High speed boat traffic: a risk to crocodilian populations
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Published source details
Grant P.B.C. & Lewis T.R. (2010) High speed boat traffic: a risk to crocodilian populations. Herpetological Conservation and Biology, 5, 456-460.
Published source details Grant P.B.C. & Lewis T.R. (2010) High speed boat traffic: a risk to crocodilian populations. Herpetological Conservation and Biology, 5, 456-460.
Actions
This study is summarised as evidence for the following.
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Limit vessel speeds Action Link |
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Limit vessel speeds
A replicated, site comparison study in 2006 in a canal system in Limon Province, Costa Rica (Grant & Lewis 2010) found that waterways with enforced speed limits had lower numbers of injured spectacled caiman Caiman crocodilus fuscus. No injured spectacled caiman were caught in waterways with enforced speed limits (injured: 0 individuals; non-injured: 24 individuals), whereas 37% of spectacled caiman caught in waterways without enforced speed limits had boat-related injuries (injured: 11 individuals; non-injured: 19 individuals), of which two died. Caiman were surveyed in April–June 2006 in three waterways with enforced speed limits (idle–slow) and three without enforced speed limits (high speeds up to 40 km/hour). Adult caiman (1.0–2.5 m long) were caught at night and checked for scars or injuries. Mortalities from boat propellers were recorded.
(Summarised by: Katie Sainsbury)
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