Saltwater crocodiles raised in captivity and released into the Bangladesh Sundarbans mangrove forest are surprisingly settling into the wild instead of attempting to return to their breeding facility, a new study reveals. This finding suggests a potential shift in conservation strategies, favoring the release of larger, mature crocodiles over vulnerable hatchlings to restore depleted populations.
Crocodiles are known for their strong homing instincts, often returning to capture sites, which has hindered previous relocation programs. However, research led by behavioral ecologist and Adjunct Associate Professor Ru Somaweera of Murdoch University, indicates that this behavior may not extend to crocodiles bred or raised in captivity. The study took place in the Sundarbans, a crucial refuge for saltwater crocodiles in Bangladesh.
The saltwater crocodile population in Bangladesh drastically declined due to commercial hunting for their skins until the 1970s. While legally protected since 1973, the population has not recovered significantly. Current estimates place the number of mature individuals in the Sundarbans at just 140.
Associate Professor Somaweera explained that if captive-bred crocodiles consistently return to their enclosures after release, reintroduction efforts would be unsuccessful. Traditionally, conservationists have used hatchlings for reintroduction, but these have low survival rates and take a long time to reach reproductive maturity. The research suggests that utilizing larger, captive-bred crocodiles could be a more effective approach. “If crocodiles who are bred and raised in captivity subsequently return to their enclosures or breeding facilities after being released, attempts to reintroduce them into the wild as part of conservation efforts will ultimately fail,” Somaweera said.
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