Movement of captive-released Orinoco crocodiles (Crocodylus intermedius) in the Capanaparo River, Venezuela

Published source details Muñoz M.D.C. & Thorbjarnarson J. (2000) Movement of captive-released Orinoco crocodiles (Crocodylus intermedius) in the Capanaparo River, Venezuela. Journal of Herpetology, 34, 397-403.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

	Action	Category
	Head-start wild-caught reptiles for release: Crocodilians Action Link

Head-start wild-caught reptiles for release: Crocodilians

A study in 1991–1992 in a river near San Jose, southwestern Venezuela (Muñoz & Thorbjarnarson 2000) found that after releasing head-started Orinoco crocodiles Crocodylus intermedius, some survived at least a year. Seven crocodiles survived for at least 235–352 days, and one was killed accidentally two weeks following release. Crocodiles moved an average of 4–5 km/month (maximum distance 12 km). The average growth rate of released crocodiles (4 of 8 released individuals) was 0.1 cm/day, which was comparable to some smaller, wild-caught juveniles (0.1 cm/day) (result not statistically tested). In 1987, eggs were collected from along the river and hatched in captivity. Eight male crocodiles were head-started (length range from 115–139 cm) and released in March or April 1991. Crocodiles were fitted with radio transmitters and located every 1–2 days from April 1991 to March 1992.

(Summarised by: Maggie Watson, William Morgan)