Courtesy of Frank J. Mazzotti & Michael S. Cherkiss Afforded Federal protection in 1975, the threatened American crocodile, Crocodylus acutus, once faced a grim prognosis for recovery. Loss of suitable nesting areas and modifications to freshwater flows served to dramatically reduce the abundance of the species. today, as the process of Everglades restoration moves forward, the American crocodile may prove a valuable touchstone against which to measure our success. This project examined the full suite of available monitoring data from the past three decades to provide a more comprehensive understanding of recovery and restoration. It is noted that C. acutus is now more abundant, and found in more places, than at the time of it was listing under the Endangered Species Act. While this will likely bring new management challenges in the face of a burgeoning population, it is also noted that there may also be new opportunities for species recovery. Final Report Contact the principal investigator directly with questions about this study. |
Last updated: April 8, 2021