Many crocodiles are at the verge of extinction whereas some of them are classified as critically endangered. While most crocodilian species faced almost-extinction situation because of the habitat degradation or deforestation, others were illegally hunted, still others died of road collision. The future of all these crocodiles rests in the hands of the conservation societies.
Are Crocodiles Endangered
American Crocodiles (Crocodylus acutus)
American crocs are listed as Vulnerable species but in much of its range it is endangered. Humans are pushing these species to the risk of extinction as a result of which they are forced to leave their habitats.
The American crocodiles find it hard to make habitats because of excessive hunting, commercial farming, and pollution.
There are around 1,000 – 2,000 individuals remaining in the Central and South America including Mexico. The southern Florida hosts 500 – 1,200 crocodiles but the population has not been estimated since 1996. Many species died of road collisions in the southern Florida.
Orinoco Crocodile (Crocodylus intermedius)
The Orinoco crocs are critically endangered in different parts of its habitat range. During the 1940s to 1960s most animals were killed in the Orinoco River. The species are pushed to the verge of extinction. Although it sought protection in the 1970s yet the population continued to decline.
Currently, the Orinoco crocodiles are protected in Columbia and Venezuela.
It is not clear precisely how many individuals remaining in the wild but according to estimates there are 250 – 1,500 crocs left in the wild.
Freshwater Crocodile (Crocodylus johnsoni)
The freshwater crocodile was once widespread across northern Australia where saltwater crocs are not found. In the recent past, the population faced significant decline because of the introduction of cane toad. The toad is proved to be an extremely poisonous for American crocs.
Philippine Crocodile (Crocodylus mindorensis)
The Philippine crocodile is listed as critically endangered species as no more than 250 crocs remaining in the wild (National Geographic, 2011). There was a time when it occupied much of the habitats in the entire Philippine but at present there are few hundreds left.
The feeding behavior of the Philippine crocodile is not known which further adds to the difficulty in assessing the causes of endangerment.
Their habitats were destroyed for agriculture purposes.
Siamese Crocodile (Crocodylus siamensis)
The IUCN Red List classifies the Siamese crocodiles as critically endangered species although they are bred in captivity in large numbers.
Humans have forced these species to leave their habitats and as it turns out they have become the victims in their own territory. The Siamese crocs are now absent in ninety nine percent of its habitats.
In the Southeast Asia more than 700,000 siamese are bred on commercial farms. In Cambodia the population of Siamese is around 200 – 400 in total.
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