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Threats to Brazilian crocodilian populations

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 April 2009

P. Brazaitis ,
George H. Rebêlo ,
Carlos Yamashita ,
Elizabeth A. Odierna  and
Myrna E. Watanabe
P. Brazaitis
Affiliation:
Central Park Wildlife Center, 830 Fifth Ave, New York, NY 10021, USA.
George H. Rebêlo
Affiliation:
Instituto de Pesquisas da Amazônia, Depart. Ecologia, CXP 478, 69.000, Manaus-AM, Brazil.
Carlos Yamashita
Affiliation:
Rua Voluntaries da Patria 3714, CEP 02402, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
Elizabeth A. Odierna
Affiliation:
Montefiore Medical Center, 111 E 210th St, Bronx, NY 10467, USA.
Myrna E. Watanabe
Affiliation:
Biological Sciences, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA 23529, USA.
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Abstract

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Brazilian crocodiles are threatened by gold mining and related mercury- and lead-contamination of animals and their habitat, deforestation, increasing use of land for agriculture and destructive forestry, increased human incursions, and commercial and subsistence hunting for skins and meat. Contaminated meat is consumed by local people and miners, and meat and skins are exported to global markets. Already depleted black caiman Melanosuchus niger populations are seriously affected.

Type
Research Article
Information
Oryx , Volume 30 , Issue 4 , October 1996 , pp. 275 - 284
Copyright
Copyright © Fauna and Flora International 1996

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