would
passed
they
ancl even tt such iaws lrere
legal protection,
to entorce'
impossible
be almost
along the coast an'l the
Due to the burgeoning human population
in the rats-of
uni acceleraLion
need for .p".t,
-a..t."..i
concomitant
populations
crocodife
coastal
of
-urieht.on , tire future
'',_-;"a'".1y
iiiii"i
iflnediate
take
needs-to.
pominlcan
eepubtic
the
Massacre
t
h
e
R
i
o
o
f
estuarine sectlon
the
iicludinq
ri"pt-,"".ia"
of
one
is
area
this
As
natlonaa p"tit-tvti"''
in the exisiting
199
mangrove swamp 1t
few remaining areas of riverine
the country's
ecosystem and
the
coastal
in
role
biotia
.'..y_ i.pottant
ti.
"
consialered for protection'
be seriously
shoulal
in some coastal
crocoaliles have managed to survive
In Haiti,
pressures'
popufation
human
intense
frequently
tlespite
areas
jnFcsible
be
virtually
protection
of areas \tou1d
sirict
ailfr""qir
the
to
re'Iuce
do
rnuch
planning
could
i tlttt.
fo
i"Eo^prisir,
as
access
By
restricting
populations.
impact on the crocodile
areas (sucb as nestinq
nu;h as possibte to certain criLical
and designing 9i1l-netting
leactres ina nurserv habirat),
these smal1 coastal
to reduce crocoalile mortalitv,
;;;;;;.;.
c
h
a
n
ce of survival'.As
g
r
e
a
t
e
r
a
m
u
c
h
h
a
v
e
woulil
i"p"fuai"n.
in helping
no\'r
inteEested
are
ag.tt-re.
aid
international
;e;era1
p.lan'
management
zone
government develop a coastal
the Haitian
overalr
part
of
an
be
made
rec5mmendatj ons cou-Ld
;;;"ii;.
(e.9. manatees, flamjngos'
oioqr"* t" conserve coastal wildtife
nanv of which share the same habitats'
ind crocodiles)
i"i'i"iti."
and Etang Saumatre
in Lago Enriquillo
The crocoalile populations
Because ot tne
future'
secure,
from
but
far
have a brighter,
the lirnited.
a
n
d
sparse frumin populations surrounding them,
has
mortafity
}ake, human-related
saline
o? itl"..
it_"
chances
"="s"
the
""
and
areas,
coastal
the
in
than
fa"tt f"t"-"a"at"
In Etang Saumatra the ban on
protection
are betterior habitat
Furthermore' the.o o i t s s f r o u f a _U e c o n t i n u e d i n d e f i n a L e l y '
be declared a wildlife
to
eastern lakeshore needs
uninhabited
park
national
developing
newly
part
Haiti's
of
as
t
h
e
"i.tctuary,
;vstem (;hich lo date includes onLv montane areas) ' As
q
u
e
s
t
i
o
n
-Lhis
i
n
l
a
n
d
tr''
itr
owns virtualtv
iliii..'s;t.."t.nL
the
Provi'ling
government'
the
cost to
could be alone at little
also
patrolled,
this-would,
anal
naintained
i. p."p".fy
.t."
by helping to reduce the snuggling that occurs
pr"viae
ite"Ztitl
across the border.
should be
in Lago Enriquillo
The protsection of the clocodiles
u
r
s
e
n
t
l
v nePd t'
enforced ano the park boundaries
r"i.-riqidrv
the
around
marshes
incluale the vit-al freshwater
lJ-"*"iia.a't"
berng
is
input
freshwater
limited
take._As the lake's
managelnent
an integrate'l
fo! agriculture,
in-ieasi"qly
diverted
problen
of,freshwater
the
io be unalertaken to address
fauna'every
"f"" ttre"."ai
of tbe lake's
of the great najorrty
tit"Utooa
i.
into
tbe lake
supply
consrant
i
to
et1"r.t.e
be
made
.n""ra
.if"it
200
Li +aF.+i,ra
Cott,
.i
+ai
H.B. antl A.C. pooley.
1972. The status of crocodiles
Afrlca.
