{"id":334172,"date":"2026-01-25T06:46:28","date_gmt":"2026-01-25T11:46:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/oncubanews.com\/en\/?p=334172"},"modified":"2026-02-11T11:54:40","modified_gmt":"2026-02-11T16:54:40","slug":"see-you-in-a-while-crocodile","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/oncubanews.com\/en\/cuba\/see-you-in-a-while-crocodile\/","title":{"rendered":"See you in a while crocodile"},"content":{"rendered":"

Until next February, the\u00a0<\/span>See\u00a0You in\u00a0A\u00a0While\u00a0Crocodile<\/span><\/a>\u00a0project, promoted by the United Nations Development Program in Cuba (UNDP), will be receiving donations through the Every.org website with a clear and urgent objective for endemic environmental conservation: monitoring the Cuban crocodile, a species in danger of extinction due, among other factors, to illegal hunting.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The\u00a0<\/span>Crocodylus\u00a0rhombifer<\/span><\/i>\u00a0(known as the Cuban crocodile) inhabits the\u00a0Zapata Swamp\u00a0region, a marshy, peninsular ecosystem\u00a0located\u00a0in the province of Matanzas. The species, which can only be found in this wetland, has been classified as Critically Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThis is due to the reduced number of adult specimens estimated in the wild (about 2,400), its small geographical distribution range (300 km\u00b2), illegal hunting, hybridization with the American crocodile (<\/span>Crocodylus\u00a0acutus<\/span><\/i>), and habitat modification,\u201d\u00a0biologist\u00a0Etiam\u00a0P\u00e9rez, who is in charge of the project, told\u00a0<\/span>OnCuba<\/span><\/b>\u00a0via WhatsApp.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Once the fundraising campaign is completed, which will allow the team to\u00a0purchase\u00a0appropriate equipment\u00a0for tagging and tracking the specimens, the work will be led by P\u00e9rez and Gustavo Sosa, a veterinarian. Both lead\u00a0the fieldwork\u00a0and conservation efforts.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Etiam\u00a0P\u00e9rez
Etiam P\u00e9rez (left) and Gustavo Sosa (right). Photo: Courtesy of UNDP Cuba.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

To learn more about the project, which is part of an alliance between the Antonio N\u00fa\u00f1ez Jim\u00e9nez Foundation for Nature and\u00a0Humanity\u00a0(FANJ), the\u00a0Enterprise for the Conservation of the Zapata Swamp (ECOCIENZAP), the Cuban Crocodile Specialist Group (GECC),\u00a0the Cuban Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment (CITMA)\u00a0and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in Cuba,\u00a0<\/span>OnCuba<\/span><\/b>\u00a0spoke with\u00a0Etiam\u00a0P\u00e9rez, who holds a Bachelor\u2019s degree in Biology (2002) and a Master\u2019s degree in Zoology and Animal Ecology (2013). Since his graduation, he has worked at the Crocodile Hatchery of the\u00a0Zapata Swamp\u00a0Conservation\u00a0Enterprise, contributing his\u00a0expertise\u00a0to the care and preservation of this unique Cuban species.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Gustavo
Gustavo Sosa. Photo: Courtesy of UNDP Cuba.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

What factors have historically endangered the Cuban crocodile, and what threats persist today?<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

There is evidence suggesting that hybridization is ancestral and is\u00a0probably due\u00a0to the evolutionary closeness between the species, as there is little time of divergence.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hunting, whether legal or illegal, has had a considerable impact on\u00a0<\/span>C.\u00a0rhombifer<\/span><\/i>\u00a0populations. Fossil records found on some Caribbean islands and in the Bahamas show that the species had a wider distribution, which was drastically reduced with the arrival of Europeans.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

During the first half of the 20th century, the\u00a0hide\u00a0trade led to the extraction of approximately 90,000 crocodiles in the\u00a0Zapata Swamp. Although the species were not always distinguished, it is estimated that most were\u00a0<\/span>C.\u00a0rhombifer<\/span><\/i>, due to the better quality of their skin and their more aggressive behavior, which made them very vulnerable to hunters. After years of\u00a0closed season, the population is once again\u00a0suffering from\u00a0the pressure of illegal hunting, especially during the crisis of the 1990s, and this\u00a0remains\u00a0the greatest threat today.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Habitat modification due to human activities has also negatively affected the species. Since the arrival of Europeans in Cuba, changes have occurred in the ecosystems it inhabits, such as deforestation, the construction of canals for timber and charcoal extraction, and the draining of small freshwater bodies for agriculture and human consumption.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Gustavo
Gustavo Sosa. Photo: Courtesy of UNDP Cuba.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

