The Tumbes crocodile, a critically endangered species, has found a vital refuge in northern Peru, where more than 300 of these reptiles are being protected by a conservation program designed to ensure their survival.
Facing threats such as illegal hunting, pollution, and the loss of their natural habitat, the conservation center has become an essential pillar for the recovery of this region’s emblematic species.
The Tuna Carranza Center houses more than 300 Tumbes crocodiles, playing a crucial role in preventing their extinction in the country.
Tumbes crocodiles struggle for survival against devastating threats like poachers and mining, which have severely affected their habitat.
Due to the scarcity of fish in the polluted rivers, these predators are forced to approach urban areas in search of food, creating tensions with the local population.
The Tuna Carranza Aquaculture Center, located in Puerto Pizarro, Tumbes, currently houses 321 Tumbes crocodiles (Crocodylus acutus), distributed in several enclosures.
Established in 1996 with 40 captured specimens, the center has been a reference in conservation, research, and education since then.
Classified as critically endangered in Peru, the crocodiles are protected under CITES Appendix I, which prohibits their international trade.
Illegal hunting for skin and meat and the reduction of their habitat due to agroindustry are significant threats to these animals.
Tumbes Crocodiles in Danger of Extinction
The pollution of the Tumbes River by mining reduces the availability of fish, affecting the entire food chain of the ecosystem.
The scarcity of fish impacts not only the crocodiles but also other bird species that depend on them.
This imbalance forces the crocodiles to move closer to human settlements or towards the ocean, increasing the risks for them and for local communities.
Despite the challenges, conservation efforts are showing positive results, with more frequent sightings of crocodiles in areas that previously did not host them.
However, the recent seizure of hatchlings intended for illegal trafficking shows that threats still persist, making recovery fragile.
At the center, specific protocols are employed for the care of crocodiles from birth, including customized diets and detailed veterinary analyses.
Young crocodiles receive meals adapted to their growth, while adults are fed chicken and fish, along with vitamin supplements.
The center also conducts behavioral studies and water monitoring, becoming a key point for scientific research.
With the center operating at full capacity, captive breeding has been halted, which hinders efforts to increase the population.
The territorial behavior of adult crocodiles means they need large spaces, complicating population growth without an expansion of the facilities.
Maintaining the center costs about $150,000 annually, an investment covered by Fondepes.
A proposal to transfer management to the Regional Government of Tumbes is currently stalled due to administrative issues.
Although there are more crocodiles in the wild than in previous decades, the trafficking of hatchlings continues to overshadow these achievements. The lack of space and necessary funds prevents assisted reproduction.
The critically endangered Tumbes crocodile represents a challenge and an opportunity for Peruvian biodiversity. Its future survival depends on continuing and expanding current conservation efforts.