IuCNPubl- (N.S.) Suppt. paper 33: 1-98.
Descourlilz.
M.E. 1809. Voyages d'un naturaliste,
observations.
Historie
naturelfe
du crocodile
Domingue, etc
Dufort pere Lib-. paris 3: 11-108.
in
et ses
de Saint
Groon cridge,
B. 1982. The IUCN Anphibia-Reptilia
red data book.
Part 1. Testualines, Crocodl']ia,
Rhynchocephatia.
Unwih
Brotbers Ltd.. Surrey U.K. 426 pp.
King.
F.w., B.w. campbell and p- Mofer- 1982. Revielr of the
status oftle
American crocodile.
IUCN pubf.
{N-S-) TSBN
2-4o32-209-x. p. 84-98.
Kushlan, J. and I'. Mazzoti.
1985. popul-ation biologry anal status
of the American crocodile
in south Florida.
IUCN pub1. {N.S,)
(this volume) l4oreaude St. MerI, M.L.E. 1797-8. Descriptlon
topographi c, phys ique ,
politique
civife.
et historique
de la parte Francaise de
frisle
de Saint Domingue. 2 vols. Societe ale I'Historie
des
Cofonies I'rancaises et Libraire
]-arose, paris288 and e56 pp.
Ogden, J.C. 19?8. Status and nesting biofogy
crocodile,
Crocodvlus ag.U!]lq. (Reptilia,
Florida.
J. Herpetol. 12 (2): r83-196.
of the .A"nerican
Crocodifialae)
in
Seijas,
A.E. 1985. Situaci6n
actual del caimjn de 1a costa,
(Crocodyl-us acutus) en Venezuela. IucN publ.
(N.S.)
(this
vofune).
207
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E
I
SOCf,AL BEHAVTOR OF'THE AMERTCANAIIJIGATOR
Kent A. vfiet
UDiversity
of Ftorida
Department
of zoology
GainesviIle,
Florida 32611. USA
Introduction
The study of alligator
behavior is a rather young fielal wlth
almost alf of the significant
contributions
occuirino
in the
last two decades. Early account.s, such as those of n6ese
(1907, 19ls), Kellosg (1929), and Mcrfhenny (1935) were
anecdotaf observations
but provided some useful
information.
Even these scanty earty references
inaticated a complexity
of
behavior far more advanced that of other reptiles.
The excellent
work of Leslie carrick
and Jeffrey
Lang {Garrick
and Lang, 19??; carrick
et al- 1978) provided the first
atetaifeal
anafyses of alligator
social
behaviorThese studies noteal
complex patterns
of social
conununication involving
visuaf,
auditory
and tactile
signals
and provided further
evialence of
the highly
advanced nature of the behavior of these animals The social bebavior of the Anerican atligator
is a comptex
array of acts facking
nuch of the behavioraf
stereotypy
corunon
to the behavior of other reptiles.
Tbeir highly
vocal nature,welt
developed parental
care, anal tbe variabilitt
oi behavioral
responses in social
interactions,
al1 make the behavior of
alligators
far more similar
to that of birals and marffnafs than to
that of the other reptile
groupsThe present paper describes
certain
aspects of the social behavior
of the American alligator
in captivityThis is not a review of
all that is known of the behavior of tlese crocoalilians
but 1s,
rather,
a general deplction
of some of the observations
of
alligator
social
behavior,
specificatly
of altigator
courtship
and of two assertion
alispfays, the betlolr and the law-ctap.
A
detailed
analysis
of the inforhation
described below will-be
published
elsewhere.
Methoals
Study site:
This study was conducted at the St. Agustine Afligator
Iarm, a privately-o{ned
comrnercial tourist
atraction
in St. Johns
country,
I'lorldaThe study site is a smatt, man_nade take of
approximately
1/4 hectare surface area surrounated by another 4/10
hectare encfosed land surface containing
a large number of captive
aduft American atlioator:s.
The Iake is i)orCereal with native coastat
dune vegetation
domlnat.C by Southern Live oal(, Saw palmetto,
and
Yaupon holly.
