When most people think about crocodiles, they picture a powerful reptile living as the king of the swamp. What many people do not realize is that they are endangered in certain parts of the world. In the Philippines, after many years of killing these despised creatures, efforts are being made to facilitate their recovery as a species.
Since a small population of crocodiles was discovered near a national park in 1999, local Filipino governments and organizations have been trying to raise awareness of the need for crocodile conservation in the area. This task involves attempting to change attitudes towards crocodiles, which needless to say, are largely negative. Endeavors to turn crocodile farms and ecotourism into profitable businesses have mostly failed. This has been pinned on the fact that it is almost impossible to change the attitudes of people who have been uneducated in the importance of the balance that crocodiles bring to the ecosystem.
In recent years, new organizations such as CROC (Crocodile Rehabilitation Observance and Conservation) have led the way in the recovery of the species. By lobbying local governments, they have been able to pass fishing laws and obtain protected wildlife areas for the crocodiles. It seems that the key to CROC’s success was inspiring pride in the locals for having such a rare species in their midst, which gave them an incentive to protect it.
The idea that pride can be taken in such a previously hated creature is an interesting one. Some governments believe that the only way that these species will truly be preserved is if they begin to carry economical value. If anything, the work that CROC has done has proved this wrong, which goes to show that sometimes appealing to people’s cultural values is better than appealing to their wallets.
http://www.conservationmagazine.org/2011/09/crocodile-love/
Posted by Janelle Hayes
I agree with you. With shows such as "the Crocodile Hunter", crocodiles have earned themselves a bad reputation. However, even the host of that show, Steve Irwin, agrees that crocodiles need to be preserved. Humans have remarkable abilities to destroy ecosystems and disrupt species that have been around for thousands of years and more. Organizations such as CROC are much needed.
ReplyDeletePosted by Michael Shi
I think a show that has negatively effected the image of alligators and in turn crocodiles is the show "Swamp People" on Discovery Channel. This show highlights the hunting of the American Alligator in the swamps of Louisiana. These hunters make a livelihood off of gator season and use the alligators for meat and their skins. The hunting season is regulated and the alligators are not endangered but in the show alligators aren't looked at as powerful creatures that should be respected. Although this show could be perceived as negative it could also been seen as an example for the Filipino's situation. If crocodile populations are given the chance to come back and flourish then they could still be given a chance to hunt responsibly. This would allow them to maintain a natural resource while respecting it. Its always a tough situation trying to save a species that people do not see value in. If locals realized the role that crocodiles play in their ecosystem then maybe they would be less likely to randomly kill them.
ReplyDeletePosted by Suzanne Sullivan
This is not the first time that this brilliant technique has been used. I heard of involving the local community in saving a population of mountain goat. I think that this is such a smart idea because it helps to give locals a sense of accomplishment and responsibility.
ReplyDeletePosted by Caroline Adams
It is disappointing that many people believe that in order for a species to be saved they have to provide economical value to humans! I'm happy to hear that this organization has been able to pass laws. I actually had not heard that crocodiles were endangered in many areas, although it seems now that so many species are endangered it is almost not a surprise. Are there any efforts in Florida? I know that there are many species of crocodiles there; are they also endangered?
ReplyDeletePosted by Caitlin O'Hare
I had no idea that crocodiles were endangered. Is the main problem that fishermen are killing crocodiles or that they are over-fishing the species crocodiles prey on? I think the technique of inspiring pride in locals is a good one and should be used for other endangered species such as the cheetah. I think its funny how you said appealing to their wallet at the end, because I'm sure that wallets made from crocodile leather are a big contribution to the problem.
ReplyDeletePosted by Nick Gast
I had no idea crocodiles were even endangered. I guess cuter, fuzzier animals like pandas hog the endangered animal spotlight a bit. It's great that CROC is fighting for them and spreading awareness. Crocodiles do have a pretty bad reputation in the public eye though, so they will have their work cut out for them. These powerful animals should be respected and protected, not hunted for profit and fear.
ReplyDelete-Rhys Ursuliak
Crocodiles do need to be preserved because they provide balance to other species and prevent over population. They represent the top predators of their ecosystem which makes sense that their are many negative human attitudes towards them. As Humans it's always been the top predators of food chains that have threaten us because in most cases they are dangerous to us as well ex. bears, tigers, lions, sharks, and crocodiles etc. These animals represent the top carnivorous animals of their respected food chains and all are large enough to kill a human so it is only natural their is a negative attitude. However they are only doing what is natural and in almost all cases humans are more dangerous to these species, then they are to us. Both can coexist we must realize to protect these magnificent animals and give them the space nature intended.
ReplyDeletePosted by: Andrew Ryan
It does not surprise me that there has been failure with trying to save crocodiles. They are extremely scary and I only get shivers when I think of them, but as a biology major, I know that every animal is important to help balance the ecosystem, even if crocodiles are something I am uneducated on. Therefore, those who are ignorant in how the ecosystem works would find no reason to help this cause, and will continue to hunt if they can. The greed for the money the crock skin makes combined with the lack of education will lead to this result. It makes me happy that there are organizations trying to help out the crocodiles, despite their sharp teeth!
ReplyDeletePosted by Abbie Saranteas
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteIn Response to Caitlin O'Hare:
ReplyDeleteAccording to the Red List, which is an organization which tracks the statuses of many threatened species, the American Crocodile is currently considered "vulnerable." In 1994 it was downgraded from "endangered." The American Crocodile is listed under CITES Appendix I as a species that is illegal to trade commercially if it is caught in the wild. Due to these laws, the species has been able to recover significantly, but not enough to be downgraded another level to "near threatened" yet.
http://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/5659/0
http://www.cites.org/eng/app/index.php
Posted by Janelle Hayes
Crocodiles are definitely an essential part of their ecosystem, and hopefully the work of organizations such as CROC will help make people realize that the ecosystem will be irreversibly damaged with crocodiles gone. It is a very interesting point that it might be a more successful tactic to appeal to peoples' pride in the quality of their local ecosystems, rather than their wallets. I wonder if a video was made for crocodiles, (similar to the Cornell-sponsored Black Backed and Herring Gull video), if it would change peoples' perspectives on crocodiles. Such a video might outline the challenges that crocodiles face in the many parts of the world where they are endangered, as well as the everyday challenges they face from natural enemies. Maybe such a video would convince people that crocodiles need to be protected.
ReplyDeletePosted by Johanna Brophy
It is definitely tough to try and sympathize with the plight of the crocodile as they have been demonized in television and movies. But like Janelle said they play an important part in the delicate balance of the ecosystem
ReplyDeletePosted by Michael Thomas