Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Science, Kharazmi University, Karaj, Iran
2
Office of Wildlife Conservation and Management, Deputy of Natural Environment, Department of
3
Office of Wildlife Conservation and Management, Deputy of Natural Environment, Department of Environment, Tehran, Iran
4
Wildlife Office of the General Department of Environmental Protection of Sistan and Baluchestan, Zahedan, Iran
5
Chabahar Environmental Protection Office, Sistan and Baluchestan General Department of Environmental Protection, Chabahar, Iran
Abstract
The aim of this study is providing a baseline population data on the vulnerable species of marsh crocodile Crocodylus palustris with no documented information on the population status of the species in Iran. Results of three years population survey and habitat evaluation of marsh crocodile, in westernmost distribution limits of the species at south eastern Iran, Sistan and Baluchistan Province, at Gando Protected Area as the main distribution area for the species has provided here at this study. Totally, 43 stations all located inside Gando Protected Area for this species has visited and evaluated during three years of 2012, 2015 and 2016 and recording 326, 402 and 355 individuals during 2012, 2015 and 2016 respectively, indicating a relatively stable population status in general view. With disjunct suitable habitats, about 43 of 43 visited stations contained the species (but mostly with small and isolated populations less than 5 individuals), but during subsequent years, 17 of 43 stations (during 2015) and 27 of 43 stations (during 2016) were contained crocodile individuals due to fully drought the habitats. The most important reason for the lack of presence and sighting of this species in the years after 2012 in the region is the spread and prevalence of drought periods, which has caused the drying of the waterways' sub-channels and the loss of the viability of this species. Habitat evaluations, potential threats and population status of the species in all visited stations have provided in this study.
Keywords
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