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Cuban Crocodile Crisis

10 images Created 23 Feb 2017

Cuba has done a better job than most countries at preserving their natural and cultural heritage. Climate change, however, is a global problem with local consequences. As sea levels rise two species of crocodile that are normally separate are slowly interbreeding their way to a single species.

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  • A Cuban crocodile (Crocodylus rhombifer) photographed in a cenote in Ciénaga de Zapata National Park. Cuban crocodiles and American crocodiles are interbreeding and creating hybrid offspring that threaten the survival of the Cuban species, which is down to only 4,000 individuals and listed as Critically Endangered by the IUCN.
    Critically Endangered Cuban Crocodile
  • A critically endangered Cuban crocodile (Crocodylus rhombifer) in a small cenote in Zapata, Cuba. As ocean's rise due to climate change American crocodiles' territory in Cuba is expanding and that of the swamp-living Cuban crocodile is shrinking. The two species are coming into contact more frequently and interbreeding and hybrid species are common. With only about 4000 individual Cuban crocs left in small parts of Cuba, it is likely the Cuban crocodile will go extinct soon, being absorbed by the American crocodile, without ongoing human intervention.
    Habitat
  • The brilliant eye of the critically endangered Cuban crocodile. <br />
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Image made in captivity
    Eye
  • Cuban crocodiles tend to stay inland and prefer brackish water. American crocodiles prefer coastal mangrove lagoons. As the ocean rises due to climate change, the two are coming into conflict, and interbreeding, more frequently.
    The Cuban Crocodile
  • A group of juvenile Cuban crocodiles are part of a breeding program stared by Fidel Castro in the 1960's to help the species survive.
    Breeding Program
  • A debate remains about whether humans should try to keep the genetic pureness of the Cuban crocodile through breeding programs or let the species be absorbed into the American crocodile through interbreeding.
    Breeding Center
  • The dinosaur leg and foot of a Cuban crocodile. Cuban crocs are among the most aggressive species of crocodiles in the world.
    Footprint
  • American crocodiles are much less agressive than their Cuban cousins. In Cuba's Gardens of the Queen they are a major tourist draw and can safely be photographed in the water.
    The Other Foot
  • American crocodiles (Crocodylus acutus) are native to Cuba and an important part of their coastal ecosystem. The problem of interbreeding the two species cannot be solved by culling one species.
    American in Cuba
  • The fate of the Cuban crocodile is unknown, but sure to go extinct if not for major efforts on our part.
    Cuba's Croc
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Shane Gross

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