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A population survey of the estuarine crocodile in the Ayeyarwady Delta, Myanmar

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 April 2009

John Thorbjarnarson ,
Steven G. Platt  and
U. Saw Tun Khaing
U. Saw Tun Khaing
Affiliation:
Wildlife Conservation Society, Bldg. C-3, Aye Yeik Mon 1st St., Yadanamon Housing Ave., Hilling Township, Yangon, Myanmar.
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Abstract

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The estuarine crocodile Crocodylus porosus was formerly abundant in coastal regions of Myanmar, but is now known principally from the lower Ayeyarwady Delta. We conducted a survey during January 1999 to assess quantitatively the status of crocodile populations in protected areas of the lower delta. Spotlight counts were conducted along 275.4 km of waterways. Sixty-one crocodiles (50 juveniles, 4 subadults, 2 adults and 5 eyeshines) were observed in the Meinmahla Kyun Wildlife Sanctuary (MKWS), and the total population was estimated to be less than 100. The Kadônkani and Pyindaye Reserved Forests (RF) apparently no longer support viable populations. Although crocodiles remain critically endangered in the region, a comparison with survey data from 1980 suggests localized recovery is occurring in MKWS. Population declines are attributed to a combination of commercial skin hunting, habitat loss, drowning in fishing nets and over-collection of living animals to supply crocodile farms. A programme of law enforcement, habitat protection and head-starting juveniles is necessary to ensure the continued survival of estuarine crocodiles in the Ayeyarwady Delta.

Keywords

Ayeyarwady RiverCrocodylus porosusestuarine crocodileMyanmarpopulation survey
Type
Research Article
Information
Oryx , Volume 34 , Issue 4 , October 2000 , pp. 317 - 324
Copyright
Copyright © Fauna and Flora International 2000

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