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Crocodiles: Balance between human inhabitance and wildlife in the Southern Florida
Introduction:
The American crocodile has never had the perfect relationship with humans. As Florida was developed year after year, the American crocodileÕs habitat was destroyed by beach homes and strip malls. By the 1970Õs much the American crocodile population was completely obliterated by poaching. Today, through the efforts of wildlife conservationists, the American crocodile is once again becoming a prominent species in Southern Florida. (Stap) Thought of as a huge success by ecologist and crocodile enthusiasts, the reemergence of the American crocodiles is posing new problems surrounding the delicate balance between human and animal coinhabitance. The human-crocodile relationship is becoming strained by territorial problems and the continual issues surrounding human development. In order to create understanding about the American crocodile population in south Florida, education measures need to be taken with public, as well as continued conservation efforts to keep crocodiles in their proper environment. (Bragg)
I. American crocodile habitat
a. Brief overview on American crocodiles in the Florida Everglades
i. American crocodiles (Crocodylus acutus) have been considered endangered since 1975. (Mazzotti)
1. The National Park Service established a crocodile sanctuary in northeastern Florida Bay in 1980 (Mazzotti)
2. Southern Florida is beginning to see a resurgence in crocodiles, going from endangered to threatened.
3. More human encounters are expected.
ii. American Crocodile habitats in the everglades depend on the salinity to fresh water ratios. (Stap)
1. Although crocodiles can withstand salt water, fresh water is the preferred habitat.
iii. That crocodiles are now nesting in areas outside of northeastern Florida Bay (in Everglades National Park), and outside of Everglades National Park.
1. Another two nesting spots are the Florida Power and Light Company Turkey Point Power Plant site and the Crocodile Lakes National Wildlife Refuge on North Key Largo. (Mazzotti)
II. What humanÕs mean for American crocodile habitat
a. As crocodile encounters become a more frequent occurrence, new measures are being taken to preserve crocodile habitats to try to prevent more encounters with human populations.
i. Five years ago Florida wildlife officials hardly ever received a complaint about a crocodile encounter. (Walters)
ii. More recently, there have been around 600 complaints a year regarding crocodile encounters. This does not even count the 12,000 complaints received each year for the crocodiles counter part, the alligator. (Walters)
b. American crocodile populations are increasing in the everglades as the amount of pollution decreases in the water.
i. Canals created for the cooling purposes of Florida Power and Light have been another unusual place crocodiles have found to nest. (Stap)
1. Although this may cause concern for some individuals, crocodiles actually are not the mean, Òhuman eatingÓ animal often perceived by humans. (Stap)
2. Unfortunately, newspaper accounts often scare individuals into believing that crocodiles are treacherous animals out to kill.
a. Although there have not been any human deaths related to crocodile attacks, people still need to be aware that these animals are still hunters.
b. Referring to a crocodile incident, Ò"One was way up the Miami River, eating a lady's ducks," said Todd Hardwick, an alligator trapper who, more and more, answers calls to remove nuisance alligators only to find a crocodile instead. "The last one I saw, there on the Miami River, had a cat in its mouth." (Bragg)
ii. Human encounters with the American crocodile can be educational experiences if handled with the proper precautions.
1. A couple witnessed a female crocodile in their front yard of their home on Sanibel Island, a place where crocodiles are never found nesting.
a. Contacted proper experts
b. Quoting the experience of the Sanibel crocodile, ÒFor three years, we've set records here,Ó Frank Mazzotti says. ÒThis is an endangered-species success story in progress. Habitat protection has helped the crocodile population grow from 20 breeding females in 1975 (which means a total population of 200 to 300 crocs) to 42 breeding females in 1995 (400 to 500 crocs). The animals would be helped further by the restoration of hydrological conditions in Florida Bay to yield more fresh water than the bay now receives.Ó (National Wildlife Federation)
iii. CrocodilesÕ habitats are still endangered by human development.
1. Further restoration of the American crocodilesÕ natural habitat will allow them to flourish away from human activity. (Mazzotti, Brandt)
III. Public Education
a. There are many misconceptions about crocodiles which cause some of the problems between humans and their wildlife counterparts.
i. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation
ii. Frank Mazzotti, a University of Florida wildlife biologist has dedicated his life to the research and advancement of American crocodiles. He uses his experience and expertise to educate others about the traits of the crocodile and misconceptions. (Stap)
1. The American Crocodile is often meek and scared and does not approach humans.
Works Cited
Bragg, R. (1999, June 29). In South Florida Canals, Revival of Rare Crocodiles. New York Times
Mazzotti, F., Brandt, L., Moler, P., & Cherkiss, M. (2007, March). American Crocodile (Crocodylus acutus) in Florida: Recommendations for Endangered Species Recovery and Ecosystem Restoration. Journal of Herpetology, 41(1), 124-132.
Mazzotti, F. J. (1999). The American Crocodile in Florida Bay. Estuaries, 22(2), 552 - 561.
National Wildlife Federation. There's a crocodile in my yard. (1996, April). National Wildlife.
Stap, D. (2002, February). THE CROCODILE'S POWER PLAY. (Cover story). National Wildlife, 40(2), 38.
Thorbjarnarson, J., Mazzotti, F., Sanderson, E., Buitrago, F., Lazcano, M., Minkowski, K., et al. (2006, February 28). Regional habitat conservation priorities for the American crocodile. Biological Conservation, 128(1), 25-36.
Walters, M. (1999, September). Frosty Welcome Back for Crocodile. Animals, 132(5), 17.
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