What does the joint work you are doing to preserve the Cuban crocodile consist of?<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Look, more than a project to conserve the Cuban crocodile, what we have is a program for the conservation of the genus\u00a0<\/span>Crocodylus<\/span><\/i>\u00a0in the\u00a0Zapata Swamp. As I mentioned before, hybridization occurs between the Cuban crocodile and the American crocodile, the two species of this genus that we have in the area.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Now, many consider hybridization a threat, but for some specialists, like\u00a0myself, it\u00a0doesn\u2019t\u00a0necessarily have to be. What is happening is that we have a very localized population; the Cuban crocodile is only found here in the\u00a0Zapata Swamp, and what we are\u00a0probably seeing\u00a0is a natural process where two species are coming together.\u00a0Most likely, speciation\u00a0will eventually occur, that is, a new species will\u00a0emerge.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Photo:
Photo: Courtesy of UNDP Cuba.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The American crocodile population here is not large enough to displace the Cuban crocodile, and nowadays what we see most are hybrid specimens. Therefore, the American crocodile population and the hybridization process are also important to us; they cannot be viewed separately.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Now, speaking of the conservation of the Cuban crocodile within this program, we have two fundamental approaches: in situ and ex situ conservation. In situ refers to actions on the natural populations of the Cuban crocodile, and ex situ is what we do in captivity, from our institution.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Etiam\u00a0P\u00e9rez.
Etiam P\u00e9rez. Photo: Courtesy of UNDP Cuba.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In captivity, we are dedicated to\u00a0maintaining\u00a0a population that serves to study biology, behavior, physiology, in short, aspects that can be complicated to investigate in the wild. These results serve as a baseline for later exploration in the wild, with more concrete experiments and research designs.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In addition, we use some specimens for reintroduction. We release captive-bred crocodiles, especially young ones, in areas near the breeding facility. We also use them with national and international students, and as part of our research on the effectiveness of these releases in the wild.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Gustavo
Gustavo Sosa. Photo: Courtesy of UNDP Cuba.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In wild populations, we focus on animal health studies under the concept of\u00a0\u201cOne Health.\u201d\u00a0This means using a species to learn about diseases or its health status and, from that, inferring the health of the ecosystems. If the ecosystems are healthy, human populations will also be healthier and more resilient to climate change.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In addition, we conduct studies of molecular genetics, dispersal ecology, geographic movement patterns, habitat\u00a0selection\u00a0and factors that influence where crocodiles live. We also\u00a0monitor\u00a0the population: how many there are, how many hybrids, how many males and females,\u00a0young\u00a0and adults. This takes many years, requires many samples and visits to the areas in different seasons of the year.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Gustavo
Gustavo Sosa. Photo: Courtesy of UNDP Cuba.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Which institutions and specialists are currently\u00a0participating\u00a0in the project, and how is the work coordinated among biologists, veterinarians, field\u00a0technicians\u00a0and other local stakeholders?<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The program is led by the\u00a0Enterprise for the Conservation of the Zapata Swamp, and very few institutions in Cuba are involved: the University of Havana, the Faculty of Biology, some specialists from the Flora and Fauna Institute, and the two main specialists: myself, a biologist, and Gustavo, a veterinarian. In addition, we have the crocodile handlers, who manage the crocodiles in captivity, feed them, clean the\u00a0tanks\u00a0and\u00a0assist\u00a0us in the field.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

We also collaborate occasionally with CITMA and the State Institute of Veterinary Medicine, and we\u00a0maintain\u00a0relations with foreign institutions for specific research projects.\u00a0Regarding local stakeholders, we\u00a0work with communities in the\u00a0area,\u00a0mainly as\u00a0guides, because they know the territory well and can react quickly to any problem. We have also collaborated on environmental education with local communicators who help us\u00a0disseminate\u00a0conservation campaigns.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Gustavo
Gustavo Sosa. Photo: Courtesy of UNDP Cuba.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In the case of releases or reintroductions, what criteria do you use to select the most suitable sites for the survival of the specimens?<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

