Elsevier

Biological Conservation

Volume 8, Issue 4, December 1975, Pages 261-272
Biological Conservation

The role of commercial crocodile farming in crocodile conservation

https://doi.org/10.1016/0006-3207(75)90004-XGet rights and content

Abstract

Commercial crocodile rearing stations in Rhodesia are described, including regulations which govern their operation. When crocodile eggs are collected from the wild a quota of juveniles equivalent to 5% of the number collected must be released at the age of 3 years. Figures for hatching success and juvenile growth on rearing stations compared with wild populations indicate that both these parameters are better on the rearing stations. The growth rate on a rearing station is twice as fast as in the wild. Data on juvenile survival on the rearing stations suggest that it is of the order of 50% to the age of 3 years. No comparative information is available for wild populations. Survival of station-reared crocodiles after release into the wild is good, although growth slows substantially. Juveniles for release are a valuable tool in management, for restocking suitable areas or supplementation of natural recruitment. Crocodile farms may provide an answer to future management of this species, and a ready source of breeding stock is available in ‘problem’ animals which are relocated rather than shot. Crocodile rearing and farming in developing countries could provide the incentive to maintain a renewable resource rather than to exploit and destroy existing populations.

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    Paper presented at the Third Rhodesia Science Congress, held in Salisbury 2–6 September 1974.

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