Deep grouno wetts provide a constant f-l ow of watertnto
the lake throuqhout
the year. Th; take is traversed
fy
boardwalk raised severat fee! above the water surface
"-wooae"
from
which
oDservations
of behavior are made. The alfigators
within
the take
are lTabltuated to the daily presence of tou;ists
on the boaralwafk
and apparently
lrehave naturally
while being
observeal.
203
through
were made from early April
Observations
Study methods:
mial-,f,une from 1981 to 1983. These periods encompassed the whole
season and extenaleal up to the period of egg
of the courtship
hours
were made prinarily
during daylight
Iaying.
Observations
were
to dusk. Some observations
fight
intermittently
from first
naale at night using image- intensi fying equipment- Most
on tatrErectolders
recortled
were nade from the boaralwalk.
observations
naale
were usually
Behavioral
observations
and later
transcribealvisual
records of
from 4 to 15 neters from the afligators.
and 1,/2"
I nm movie filh.
behavior wele made wlth 35 mm slides,
and other audible behaviors
viaeo, Recoralings of vocalizations
Some
and shotgun nicrophone\{ere made with a Nagra Iv recorder
condnunication
observations
were made in the water to stualy visual
of alligators.
of the study population
fhe size anal composition
Study animals:
contained
varied between the three stualy seasons. The population
ranging in lengtb
between 145 and 165 adult American alllgators
the group changed
from 2.0 m to 3.2 n. The sex ratio within
or I renoved and aaltleal
between stuaty season as Farm personnel
During the 1981 season, there were approximately
new individuafs.
1.3 nales per female, in 1982 only 0.8 males for each female, and
in 1983 about 1.1 males per female.
prior
{ere
to each study season/ all anirnafs in the population
visible,
captured,
sexed, measured, and marked. Large, highly
single
caualal whorl
nu bered tags were attached to an anterior
These tags were
identificationfor individual
of the taif
easlly
readable up to 40 meters. The tags were changeal before
alue to
in the observations
each new stualy season to realuce bias
know.Iedgeof an anrnal's past behavioral history.
courtshlp
in afligators
is a slow, extendeal process involving
courtship
senory cues. In
and probably olfactory
visual,
tactife,
auditory,
season extends from the second weel<
St. Augustine,
the courtship
intensity
of April
to the end of May, with a peak in courting
is seen throughout
about the third week of May. Although courtship
occur during
of copulations
this two month perioal, the majority
powerful
are large,
the last tlro weeks of May. Adult alligators
one another- This extended period of
and very capable of injuring
is thougbt to be necessary to reduce the ]evels of
courtship
or lr1thin a
aggression or anxiety between two individuals,
population,
so that close approach, mounting and mating can occur.
Levels of aggression alo seem to be reduced during the courtship
fewer
There are significantly
season in these captive alligators.
during the two
within
the study population
serlous inluries
season than during the two month period
months of the courtship
proceeding courtsh:ip.
can De qrouped
courtship
in..l1iEator
acts involved
Tl'ese are:
categories.
functional
Behavrors 'elaLeo ro the lr+roduction of partrers;
pair;
ot the courting
the l3gllle
.interaclions
and
strengtht
contests of
Phvsicaf
Mountino and associated behaviors.
Behavioral
into four
204
These
groups ale not
-functional
courtship
as acts from aliffereht
necessarily
categories
sequential
are often
ln alligator
interhixed.
1. Introdgction:
Alligator
courtship
is instigated
by one animal
swirmning to another and either
initiating
tactile
interactions
or
remalning still
untif
the second aninal begins interactionsIntroductory
behavior may inctude the initiating
animal blocking
the progress of a swilluntng alligator,
Visual co;munication
bet\"reen
partners
the potential
is important
in this phase of courtship.
The approaching animaf swims slow]y and remains low in the water,
often with only the eyes, nostrils.
anat cranial
table exposed.
upon approach, the second animal often raises its positi;n
in the
water thus exposing nrore of its body surface.
This appears to
serve-as a {arning
to the approaching animal. The very low body
profile
above the water surface assumed by an approaciring animat
seems to be perceived as a non-aggressive
slgnal by the aeconal
alligatorObviousty,
tbe non-aggressive
attitude
6t each animal
must be comnunicated to the partner
during this
phase
introductory
if courtship
is to continue.