To release crocodiles from captivity, we consider several factors: the release area, the presence of American crocodiles, the availability of food, the proximity to human communities and the protection of the site against illegal hunting. That is why we have recently\u00a0been releasing\u00a0small specimens: they are less attractive to hunters and have time to adapt to the environment.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Gustavo
Gustavo Sosa. Photo: Courtesy of UNDP Cuba.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

How did the idea of\u00a0<\/span><\/b>\u200b\u200b<\/span><\/b>launching the See\u00a0You\u00a0in A While\u00a0Crocodile crowdfunding initiative come about? What motivated you to resort to a crowdfunding model for a conservation project?<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The initiative arose a couple of years ago. The Antonio N\u00fa\u00f1ez Jim\u00e9nez Foundation (FANJ) and UNDP proposed that we try this platform to finance conservation projects. More than just raising money, we found it interesting as an experience in Cuba. We will collect funds until February; then it will take several months to buy,\u00a0build\u00a0and test the transmitters, obtain permits, etc. We estimate that in about five or six months they will be operational, collecting georeferencing information on the released crocodiles.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What type of equipment or specific actions will be financed with the funds raised?<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In addition to the transmitters, we conduct environmental education activities with local communities and tourists so that they understand the importance of the species and reduce the demand for crocodile meat or skin. The funds also help finance field expeditions\u00a0and the\u00a0monitoring of\u00a0the specimens.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Gustavo
Gustavo Sosa. Photo: Courtesy of UNDP Cuba.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

What indicators are you using to evaluate whether the preservation actions are working?\u00a0<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Measuring the impact of environmental education is complicated and takes many years. For example, evaluating how many children\u00a0actually change\u00a0their behavior towards biodiversity is something that can only be seen over time. Estimating the Cuban crocodile population is also difficult due to hybridization: distinguishing a purebred Cuban crocodile from a hybrid is easy at first, but after several generations they look\u00a0very similar\u00a0and only molecular analyses allow us to\u00a0identify\u00a0this\u00a0correctly.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

We are currently\u00a0in the process of monitoring\u00a0and collecting samples for large-scale molecular analysis, which will allow us to assess the state of the population and the effects of our actions over the next 3 or 4 years.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As for the crowdfunding initiative, its\u00a0objective\u00a0is not to have a direct impact on conservation, but rather to collect ecological information that will allow us to make better decisions in the future, such as selecting\u00a0optimal\u00a0reintroduction sites.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Gustavo
Gustavo Sosa. Photo: Courtesy of UNDP Cuba.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

What role do the local communities of the\u00a0Zapata Swamp\u00a0play in this project? Is there an educational or participatory\u00a0component\u00a0associated with the campaign?<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The role of local communities also includes environmental education. We\u00a0seek\u00a0to involve them,\u00a0identify\u00a0people motivated by\u00a0conservation\u00a0and promote the rational use of natural resources.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Gustavo
Gustavo Sosa. Photo: Courtesy of UNDP Cuba.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

What do you dream of or envision for the future of the Cuban crocodile in the next 10 or 20 years?<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

We would like the Cuban crocodile population to be restored to the historical levels of 300 or 500 years ago and for their habitats to be healthy. The reality is uncertain; there are only a few of us working full-time\u00a0and we face threats such as illegal hunting.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Without our program, in five years there might not be any individuals left in the wild. Therefore, although the future is uncertain, our work is essential to keeping the species and its habitat alive.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

________________________________________<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If you want to help, learn more about this initiative, or share the contacts\u00a0of people, institutions, or networks that could be potential donors, you can write to:\u00a0<\/span>seeyoucrocodile@gmail.com<\/span><\/b>.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Cuban crocodile is critically endangered. In this interview, biologist Etiam P\u00e9rez details conservation efforts in the Zapata Swamp, from wildlife monitoring to environmental education and research on hybridization with the American crocodile. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3600,"featured_media":334176,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[13902],"tags":[35068,35067,21943],"ppma_author":[33538],"class_list":["post-334172","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-cuba","tag-american-crocodile","tag-cuban-crocodile","tag-cuban-nature"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nSee you in a while crocodile | OnCubaNews English<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The Cuban crocodile is critically endangered. 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