DID YOU KNOW? The Nile crocodile is the top predator in its environment, and is responsible for checking the population of species like the barbel catfish, a predator that can overeat fish populations that other species, like birds, depend on.
Thinking of crocodiles may cause most people to be afraid, with horror stories of enormous monsters that lay waiting, motionless and camouflaged in the water, ready to grab any human that goes near the waters edge. This is simply not true. Infact crocodiles need our help as many species are now critically endangered. Wherever crocodillians have lived they have been hunted relentlessly for their skin and meat. Another other cause for decline in wild populations is habitat destruction. Sadly both of these reasons are caused by humans.
   
Because of over hunting, all crocodilians were granted protection in the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) which was enacted in 1975 and regulates the trade in threatened wild fauna and flora. The key purpose of CITES is to prevent the complete extinction of threatened animal and plant species. CITES is made up of around 5000 animals and 28,000 plant species. It is divided into three lists, called appendices. Species are added to each appendix depending on their degree of endangerment. Appendix I , about 800 species, lists animals that are threatened by extinction and are or may be affected by trade. Trade in wild-caught specimens of these species is illegal (permitted only in exceptional licenced circumstances). Examples of species at risk include the gorilla, Asiatic lion, Asian elephant, some populations of African elephant and all rhinoceros species. Appendix II, about 32,500 species, lists animals that are not necessarily threatened with extinction, but may become so unless trade in specimens of such species is subject to strict regulation. Examples of species listed in Appendix II are the American black bear, Hartmann's mountain zebra, African grey parrot, green iguana and bigleaf mahogany. Appendix III, about 170 species, are species that are listed after one member country has asked other CITES parties for assistance in controlling trade in a species. The species are not necessarily threatened with extinction globally. In all member countries trade in these species is only permitted with an appropriate export permit and a certificate of origin. Appendix I & II are updated every two years based on the current state of a species. All crocodilians are currently listed in either Appendix I or Appendix II.
   
Another organization, known as the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources) annually publishes the Red List of Threatened Species. The Red List is widely considered to be the most objective and authoritative system for classifying species in terms of the risk of extinction. The IUCN use a number of terms that specify the level at which a plant or animal species is endangered. There are three categories with nine groups - Extinction (Extinct, Extinct in the Wild), Threatened (Critically Endangered, Endangered, Vulnerable, Threatened) and Lower Risk (Conservation Dependent, Near Threatened or Least Concern). Of the 23 species of crocodilians, 11 are Threatened, 11 are Lower Risk and no data is available for the Slender-snouted Crocodile.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature, helps the world find solutions to our most pressing environment and development challenges. IUCN supports scientific research; manages field projects all over the world; and brings governments, non-government organizations, United Nations agencies and local communities together to develop and implement policy, laws and best practice.
   
The Crocodile Specialist Group is a worldwide network of biologists, wildlife managers, government officials and independent researchers actively involved in the conservation of alligators, crocodiles, caiman and gharials in the wild. The CSG works closely with the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and other international intergovernmental bodies to promote crocodilian conservation and legal trade that does not threaten the survival of these important reptiles. CSG members advise governments and wildlife management agencies, evaluate the conservation needs of crocodilian populations, initiate research projects, conduct surveys of wild populations, provide technical information and training and initiate conservation programs. The CSG’s administrative and publishing budget is raised entirely from private donations. In 1971, when the CSG was founded, all 23 species of crocodilian were endangered or threatened. By 1996, after 25 years of effort, one-third of the species were sufficiently abundant to support well-regulated annual harvests, one-third of the species were no longer in danger of extinction but are not harvested, and one-third of the species remain endangered. No other group of vertebrate animals has undergone such a dramatic improvement in its conservation status. The key to this success is the cooperation of companies involved in the international reptile skin and leather trade, crocodilian farmers and ranchers, skin traders, tanners, manufacturers, fashion designers, and major retailers. Today, the crocodilian skin industry views conservation as an investment in the future that is equivalent to investing in new equipment and technology. Many of the companies contribute to conservation projects and actively curtail illegal trade. However, the conservation efforts of the CSG are not finished. The remaining endangered crocodilian species, and some threatened populations of more abundant species, require further conservation action.
The Crocodile Specialist Group is a worldwide network of biologists, wildlife managers, government officials, independent researchers, non-government representatives and private companies actively involved in the conservation of the world's 23 species of alligators, crocodiles, caimans and gharials in the wild.
 
 
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