Panamanian Researchers Present Data on American Crocodile Population

Researchers from the Technological University of Panama (UTP) have presented key information on the population and habitat status of the American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus) in the country. This species, which has the widest distribution in the neotropics, is present in 18 countries and is considered the third most threatened species in the Americas due to the loss and fragmentation of its habitats. The study, led by Dr. Miryam Venegas-Anaya, also known as 'Doctor Crocodile,' aimed to assess the status of habitats, as well as the distribution, abundance, and genetic diversity of American crocodile populations along Panama's Pacific coast. The objective is to provide the state with the necessary information to establish a long-term management and sustainable use plan for the species' most representative wild populations. As part of the methodology, researchers traveled over 600 km of national territory, conducting ecological surveys and nocturnal inventories in the most important rivers of 32 hydrographic basins in Panama's Pacific region. They used protocols from the 'Manual for Monitoring the Morelet's Crocodile,' validated for Panama's environments and species by Dr. Venegas-Anaya and her team, and backed by the IUCN SSC Crocodile Specialist Group. This research allowed for a rapid health assessment of the populations, identification of critical habitats, and detection of threats such as loss of nesting areas or habitat fragmentation. Additionally, they evaluated the genetic diversity of the populations through the amplification of microsatellite molecular markers, which strengthens conservation and sustainable use efforts. Although considered an estuarine species, it is found in various habitats, from inland brackish lakes to freshwater bodies, where it provides important ecological services, such as controlling prey density. The study also evidenced that a lack of knowledge about crocodile biology and behavior contributes to increasing human-crocodile conflicts. In recent years, the number of conflicts between crocodiles and humans has increased significantly, partly due to the ban on hunting in 77 and the expansion of urban development. 'This is where the importance of this baseline study lies, which, although conducted partially, included the largest, most important, and most conflict-prone habitats in Panama, with the Pacific coast being the area that shows the greatest recovery of crocodile populations,' said Dr. Venegas-Anaya. 'Our goal was to assess the status of habitats, as well as the distribution, abundance, and genetic diversity of American crocodile populations in the Panamanian Pacific, with the purpose of offering the State the necessary information for the establishment of a long-term management and sustainable use plan for the most representative wild populations of this species,' said the principal researcher. This information constitutes a scientific basis for designing an effective national conservation strategy and promoting peaceful coexistence between people and this key species for ecological balance, promoting environmental education, community participation, and the sustainable use of this natural resource,' concluded the crocodilian specialist. It should be noted that this scientific study was carried out with the collaboration of the National Aeronaval Service (SENAN), the National Borders Service (SENAFRONT), the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI), and the Ministry of the Environment (MiAMBIENTE), with the latter being the main counterpart in the development of the 'Human-Crocodile Conflict Management and Administration Plan in Panama' project, currently underway.