The race to save Cuba’s endangered crocodiles

A critically endangered Cuban crocodile hatches from its egg in Zapata Swamp, some 150 kilometers southeast of Havana. The species was once widespread in Cuba and its surrounding islands, but scientists estimate that only about 4,000 specimens remain in the wild. Their habitat has shrunk to a small area of the swamp and the nearby Isla de la Juventud, or Isle of Youth, which belongs to Cuba.

Biologist Etiam Perez releases a young crocodile into the wild in Zapata Swamp. The population of Cuban crocodiles (Crocodylus rhombifer) has been declining sharply for decades and the reptile now has the smallest natural habitat of any crocodile species worldwide. As well as habitat loss, illegal hunting, climate change and hybridization with the American crocodile threaten the species.

Biologist Etiam Perez observes the crocodiles that have been released into Zapata Swamp. The vast wetland is protected but this may not be enough to save the species. Cuban crocodiles reside in a relatively small area within the swamp, and a natural disaster — ever more likely due to climate change — could wipe out most of the crocodile population.

Climate change is also affecting the sex ratio of newborn crocodiles. Unlike in mammals, the sex of reptiles is influenced by temperature. Higher temperatures produce more male crocodiles than females, threatening the continuation of the species. These freshly hatched specimens will eventually be released into the swamp.

Cuban researchers have taken up the fight to try save Cuban crocodiles and a government-funded hatchery program is breeding and releasing crocodiles like this juvenile. "With the hatchery we are trying to increase the historical range of the Cuban crocodile and of course increase the number of these individuals in the wild," biologist Perez told Reuters news agency.

Despite strict controls on the sale of crocodile meat, many of the reptiles meet their end on the barbecue. Cuban restaurants can only serve meat from specimens that are mixed with the American crocodile or have physical defects. But there is also an illegal market for poached crocodile meat.

Researchers like Perez also free crocodiles that have been illegally captured, like these young specimens confiscated from poachers. They will be released in the Zapata Swamp where they will hopefully thrive.

Veterinarian Gustavo Sosa shows tourists freshly hatched Cuban crocodiles at the Zapata Swamp hatchery. The little crocodiles look cute when they are small, but they quickly develop into fierce and intimidating predators that can reach a length of 3.5 meters (11.5 feet) as adults.

This Cuban crocodile being measured at a hatchery may look benign, but they are considered particularly pugnacious and cheeky reptiles, seemingly without fear of humans. "It is a very curious critter," veterinarian Gustavo Sosa told Reuters."When you see one in nature...you know it is a Cuban crocodile because they come to you."