Courtship may also be initiated
by an alligator
swiruning paralfel
to another,
eventualfy
overtaking
the second. As the laatar
attempts to turn out of this parattel
swim, the former persists
in naintaining
its position.
This persistence
eventuatly
stimulates
the latter
to sfow or stop and begin courtship.
A characteristic
vocalizati.on,
a fow, soft flutter,
is often maate
by one or both of the alligators
during the initial
phases of
courtship.
This ff\rtter
nay be produceal by an animaf as it
approaches another or as it is approached. This fluttering
vocalization
is made in short bursts
and produces ripples
in t})e
water surroundinq
the head of the alligatorIt is obviously
perceived
tactilfy
by the second animal when they are in conract.
The function
of this audible signal
is unknown although it
probabfy serves as a warning of a cfose approach or a caution to
an approaching animal,
2- Tactile
interactions:
Following
introduction.
the approaching
anlmaf may make physicalcontact
with t}le second or remain stilf.
If tbe second alligator
is responsive,
it wilf
move forward and
begin tactile
interactions
with the former. Tnitiat
contacts
are
nost usually
made either
at the premaxiflary
or tbe retro_articufar
process of Lhe ]olrer jaw, dependrnq on Lhe direcLron of approach
of the alligator
initiating
the interaction.
Throuqhout t-he
tactile
and physical
contest phases of courtshlp,
the interaclrng
alligators
orient
themselves to each other in a position
which T
tern a "face-off,,.
one in which the heaals of
borh animals are
parallel
but facing in opposjte directions.Touches
to the head
and neck of the partner
are made from this face-off
orientaEron
and the courting
animafs return to it repeatedly
during the tactile
interactions.
often,
only one of the animals actively
oositrons
hinself
so as to assume the face-off,
but many times b;th aninals
move simultaneously
into the positlon,
inaticating
a cooperative
aspect to alligator
courtship.
205
soft bumps but ocasicnally
Touches to the head aqd neck are usually
partner.
once it
forcefully
ram or push lts courting
an animal will
backs slightly
and then moves
the alligator
has made contact,
contacts are usualfy made
forward again to make another contact.
pait
premaxlllary
but if the touching
the
of
tbe
with
anterior-most
table of the other, contact
animal rldes up onto the snout or cranial
to discreet
is natle lrith the under side of the jaw. rn addition
back
and
forth
along the
w:11
rub
touches, courting
alligators
siale of the head of the partner.
anal
tactile
ihteractions,
After the initial
3. I)hysical contests:
the
alligators
behaviors,
subsequent
tactile
with
also intermixeal
anCI resj-stance involving
contests of strenqth
engage in physical
by one aninraf to press the other unaler r,ratel. Trom a
attempts
raises its head
positlon,
the other,
one animal circfes
face-off
of the second,
nuchaf
scales
cranial
table,
or
up onto the snout,
or
vigorousfy
and presses down. The second anlmal may resist
If the second is pressed under. the first
submit to the presses.
The submerged animal
to keep lhe second from resulfacing.
tries
pressing
anlmal and
unaler
the
backs
turns
out
from
or
usually
animals are often held undei ltater
rises to the water surface.
for periods of up to five minutes although most presses alo not
last more than 20 seconds. Belng pressed unaler seems to stimulate
in further
its interest
the alligator
rather tban diminish
back into a facecourtship
and both animals usually nove directfy
from pressing interactsicns.
4. Mounting:
Mounting nay folIow directly
can rotate
alligator
once an animaf is being pressed, the superior
hj-nd-linncs
onto the
and
lift
foreto the other,
}]is body parallef
position.
a
itself
up
into
mounted
draw
of
the
other
and
dorsum
continue fron the mounteal position.
