CONSERVATION:
Despite their timid nature, Chinese alligators have historical associations with the mythical Chinese dragon, yet these have not saved this species from human impact. Alligator sinensis is currently battling it out with Crocodylus mindorensis for the unenviable distinction of being the world's most endangered crocodilian, although recent progress by the Chinese government means the future outlook is now a little brighter. Habitat destruction has been the major cause of decline, with most wetland areas being modified due to human population pressures. The building of dams has been one significant factor in this destruction, although turning marshland into agricultural land has been the most relevant threat for remaining populations. Wild populations in areas where natural wetlands remain are extremely low (and possibly extirpated), partly due to extensive flooding in the recent past (1957). Most of the remaining alligators exist in areas which have already been partially modified for agricultural purposes. This means that they frequently come into conflict with humans trying to raise food - burrows cause drainage problems in fields, and the adults will take farmed ducks. To a Chinese farmer, the alligator is nothing but a costly nuisance to be eliminated where possible.
Although A. sinensis is a secretive species, often living undisturbed within burrows around densely populated human areas, individuals that are found are typically killed out of fear or because of the problems they cause for farmers. Killed animals are usually taken to markets, where many of their organs are sold as cures for a number of ailments, despite legal protection of the species (under the Law of Wildlife Conservation of the People's Republic of China) and many of the reserves they are found in. Increased education of the status of the species could help to prevent this, but the main impetus must be to convince locals of their value in the wild. Due to the presence of osteoderms in the ventral scales, the skin is hard to tan and the resulting hide has little commercial value in internatinal markets, although the skin and especially the meat have much greater value within China. Small quantities of meat from captive bred animals are legally sold in local markets and restaurants, with the funds raised helping local alligator management.
Information on the status of the wild population has been limited, but recent updated surveys do not paint a promising picture. Surveys in the 1980s revealed a significant decline in wild alligator numbers. In the province of Anhui (where the 433km² Anhui Chinese Alligator National Nature Reserve has since been set up), the population was estimated to stand at around 500 animals. It was then thought that the population was increasing, but recent surveys in 1999 by the Wildlife Conservation Society gave the alarming news that the wild population stood between 130 and 150 individuals. Conversely, the captive population is extremely healthy due to a successful breeding program, with over 10,000 alligators in the research centre in Anhui. The first breeding at Anhui took place in 1988. 10 wild nests were recorded in Anhui in 1996 (Wan Ziming, pers comm), whereas in 1999 only a couple of nests were located, and none produced viable hatchlings. Despite the presence of the reserve, human population pressure is still severe as over 1 million people living there. Recruitment into the alligator population has been estimated to be low (0.4% growth per annum in the last decade) with adults making up over 55% of the wild population. This is now likely much higher. Numbers of alligators in areas outside the reserve are very low.
The Anhui Research Centre of Chinese Alligator Reproduction (ARCCAR) houses captive-bred alligators living within 26 small protected reserves. The conservation value of these centres has been criticised, however, by the general lack of programs aimed at restocking wild populations, but the Chinese government has now made remarkable progress in setting this situation straight. Several million US$ are being allocated to the creation of new alligator habitat, and reintroducing captive alligators back into the wild. This work is hoped to start as early as 2003. In other countries, Chinese alligators have been successful bred at several location in Europe and the US. The survival of this species will depend on the support of not only the Chinese government, but also the local people who have to live with alligators in one of the most productive farming areas in China. Progress is being made changing perceptions about the much-maligned alligator, but there is still a lot of work to do.
MORE INFORMATION:
For more information on conservation initiatives for this species, see the CSG
Action Plan resource.
DENTITION:
