Conservation of the <scp>P</scp>hilippine crocodile <i><scp>C</scp>rocodylus mindorensis</i> (<scp>S</scp>chmidt 1935): <i>in situ</i> and <i>ex situ</i> measures

Abstract

The endemic P hilippine crocodile C rocodylus mindorensis is one of the most C ritically E ndangered crocodilian species in the world. Four major captive‐breeding programmes for the P hilippine crocodile have greatly contributed to our knowledge about the biology and natural history of the species. In situ conservation actions, such as reintroduction, conservation breeding in large semi‐wild areas with no supplementary feeding and head‐starting programmes, could result in increasing the numbers of extant wild and semi‐wild populations. If concerted efforts are directed at in situ and ex situ conservation, and locating quality habitats in which to establish new conservation sites for P hilippine crocodiles, the species is likely to become widespread in the next few decades. Conservation measures that address species‐specific issues promoting healthy viable populations in natural habitats are presented in this paper.