QCOSTARICA — A study prepared by the Ministerio de Ambiente y Energía (Minae) y el Sistema Nacional de Áreas de Conservación de Costa Rica (Sinac) – Ministry of Environment and Energy and the National System of Conservation Areas of Costa Rica, entitled “Relative abundance and population status of the American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus) in Costa Rica,” revealed the existence of at least 4,315 crocodiles in nine different areas.
The data indicate the following number of reptiles: North Pacific 351, Great Tempisque Wetland (GHT) 2,315, Gulf of Nicoya 108, Central Pacific 395, South Pacific 292, North Zone 265, North Caribbean 85, and Central Caribbean 504.
The objective of the research is to determine the relative abundance and population structure of crocodiles to promote decision-making on the management of the species.
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It should be noted that this analysis is based entirely on secondary information generated over 30 years of studies developed by different researchers, both national and foreign.
The institutions clarified that no field work was carried out for this report due to the short time allocated for its preparation.
On the Pacific coast, the highest relative density of crocodiles is found in the Tempisque and Central Pacific.
The North Pacific region has a relatively high concentration, but a lower presence of adult animals. The highest relative density of crocodiles was found in the Bongo and Arío river systems, as well as in the estuary where both flow into the sea. Meanwhile, the highest relative population of these adult reptiles was found in the Playa Naranjo estuary, in the Santa Rosa National Park.
In the case of the Gran Humedal del Tempisque, the largest number of these animals is in the swamps; for this study, the Mata Redonda refuge was included, as well as the Bolsón and Charco rivers.
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The Central Caribbean accumulates the highest relative density of crocodiles and adult crocodiles, on the Caribbean side.
Some of the rivers analyzed in this report were: Bongo, Arío, Bongo estuary, Ora, Nosara, Junquillal estuary, Tamarindo estuary, Cabuyal estuary, Naranjo beach estuary, Cuajiniquil Bay, Bebedero, Las Bombas-Pelón, Corobicí, Tempisquito, Ahogados, Colorado, Irigaray-Guardia, Tenorio, Blanco, Cañas, Palmira, Mata Redonda and Bolsón. For its part, the National University (UNA) adds that there are two types of crocodiles in the country: Caiman crocodilus and Crocodylus acutus, or American crocodile.
“It is a species that has hardly evolved for 65 million years. Its characteristics as a good hunter and its skills to defend itself have allowed it to survive with only one radical change: its size,” the report explained.
Mauricio Méndez, technical director of the Tempisque Conservation Area, stated that “given the wealth of biodiversity that we have and the fundamental role of these animals in ecosystems, as regulators of wild populations, we must ensure that their conservation is done with the greatest protection.”
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Regarding the study, he explained that the fact that the largest population is found in the Great Tempisque Wetland is due to the existence of very large wetlands, national parks and wildlife refuges.
“The population there is 18.09 crocodiles per kilometer, that is, in 100 meters one can find almost two crocodiles (…) large, small and medium,” said Méndez.
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