Nuevos datos sobre la presencia de caimán llanero (<em>Crocodylus intermedius<em>) y notas sobre su comportamiento en el río Vichada, Orinoquia (Colombia)

Abstract

During 2010 and 2011 diurnal and nocturnal surveys were conducted in the drainages of the Meta and Vichada rivers (Colombian Orinoco Basin) to update the information about the conservation status of the Orinoco crocodile’s populations in the wild. Between November 2010 and March 2011 stretches of six watercourses of the Meta river Basin and a stretch of the Vichada river were sampled, covering 2460.3 km, and 199.2 km of nocturnal censuses were traveled. Six observations were made in the Vichada river, corresponding to two individuals (one seen twice, the other seen four times) and crocodile tracks were found on two beaches. Additionally, territorial behavior of one of the individuals observed was registered. No crocodiles were seen in the stretches of the Meta River, or any of its tributaries surveyed. Apparently, the populations in the areas studied have not recovered since 1994-1997, the last time data were obtained, probably due to the annual plundering of nests, the destruction of habitat and the accidental or deliberate death of individuals.

Keywords

• Crocodylidae
• Nuevos registros
• Río Vichada
• Comportamiento territorial
• Orinoquia
• Colombia