Caiman yacare and Caiman latirostris ranching program in Formosa, Argentina. CAIMANES DE FORMOSA

ALEJANDRO LARRIERA; PABLO SIROSKI; ERIC SILBERSTEIN AND CESAR PEREZ

Montelimar, Francia

Congreso; XVIII Working Meeting of Crocodile Specialist Group (CSG/SSC/UICN); 2006

Crocodile Specialist Group (CSG/SSC/UICN)

Nowadays, crocodilians sustainable use is considered a solution for habitat conservation; their conservation also brings about profits. The province of Formosa is characterized by the predominance of subtropical thorny forests, humid and semi-arid savannas. Its wildlife is very rich, mainly in the northwest portion where human intervention is limited. Despite its semi-arid conditions, there are a lot of wetlands with a variety of sources as well as physical and biological characteristics caused by rain occurrence between the years. Formosa’s climate factor presents an advantage for the establishment and development of populations distributed in natural or anthropic aquatic environments. Caiman latirostris and Caiman yacare are the two crocodilian species that inhabit Argentina. Consequently, both species sympatrically coexist in a large area of Formosa. These species show morphological differences that can be macroscopically visible.  But there are not many ecological differences except for thermal tolerances and, in some cases, the choice of habitats. At the beginning of ‘90s, Caiman latirostris and Caiman yacare have been in different CITES appendixes (C. latirostris, Appendix I and C. yacare, Appendix II). By coincidence, none of the species was being used. In 1997 (CITES COP 10th) the transfer of C. latirostris from Appendix I to Appendix II took place under the ranching program. From that moment on, Argentina’s populations of C. latirostris could be subjected to appropriately authorized and scientifically and biologically supported ranching programs. C. yacare situation was and is quite different. This species could be used, but the lack of implementation of an effective program justified the prohibition of its use. Nowadays, the situation is very different.  In Argentina there are management programs approved to use both species only under the ranching method. Moreover, caiman populations are in good conditions. They reach densities of approximately 60 animals/km. As a result, if this resource is rationally managed, it can be an important source of income for local inhabitants and also help the environment conservation.