Pressing behaviors usually
obvious aluring this phase of
are especially
These behaviors
animal rises to the surface,
the
subordinant
Every time
courtship.
moves to press it unaler the surface
the mounteal animal quickly
again.
has been mounted and presseal under, it usually
when an alligator
and
moving forward
or alternates
beglns swinuning forwaral,
tryinq
to move out from under the nounted
apparently
baiking
the
animal, Tf it is atlowed to bring its head to the surface.
pressed
again,
when
under
sti11.
renain
wiIl
usually
lower afligator
in
it begins swiruning once more- If the upper animal is persistent
the lower alliqBtor
and in pressing
its mounted position
maintainiog
slow or stop- It seens
eventuafly
will
under water, the latter
is
activity
by one aninal in courting
that this persistence
to a1low nating to
the other alligator
important
in stimulating
take place.
rolls
over
the upper alligator
once the lower aninal is still.
his hold witb
maintaininq
onto the side of tle fower, while still
and beqins sNeeping or "searching"
both fore- and hind-linbs,
contact that of the lower
when its tail
motions with it tail.
animaf, it is passeal underneath and then drawn forwaril to bring the
to occur. Copulation was never
vents in contact for copulation
seen to fast nore than 35 seconds in the course of this study.
206
All of the behaviors described above occur at the water surface.
This is an indication
tlat
visuat
signals must be very important
in i.nitiating
and propagating
a courtship
interaction.
On-ce one
animaf has nrounteal the other.
they may drop below the surfaceDeep nater is not necessary for copulation
to take place- Many
instances
of copulation
in fess than tr^ro feet of waier have
been observed,
Participants
in Courtship:
I have nraateno mentlon to this point
as to the sex of the participating
animals. Al1 of the behavrors
describeal above are perforned by both males anal femates - At the
beginninq
of the courting
season, usuafly
in the seconat week of
Aprif
in St- Augustine,
many of the males beqin to exhibit
courting
behaviors.
As the season progresses,
more and more males
becone active
in courtship
or courtship-like
encounters,
so that
by the eDd of the first
month of the courting
season, atmost a1l
of the males whicb wifl
court t}lat year are alreaaly engaging in
courtship.
Fenales behave quite differently.
very iew iemales
are active
in courtship
encounters at the start
of the season- It
is only aluring the peak of the season, aiuring the last two or
three weeks of May, that the majority
of the femaies whi c'h wilf
court that season become actlve.
f'emales actually
appear to avoicl
contact with other alligators
i!.r the population
anat spend much
more time of land in the basking areas than do the males. A
consequence of these differences
is that the averaqe rnafe has d
very fong courtship
period,
often encompassing the entire
season,
whife an effective
courtship
season for an av;rage female is much
shorter,
usuafly
less than two weeks- ttowever, when females are
active,
they tend to initiate
most of the courtsbips
anal
vigorously
court the mates, often mountlng and pressing mates
much larger
than themselves under lraterperhaps as a result
of the relative
scarcity
of active courting
females, many of lhe,,courL-nip
interactions
observed in this
study invofved only male pdrtrcipancs.
In fact, during the first
part of the courtsbip
season, interactions
occur afnost exctusively
between males. These interactions
are, in almost every way,
exactfy
like the courtshir interactions
between mafes and femalesAny differences
between tlhese interactions
and actual courtships
are most probably due to the relatively
large size of both
participants.
For instance,
physical
contest behavlors
are very
prevalent
in these interactlons.
It is not known if these nalemafe interactions
occur among alligators
ln nature buy they are
know to occur among alligators
in other captive situations.
I'emafes very rarely
interact
with other females.
Periods of Courtship Activity:
As stated previously,
courtship
is a highly
seasonal activity
anat is generatfy
observed in St.
Augustine from the seconal week of April
through t}le tast week of
May or first
week of June- Some variation
in time of onset and
in intenslty
of courting
actlvity
does occur. This appears to be
due primarily
to meteorological
features
such as fow night time
air tenperatures
or low water temperatures.
In a geographic
sense, courtship
activities
are initiated
earlier
in the spring
in southern ]ocalities
than in more northerlv
areas.
