Population status of the Orinoco crocodile (Crocodylus intermedius) in the Cojedes river system, Venezuela Original Research Article

The Orinoco crocodile is one of the most critically endangered crocodilians. The most important Orinoco crocodile population known is found in the Cojedes River System (CRS), Venezuela, an area currently under heavy anthropogenic pressure. Based on spotlight surveys, a minimum population of 547 non-hatchling crocodiles was estimated for the CRS. Middle sections of the CRS, particularly near the downstream-end of Caño de Agua, showed the highest population indices (PI)(7.3 ind/km). Intermediate PI were observed in Cojedes Norte and Caño de Agua Norte (2.2 and 4.4 ind/km, respectively) river sections relatively close to important human settlements and with comparatively higher levels of habitat alteration and contamination. The lowest PIs (<1.0 ind/km) were observed in navigable river reaches and far from main urban centers. Crocodile populations in northern sections of the CRS were dominated by juveniles, whereas sub-adults and adults composed an important fraction of the population in river reaches with relatively high crocodile densities.