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Bathtub Breeding Protects Venezuelas Crocodiles

by Olga Sheean
LIFE In the Blohm household was never dull, reflects Cecilia Blohm.
"It was never easy taking a bath at our house Instead of sweet-smelling bath salts, our bathtub was usually filled with pungent sardines and several lively baby crocodiles Sometimes we forgot to take them out. For our unsuspecting gucsls. those were memorable occasions."
What began as a bathtub ex periment. was developed by Cecilia and Tomas Blohm into the most successful Orinoco crocodile breeding and reintroduction programme tn South America Now, some of 40 years later, the Blohm's private ranch — El Masaguaral — is one of three breeding centre involved tn the programme.
These centres, which now breed crocodiles in concrete tanks, provide hope for the long-term survival of one of the world’s 12 most threatened animals.
A group of specialists including the Blohms helped establish an Integrated conservation programme for the country's five crocodile species.
The Orinoco crocodile (Crocodylus Intcrmcdius) was selected as the priority. Funds were provided by the Fundacion para la Dcfcnsa de la Naturalcza (FUDENA). an associate of WWF — World Wide Fund For Nature.
Venezuela’s Orinoco River basin is the last remaining stronghold for the Orinoco crocodile. Once numbering several millions, the species was heavily hunted for commercial trade from 1920 to 1950, reducing wild populations to around 2,000 animals.
Now, the greatest threat to the crocodile is the destruction of Its habitat. On the Cojcdcs and Capanapara Rivers, crocodiles face food shortages as fish die from too much fertilizer In the water. Dredgers damage the banks and destroy crocodile nests. Under these conditions, the Orinoco crocodile is battling for its survival.
In the state of Ouarlco. the 2.500-hectare El Masaguaral ranch provides safe refuge to crocodiles taken from the Cojedcs River. These animals form the basis of the captive-breeding programme and are eventually released Into suitable protected areas.
In 1992. 200 Orinoco crocodiles were released into the wild. Last year's yield was Increased to 300 animals which were released into the Capanaparo National Park and Cano Guarltico Wildlife Refuge.
Scientists are still experimenting with the best age and conditions for release. Currently, the crocodiles are released when they are around three years old. and measure one metre long. "As the design and quality of our nursery tanks improve, wc plan to release one-year-old crocodiles In increasing numbers." said FUDENA biologist Alfredo Arteaga
Hatchlings are kept in con Crete pens and fed chopped freshwater fish and vitamin supplements. By the time they reach reproductive size, they
arc moved to pools where they thrive on live chickens. The animals are regularly weighed and measured and, before release. some are tagged with radios for monitoring.
On Venezuela's northwestern floodplains. In the state of Apure. Hato El Frio — another ranch — provides an ideal release site for the Orinoco crocodiles. This 80.000-ha. Ranch supports a variety of wildlife.
Cono Guaritico, a tributary of the Apure River flowing through the ranch. Is particularly rich tn wildlife. It is also an important nursery for many fish species and was declared a wildlife refuge in 1989.
Mingling with the domestic livestock raised on the ranch are capybaras, freshwater turtles. deer, rtver dolphins, giant otters and a small population of jaguar.
The generosity and conservation ethnic of private ranch owners have made 1t possible to establish and maintain such refuges," said Jose Ayarzaguena Sanz, Director of El Frio Biological Station. They are now working closely with UNESCO and ranch owner Dr Ivan Dario Maldonado, to declare the entire ranch a biosphere reserve by the end of 1992.
While such habitats are Important, the Orinoco crocodile Is also threatened by poachers. Guards regularly patrol the ranch on the lookout for wildlife poachers sneaking in by canoe, or kidnappers hoping to ransom a wealthy rancher.
Traditional beliefs have also led to the killing of Orinoco crocodiles. Tn 1980, the university's first captive adult crocodile was killed by locals," said Andres Seijas, a biologist from Venezuela's National Experimental University of the Western Plains (UNELLEZ). They did not want to cat the animal or take Its skin for trade. Instead, they wanted Its
teeth."
According to focal folklore, crocodile teeth and oils have medicinal properties. "In this case, the teeth were used to treat a sick child," said Mr Seijas
Traditional folklore now has less of an impact on wild populations than in the past The three breeding centres — El Masaguaral, El Frio, and UNELLEZ — now have a total of 400 Orinoco crocodiles of varying ages.
Education programmes organized through FUNENA, and a small-scale eco-tourism centre at El Frio, have helped dispel many of the myths surrounding the species.
Through our eco-tourism programme, we are trying to make the biological centre pay for Itself," said Alejandro Arranz, manager of El Frio Biological Station. About 120 visitors visit El Frio each month during the Peak Season.
Their payments, which cover food, lodging, and wildlife tours around the ranch, help Io offset the centre's costs.
With Improved breeding techniques, and more know) edge of the crocodile's ecology and behaviour, FUDENA hopes that the species can eventually be harvested on a sustainable basis, Hke the Ntte crocodile in Zimbabwe.
This will provide a much-needed source of protein for the local people, giving them the financial incentive to ensure the species long term survival tn the wild
(WWF Feature* I