207
throughout
the alay. In the
ColrtinE intensity
varies
dramatically
is obvious at first
1lght
early part of the season, courtsbip
the sun reaches the western basking areas in
and proceeals until
is most intense during these early
the lake. courting
activity
tlalt
most of the alligators
morning hours. At this point,
only
ibteractions
and leave the water for these basking sites.
ifl,
or
animals (blind.
farge,
alominant males and a few infirm
Basking contilrues
tbroughorh
missihg limlcs) remain in the water.
the water to move
re-entering
the day with animals sporadically
to the eastern basking areas as the sun moves to the west. The
only after
again enter the r"/ater and resu.'ne courting
alligators
the sun j-s off of the eastern basking areas at dusk.
later
in the season as daytime higb,
This pattern
is modified
increase.
During the latter
niqht tine low, anal water temperatures
part of the season, afligators
spend Less time basking and,thus,
as the animals have entereal
develops
a rnialalay period
of courtship
the water foflowing
the morning bask and before they again bask
is never as intense at midday
activity
in the evening. Courtship
as it is in the morning or evening hours.
the night,
However, as nocturnaf
courtship also occurs throughout
from
does not appear to be different
courtship
is never intense,
to observe,few
diurnal
activity,
and is much nore difficult
courting
activity
were made at niqht.
observations
of courtship
in the evening.
at last liqht
does seem to drop off quickly
low throuqhout
the night and then itrcleases
remains fairly
light.
noticabfy
about one hour before first
occurs anytime
season, courting
During the peak of the courtship
of courting
ancl
the animals are in the water. The daily pattern
basking describeal above is allsrupted on daYs of inclement r,reather.
spend the
on heavily
overcast or rainy days, the alligators
the
day in t}le water and courtshiF is observeal throughout
entire
is siqnificantly
more intense in the ea!1y
day- Even so activity
morhing anal late evening hourshas afso been
intensity
in courting
A great deal of variation
noted between stualy season. During the 1981 study season, coultship
nuriber of
in terms of total
was much more vigorous.
activity
observed, length of courtships, number of courtships
courtships
than in the
antl nunber of copulations,
l-eading to mounting,
and earfy spring
two stucly seasons. late winter
following
night time low temperatures
neteorological
conditions.
especially
for
might be responsable
effects
on water temperature,
and their
two stualy seasons
noted in the latter
the reduceal activity
suggest they are keenly
movements and basking behaviors
Alliqator
unseasonally cold weather may
to arrbient temperatures,
sensitive
hortnonally or through some other physiological
cause. either
behavior.
of afligator
courting
means, a decrease in the intensity
Beflowino
and audible signafs
are highly
vocal reptiles
Alfigators
calfs of
The grunts or distress
in many social
contexts.
are wefl kno}In to anyone who has handled small alligators.
208
are useal
Juveniles
Aalult
affigatots
make vocalizations
or other non-vocaf sounds aturing
threatened,
during aggressive
courtship.when
encounters,
and in
many other social
interactions.
Adult alligators
produce a
loud, low flequency roar, or bellowThis vocalization
is most
commonfy heard during the courtship
season, although it may
occur anytime in the year when the animats are active.
The
bellowing
of one animal stimulates
others in the population
to
bellow producing a "chorus".
choruses are typically
heard in
the early morning hours although choluses of much shorter
duration
may be bearal anytime during the Clay or night.
The bellowing
display
involves
a regular
and highly
stereotypeal
series of repeateal inhalations
ancl exhalations
performed in a
characteristic
body posture with both the head and tail
arched
out of the water. The audible bellow is produced with the folceal
exhalati.on.
A series of beflows are performed in a betlowing
"bout",1n individuaf
alliqator
nay perform more than one bout
during a rnorning chorus.
Tbe bellows of male and female alligators
in a nufirber of
differ
characteri st i cs . The cadence of the display
of the mates is much
slower than tbat of the females - Males also tend_ to perform
fewer belfows per bout tban do females- Most importantly,
nales
produce an infrasonic
projected
signal,
through t}le water, Just
prior
to the audible be1low. Females never produce this infrasoni.c
signal.
This signaf is so powerfuf that it makes the water
suffoundinq
the alfigator's
torso ,,dance,, up off of the water
surface.
The "nater dance" of a large male can cause vibrations
ln
preliminary
the ground and other nearby objects.
analysis
of
this subaudible signal
suggests a frequency of approximately
10 hz.
