Scientific Approach for Developing an Education Plan for Endangered Species
Recovery: the American Crocodile in Belize and Florida
Jocie A. Graham, Jodie Smithem and Frank J. Mazzotti
University of Florida, Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Janas Sinclair, Florida International University, Miami, FL
The American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus) occupies the northernmost limit of
its range in Florida and is also distributed throughout central Mexico south
through portions of Central America, including Belize, to northern South
America. According to the 1996 IUCN Red List this animal is listed as globally
vulnerable, meaning that a decline of greater than 20% has occurred in the past
three generations.
Even though their population was never high in Florida, the American crocodile
was declared an endangered species by the United States Fish and Wildlife
Service in 1975. The American crocodile had a historical range located as far
north as Lake Worth, Florida but is now restricted mostly to the southernmost tip
of the peninsula in Dade county, isolated areas in the Florida Keys, and Florida
Bay. In Belize, American crocodile populations occur along the length of the
Caribbean Sea coast as well as neighboring islands and cays. Crocodile hunting
was completely outlawed in 1981; it is not known how much enforcement of this
law is taking place. Off-shore islands and cays are now the stronghold for the
American crocodile in Belize.
The Florida human population is now five times greater than it was in 1950 and
the Belizean population is on the rise as well, leading to encroachment on prime
crocodile habitat. Also, crocodiles are reoccurring in areas that were once natural
but now inhabited by humans. This has lead to interaction of humans and
crocodiles in low-lying wetland areas, and both intentional and accidental feeding
of crocodiles. When these circumstances occur, crocodiles can pose a risk to
humans and pets. In Belize, fatal and non-fatal attacks have called attention to the
need for a crocodile management strategy (Finger et al. 2002) where residential
development is taking place and tourism development is planned in wetland
habitats. In Florida, increasing calls to state agencies about nuisance crocodiles
shows evidence of concern within residential areas. Fear and lack of public
education about crocodiles have resulted in crocodile mortality and relocation,
safety concerns, and an unsatisfied public.
The value the public places on wildlife, particularly crocodiles, and their
perceptions of the risk associated with these animals (whether insufficient or
exaggerated) may be key factors in understanding public response (Zinn and
Pierce 2002; Kellert 1983). Past research on attitudes towards animals indicates
that non-mammalian species are generally less valued than mammals, and this
may be particularly true when the non-mammal is perceived as dangerous
(Driscoll 1995). Even when an animal is regarded favorably, however, this
attitude may not translate into support for environmental policies. A study of Big
Pine Key residents found that liking for Key deer did not correspond with support
for land-use or other policies to protect their habitat (Liu, Bonzon-Liu, and
Pierce-Guarino 1997). Perception of a common fate between human and
nonhuman residents did, however, correlate with support for these policies.
Perceptions of risk from crocodiles may lead people to either overreact or fail to
exercise appropriate caution. Past research indicates that risk perceptions are
based on two components: knowledge and dread (Trumbo 1999). Knowledge
involves how well an individual understands the potential risk, how well experts
are thought to understand the risk, and how observable the risk is. Dread involves
perceived threat to self and others and the voluntary nature of the risk.
Knowledge and dread may also be related; a study of saltwater crocodiles in
Australia found knowledge and anxiety about these animals to be positively
correlated (Ross 1989). Inadequate knowledge and understanding of risk may
lead to dangerous behaviors such as feeding crocodiles, and tourists and seasonal
or newly arrived residents may particularly lack this understanding. Research on
ecotourism has indicated tourists may prefer to view wildlife, such as
rhinoceroses, at very close, or even touching distances, often for the purpose of
taking photographs (Hart 1997).
The solution to this dilemma lies in an education program that will increase the
local population’s awareness by teaching proper behavior whenever crocodiles
are in close proximity, and protecting valuable habitat for these creatures from
development. The cumulative effect of the general populations’ actions clearly
has potential for change in not only general public attitude, but policy making as
well. However for this program to be successful, appropriate educational
methods must be derived. The audience for this study includes those immediately
affected by crocodile-human interaction, local residents, and tourists.
To evaluate the effectiveness of the educational delivery, the project will be
evaluated in three steps. First we will evaluate if there has been an immediate
increase in public knowledge. Second, if there has been any application of that
knowledge has taken place. Finally it will be determined if the knowledge gained
from the crocodile education program has made any difference in public
awareness and behavior.
Literature Cited
Driscoll, J. W. (1995). Attitudes towards animals: Species ratings. Society and
Animals 3.
Finger, A., et al. Human-Crocodile Conflict in Belize. 16th Working Meeting of
the Crocodile Specialist Group. October 7-12, 2002. Gainesville, FL, USA.
Hart, L. A. (1997). Tourists' effects on drivers of working Asian elephants.
Anthrozoos 10: 47-49.
Kellert, S. R. (1983). Affect, cognittion, and evaluative perceptions of animals.
Human Behavior and Environment 6:241-267.
Liu, J. H., Bonzon-Liu, B., and Pierce-Guarino, M. (1997). Common fate
between humans and animals? The dynamical systems theory of groups and
environmental attitudes in the Florida keys. Environment and Behavior 29: 87122.
Ross, G. F. (1989). Some Crocodile Dundee aftereffects in Nothern Australia.
Psychological Reports 65: 991-994.
Sinclair, J.M., F.J. Mazzotti, and J.A. Graham. 2002. Motives to Seek
Threatened and Endangered Species Information for Land-Use Decisions.
Unpublished. [Ft. Lauderdale Research and Education Center, Ft. Lauderdale,
Florida, USA]
Trumbo, C. W. (1999). Heuristic-systematic information processing and risk
judgment. Risk Analysis 19: 391-400.
Zinn, H. C. and C. L. Pierce. (2002). Values, gender, and concern about
potentially dangerous wildlife. Environment and Behavior 34: 239-256.
Jocie A. Graham, University of Florida, Ft. Lauderdale Research and Education
Center, 3205 College Ave., Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33314, Phone: (954) 577-6304, email: jagraham@mail.ifas.ufl.edu