The fength and intensity
of the infrasonic
signal decreases through
a beflowing
bout. The mechanism by wbicb tle siqnal is produced
Bellowing
choruses occur almost daily throughout
the courtship
season. Tn the first
part of the season, cioruses are somewhat
irregufar,
vary greatfy
in length,
and on some days alo not occur
at allAs the season progresses/
choruses become more predictable.
Through the courting
season, as sunrise becomes earlier,
choruses
also are initiated
earlierIn the fast half of May, when
courtship
is at its peak, belfowing
afso is most intenseAt this
time, there are characteri s ti cal ly two choruses each morning; one
very early,
usually before sunrise,
and another later
in the
morning. After
courtship
has ceased, morning beflowing
choruses
appear to be much fess regular
and less intense,
although they
occur sporadically
throughout
the remainder of the summer anal
BeIlowinq
fafl.
is only rarely
heard in the winter
months.
The length and intensity
of bellowinq
choruses seem to be a case
of social
facilitationThe few records of average belfowing
chorus length which have been published
seen to inalicate that
morninq bellowing
choruses continue
for fonger periods of time
in farge populations than in smaller ones. Herzog's (19?4) study
described
a captive population
of approximately
26 adult alligators
and noted an average chorus length of 11.3 minutes. carrick,
et a1
(1978) stated that the average length of bellowinq
choruses of a
qroup of about 35 alligators
peaked at 21.5 ninutes.
In the
209
for the entire
courtship
present
the average chorus fegnth
study,
popufation
for the total
of
season in 1983 was 35.4 ninutes
maintained at the Farm.
350 adult afligators
approxinately
the
the grater the number of aninafs in the population,
Obviously,
and propagate
grater
to initiate
the numlrer of animals available
in shallow water with the animals
Bellowing
sites
are typically
animals
chorus is initiated
after
facing the bank. If a bellowing
bave moveal orto land in the morning, many of these animals }'ill
in the chorus- A lesser number of
to water to participate
return
basking sites and belfow
animals lri11 renain on their
displaying
on 1and.
poorly undelstood.
The lntensity
The function
of the bellow ls still
season of alfigators
of beIfol,/ing associated r^rith the courting
Alligators
sexual component to the display.
suggests an important
to one anothe! aluring
of opposite sex are obviously
attracteal
seasonchoruses, especially
during the peak of the courtship
The fact that bellowing
choruses are heard at other times of the
as wel],
year suggests that bellowing
may serve other functions
of
perhaps as an agonistic
between
menibers
alisplay
or assertion,
the same sex.
Head-S lappirlo
perform an assertion
to as a tread-slap
display
referred
Alliga!or
The dispfay
i.s performed from a head-uP, taif-up
or a jaw-cfap.
to
posture similar
About fifteen
to that used during belfowing.
is
rapidly
posture.
the
lower
assuming
this
1? seconals after
Jaw
of the water and tlte upper jaw is forcefully
dropped to tbe surface
being
usua]ly accompanied by the entire
ctapped against it,
growling
slapped against the water surface and a aleep, gutteral
animal
This act is often followed by the displaying
vocalization.
rising
up out of the water in a "high stance" accompanied by a
The tail
swish
of the water with the tail.
vigorous thrashing
produces strong waves which alert
alligators
under water that a
of the head against the
display
has been made- The slapping
The
water surface is most probably heard by subnerged alligators.
The
the display.
emphasizes or streogthens
taif
swish obviousfy
and tactile
vi.sual auditory
thus includes
head-slap display
of afl other alligaLors
draws the attention
components and easily
Any
in form anal intensity.
are highly
variable
Head-slap displays
high
such as the growfing vocalization,
component of the display,
Males may proaluce an
swish, maY be onitted.
stance, or tait
prior
In contrast
to the aiisplay.
signal
immediately
lnfrasonic
of
these infrasonic
series
of
up
to
eight
displays.
a
with bellowing
afthough only one
bursts nay be performed before the head-slap,
swish nay also begin before the
is normally produced- The tail
or may not
made and proceed through the display
clap is actually
be made at all.
210